BANGS, Texas — A Bangs High School teacher is among the finalists for the 2027 Texas Teacher of the Year, earning statewide recognition from a profession that runs deep in his family.
Caleb Gamblin, an agricultural sciences teacher at Bangs High School, was nominated by Bangs High School Principal Stephanie Garrett and submitted to the regional competition. He was selected as the Region 15 Teacher of the Year before advancing to the statewide competition through the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).
A Bangs High School teacher is among the finalists for the 2027 Texas Teacher of the Year (KTXS/Briannagh Dennehy).
Gamblin said the recognition carries particular significance because of the number of educators in his family.
“It’s a massive honor for me,” he said. “My wife is a teacher. My parents are teachers. My sister is a teacher. My grandma is a teacher. I also have an aunt who was a teacher.”
Caleb Gamblin is an agricultural sciences teacher at Bangs High School (KTXS/Briannagh Dennehy).
The statewide selection includes teachers from all grade levels. Three elementary teachers and three secondary teachers were chosen as finalists. The process will ultimately narrow the field to one elementary and one secondary teacher before a single Texas Teacher of the Year is selected.
For Gamblin, being an exceptional teacher starts with the example he sets for his students.
“I want to be that positive role model for my students,” he said. “It’s really awesome to be able to see those students not only succeed in class, but get out in the world and succeed in life.”
The winner is set to be announced on Oct. 16 (KTXS/Briannagh Dennehy).
Coming from a smaller school, Gamblin says reaching the statewide competition is especially meaningful.
“Some of the other finalists are from much bigger schools, including teachers who have won in the past,” Gamblin said. “It’s really neat to see someone like me, who comes from a small school like this, receive the honor.”
Gamblin will now move forward in the statewide competition, with the winner set to be announced on Oct. 16.