Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) proudly announces the winners of the 2026 Teacher of the Year competition, honoring two outstanding educators whose passion and dedication are shaping young minds for a bright future.

Dunia Camperos Diaz and Zachary Zeringue have been named SBISD’s 2026 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively.

Dunia Camperos Diaz, the 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year, brings energy and a love of learning to Spring Branch Elementary (SBE), where she serves as a designated dyslexia resource teacher. With more than a decade of experience in education, Camperos Diaz is dedicated to supporting students through personalized instruction and a deep commitment to their growth. 

Before joining SBISD, Camperos Diaz worked in Alief ISD as a bilingual teacher in second, third and fourth grades in both self-contained and departmentalized settings. She was named Teacher of the Year at Betty Best Elementary in 2016.

In SBISD, she began at Shadow Oaks Elementary (SOE) as a second-grade bilingual teacher before joining Spring Branch Elementary (SBE). Over the years, she has served in first-grade bilingual classrooms, special education bilingual resource and now in her current dyslexia-focused role.

Camperos Diaz felt called to work that would make a deeper, more meaningful impact on her community. After shifting from corporate and nonprofit roles, she discovered a passion for teaching. Committed to helping students feel supported, empowered and inspired, she completed her alternative certification through Region 4.

Zachary Zeringue, the 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year, teaches at Spring Woods Middle School (SWMS), where he has spent all six years of his career in education with SBISD.

Zeringue’s passion for teaching began early, influenced by his mother, who was also an educator. Although he initially pursued a different career path in international shipping logistics in New York City, he found himself drawn back to education while teaching ESL classes in the evenings. He made the decision to return to Houston and pursue teaching full time.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from the City University of New York, graduating with highest honors, and completed his alternative certification through Region 4.

Zeringue is known for creating meaningful classroom experiences that connect with students and encourage them to grow both academically and personally.

“We are proud of our Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year,” Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Blaine said. “These educators make a difference every day, embodying our commitment to Every Child and helping students reach their full potential.”

Both Camperos Diaz and Zeringue will represent SBISD in the Teachers of the Year competition, with the opportunity to advance to the state and national levels.

This year’s awards were sponsored by First Community Credit Union, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union and Group1 Automotive. Representatives from each organization were present during the surprise recognitions at Camperos Diaz’s and Zeringue’s campuses.

More

• View the photo gallery of the surprise announcements here.
• For more information about all SBISD 2026 Campus Teachers of the Year, click here.
• View a special digital publication celebrating our amazing educators here.