Amber Hernandez spent her first year teaching fifth-grade science at Amanda Rochell Elementary, and the results landed her two honors in the same week.

The district announced Thursday, Aug. 20, that Hernandez was named a Milestone Electric Power a Classroom Teacher, an award that comes with $1,000 toward her classroom Amazon Wishlist. Around Aug. 14, Rochell Elementary learned it had earned a Texas Education Agency Academic Achievement distinction in fifth-grade science on the 2026 STAAR exam.

It was her first year in that role.

Hernandez previously taught pre-kindergarten at Rochell before switching to fifth-grade science for the 2025-2026 school year, according to the school's post. The campus earned its science distinction with Hernandez leading that classroom from day one.

She wasn't the only Rochell teacher recognized. Art teacher Elizabeth Churchill also received a Milestone Electric Power a Classroom award the same day. The program selects 10 Rockwall ISD teachers per cycle, each receiving $1,000 for classroom supplies, according to a Milestone Electric Instagram post describing the program.

Rochell's distinction fits a district-wide surge

Rochell's fifth-grade science recognition is part of a broader jump for Rockwall ISD. The district earned 32 TEA distinctions in 2026, more than double the 13 it received in 2025, according to the district's Aug. 14 announcement. The district's overall accountability rating rose to 91, up from 87 in 2024.

Superintendent Dr. John Villarreal, in that Aug. 14 post celebrating the ratings, called the gains deliberate: "This work is intentional, meaningful, and forever important because every student deserves our very best in education."

All three district high schools earned A ratings in 2026: Rockwall High School (96), Rockwall-Heath High School (95) and Rockwall Quest Academy (92).

Churchill's and Hernandez's $1,000 awards go toward their classroom Amazon Wishlists for the 2026-2027 school year.