Texas Educator Michelle Esquivel Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2026 Fellows Program

SAN ANTONIO, TX (August 12, 2025) — NIET is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2026 NIET Fellows cohort, launching a dynamic one-year program to help selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their school and district. Among the distinguished fellows is Michelle Esquivel from Neil Armstrong Elementary of South San Antonio Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. 

“I’m excited to invite Michelle Esquivel into our second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program,” said NIET CEO Dr. Joshua Barnett. “For 25 years, we have seen the work of effective educators, like those joining us in this fellows program, be the driver of success within schools, districts, and communities. We look forward to learning alongside Michelle and this cohort by providing opportunities to elevate instructional practices and apply them within and beyond their classrooms.”

Esquivel was one of just 11 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She is a dedicated educator with 25 years of experience serving in diverse roles, including Pre-K, Special Education, 2nd and 4th grades, instructional specialist, coordinator, and is most recently entering the role of Master Teacher for the 2025-26 school year. 

“I’m honored to be a part of this NIET Fellows Program cohort and continue to elevate my teacher leadership skills,” Esquivel said. “Teacher leadership allows educators to be part of meaningful change from within the classroom. For me, it has meant having a voice in shaping school culture and instructional practices, leading to stronger teacher effectiveness and improved student achievement.”

Prior to her role as Master Teacher, Esquivel served as a district academic coordinator for two years in South San Antonio ISD. A proud second-generation American and the first in her family to graduate from high school and earn a Bachelor’s degree, Esquivel is deeply committed to education’s transformative power. She began her career serving as a paraprofessional for 14 years at Beacon Hill Elementary School - the very school she once attended - and has remained focused on empowering both students and fellow educators through every stage of her journey.

“Michelle’s acceptance into the NIET Fellows Program reflects her commitment to strengthening teacher effectiveness and instruction and empowering students in their work,” said South San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Saul Hinojosa. “Michelle has shown an unwavering connection to her school community, and we are excited for her to have this opportunity to grow as a professional and bring that learning back to our teachers and students.”

The NIET Fellows Program was created with educator effectiveness in mind, bringing together teacher leaders from partner schools nationwide who demonstrate exceptional implementation of NIET's principles, emphasizing educator excellence and advancing student success. Throughout the year-long fellowship, fellows will participate in professional development activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, including an introductory boot camp and involvement with two signature NIET events throughout the year - the 2026 NIET National Conference and the 2026 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will regionally travel to shadow NIET’s Senior Specialists while maintaining their full-time employment status, including salary and benefits, with their respective districts, while being released to participate in program activities throughout the year.

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honor our partners’ success and share the results of intentional, sustained investments in educator effectiveness. Learn more in our anniversary report, Building Educator Excellence: 25 Years of Impact. 

Read more about the NIET Fellows Program and meet the other 2026 fellows on the NIET website.