This year, Conroe ISD added a new districtwide initiative known as the Texas Standard Awards. The award ceremony recognized students, teachers and paraprofessionals whose actions were representative of the district’s core values. Each campus nominated one student, teacher and paraprofessional to receive the award.
Vinson developed the award to recognize and highlight individuals who help shape a positive campus community according to the Conroe ISD website. These are people who, instead of being defined by tests and titles, help make a school community what it is. The Texas Standard award is centered around eight different values: respect, responsibility, caring, giving, grit, preparation, gratitude and celebration.
In April, two Woodlands High School staff members received a Texas Standard award recognizing them as representatives for the 2025-26 school year.
On April 11, Sonia Wilks received a Texas Standard award and was officially recognized as the Texas Standard Teacher for the 2025-26 school year. For Wilks, the award recognized the passion and consistency she brings into the classroom every day. Her recognition focused on characteristics such as caring, giving, respect and responsibility.
Wilks currently teaches dual credit anatomy at TWHS after previously working as both a nurse and nurse practitioner before transitioning into education. Though teaching was never originally part of her plan, she said the classroom became the place where she felt she was meant to be.
“I think caring equals empathy,” Wilks said. “If students know that you care for them and can empathize with them, they’re going to connect with what you’re teaching.”
Wilks said one of the most important parts of teaching is creating an environment where students feel included and supported, especially in rigorous courses such as anatomy.
“I believe you can take any sophisticated course and make it where everybody has a chance to learn and understand,” Wilks said. “I want my classroom to feel like a place where students are cared for and supported.”
Wilks’ impact transcends the lessons in the classroom. It is the small acts of service to her students and her school that made her an award winner. Beyond teaching anatomy, she hopes students leave her classroom remembering both the material and the support they received while learning it.
“I hope they remember how much I loved them and cared for them while they were my students,” Wilks said.
In addition to Wilks, Carly Dougherty, Woodlands High School’s athletic secretary, also received an award at the April 11 award ceremony. Dougherty was honored as a Texas Standard Paraprofessional for the 2025-26 school year.
Dougherty was chosen to be an award winner because of her devotion and leadership within the athletic department. Her responsibilities as an athletic secretary are extensive. She works to help the coaches; athletes and the athletic department stay as organized and prepared as possible throughout the entire school year.
“The goal is always to support our coaches, athletes and community in any way I can,” Dougherty said.
Dougherty’s contributions are seen as an important aspect of TWHS athletics. The daily support she provides and the organization she helps maintain are the backbone of the athletic department. Though most of her responsibilities happen behind the scenes, the contribution she makes to TWHS is significant.
“People do not always see how much work happens behind the scenes to keep an athletic program running smoothly,” Dougherty said. “It truly is a 24/7 job, but seeing the students and programs succeed makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”
Wilks and Dougherty both demonstrate leadership in different ways. One is recognized by her direct involvement in the classroom, while the other is recognized by her work behind the scenes and the support she offers the school. The Texas Standard award has proven that there is no singular leadership profile.
The first annual Conroe ISD Texas Standard award ceremony reflects the purpose of the initiative: recognizing people in Conroe ISD who make their campus, and community as a whole, a better place by demonstrating values such as integrity, respect, compassion and diligence.
