WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Outstanding educators from across Central Texas gathered Tuesday evening as Education Service Center Region 12 hosted a reception honoring nominees and naming its regional Teachers of the Year.

Keima Zapata, a reading interventionist at China Spring Elementary School, was named Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Jessica Cuellar, who teaches high school business and accounting in Temple ISD, was awarded Region 12 Secondary Teacher of the Year.