Texas Teacher of the Year Trained in the College’s UTeach Program

Christine Mihealsick (B.S., ’02, M.A. ’06), a graduate of the UTeach Natural Sciences program at The University of Texas at Austin, has been recognized as the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year. She was chosen from among 384,000 educators in Texas for this year’s award and will represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program. 

UTeach is an award-winning STEM teacher development program, founded in UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences nearly three decades ago. It has since expanded to 50 universities in 23 states through the UTeach Institute.

Mihealsick teaches environmental science and heads the science department at Westwood High School in Round Rock, Texas, and is a 23-year teaching veteran. 

“Texas is a big, diverse, and energetic state,” Mihealsick said. “I’m so proud of the work that we do educating the 5.5 million public school students that call our schools home. … My students are why I do what I do. Their energy, their curiosity, their enthusiasm and their teenage passion for life keep me going day after day, trying to support their dreams.”

Erin Campbell, principal at Westwood High School, described Mihealsick as “a fierce advocate for kids, educators and public education.”

In her role as science department chair, Mihealsick participates in hiring teachers, and she credits UTeach for helping her and her fellow alumni become powerful and effective teachers and leaders.

“I have seen over and over again that UTeach is the platinum standard for math and science teacher preparation,” said the Round Rock Independent School District teacher.

The Texas Teacher of the Year award selection is facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators on behalf of the State of Texas. The national award is administered by the Council of Chief State School Officers and helps to recognize teachers’ “dedication in the classroom, amplify their voices to advocate for the profession and empower …educators to participate in policy discussions to improve education for all children.” 

Speaking at the award ceremony, Mihealsick said, “Education is not often an easy job, but everybody in this room has a deep and abiding passion for kids. I will do my very, very best to represent the very, very best of you in public education.”