The Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts is proud to honor Sara Du Plaga as the 2026 Middle School Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes exceptional educators whose instructional excellence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students elevate teaching and learning across their campuses and communities. Ms. Du Plaga exemplifies these qualities through nearly two decades of service at North Shore Middle School in Galena Park ISD.

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An accomplished classroom teacher and instructional leader, Ms. Du Plaga creates learning environments where students feel safe, valued, and capable of success. Her classroom is intentionally designed to meet the needs of every learner, blending structure with flexibility and rigor with care. Teaching in a co-teach setting for many years, she has mastered the art of differentiation and scaffolding, using data to make immediate instructional decisions that move learning forward. From individualized STAAR preparation materials aligned to specific TEKS to small-group instruction grounded in real-time assessment, her precision and intentionality consistently produce strong outcomes for students.

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Beyond data, Ms. Du Plaga understands that relationships are the foundation of learning. She engages reluctant learners through creativity, joy, and authenticity, inviting students to share their lives through writing, celebrating effort, and fostering a classroom culture rooted in trust. Her calm, steady presence and belief in every child inspire students to invest in their growth because they know she is fully invested in them.

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Ms. Du Plaga’s impact extends far beyond her own classroom. As ELA Department Chair, longtime coach, and mentor to new teachers, she has shaped campus culture and strengthened instructional practice schoolwide. She has presented professional learning, collaborated with colleagues at TCTELA, and guided educators with humility and a coach’s mindset, always seeking feedback and growth even after years of success. Teaching on an “A” rated campus serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged and Emergent Bilingual population, she has played a vital role in sustaining excellence and equity.

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Sara Du Plaga is a teacher’s teacher, a leader’s leader, and a tireless advocate for students. TCTELA is honored to recognize her extraordinary dedication, instructional mastery, and lasting influence with the Middle School Teacher of the Year Award.