June
26,
2026
Program
Recognizes
Teachers
Who
Inspire
Potential
Future
Physicians
The
Texas
Medical
Association
(TMA)
is
honoring
four
exceptional
Texas
science
teachers
with
the
2026
TMA
Ernest
and
Sarah
Butler
Awards
for
Excellence
in
Science
Teaching.
TMA
awarded
the
educators
–
Peter
Nguyen
of
Houston,
Dustin
Perez
of
Porter,
Jude
Xeres
Herbolario
of
Houston,
and
Meylis
Atayev
of
San
Antonio
–
at
a
ceremony
in
Austin
on
Friday.
TMA
honored
one
instructor
each
from
the
elementary,
middle,
and
high
school
levels,
and
one
grand
prize
winner.
For
more
than
35
years,
TMA
has
recognized
teachers
who
spark
scientific
interest
in
their
students,
potentially
encouraging
them
to
pursue
careers
in
medicine.
Long-time
benefactors
Dr.
Ernest
and
Mrs.
Sarah
Butler
of
Austin
make
the
awards
possible.
“This
program
has
spotlighted
the
vital
role
educators
play
in
helping
future
generations
appreciate
and
understand
the
many
ways
science
impacts
our
daily
lives,
including
the
inspiration
for
future
physicians,”
TMA
Foundation
President
Clifford
Moy,
MD,
told
the
teachers
during
the
awards
ceremony.
“Your
dedication,
passion,
and
steadfast
commitment
to
excellence
in
teaching
science
will
significantly
influence
the
future,
including
inspiring
a
new
generation
to
pursue
medical
professions
that
enhance
the
health
and
well-being
of
all
Texans,”
TMA
President
Bradford
W.
Holland,
MD,
told
the
honorees
during
the
ceremony.
Grand
Prize
Winner: Peter
Nguyen,
who
teaches
physics
at
Alief
Early
College
High
School in
Houston.
Mr.
Nguyen
creates
a
dynamic
and
engaging
classroom
environment
where
students
are
challenged
through
hands-on
science
labs
that
bring
complex
concepts
to
life.
Guided
by
a
teaching
philosophy
rooted
in
empathy
and
leading
by
example,
Mr.
Nguyen
fosters
a
supportive
classroom
culture
where
he
encourages
students
to
learn
from
mistakes,
ask
thoughtful
questions,
and
focus
on
growth
rather
than
simply
finding
the
“right”
answer.
This
approach
helps
them
build
confidence,
curiosity,
and
a
lasting
understanding
of
science.
Distinguished
Award
Honoree: Dustin
Perez,
who
teaches
science
to
fifth-graders
at
Crippen
Elementary
School in
New
Caney
Independent
School
District in
Porter,
north
of
Houston.
Throughout
his
career,
Mr.
Perez
has
taught
kindergarten,
second
grade,
fourth
grade,
and
fifth
grade,
giving
him
a
unique
understanding
of
how
students
grow
and
learn
at
every
stage.
In
his
classroom,
students
experience
hands-on
learning
through
interactive
games,
model
building,
outdoor
exploration,
and
opportunities
for
student
choice.
Beyond
the
classroom,
Mr.
Perez
helps
students
stay
excited
about
science
by
hosting
monthly
Science
Discovery
Nights,
leading
after-school
science
clubs,
and
organizing
the
school’s
science
fair.
These
activities
give
students
opportunities
to
explore
their
interests
and
learn
more
about
careers
in
science.
Distinguished
Award
Honoree:
Jude
Xerxes
Herbolario,
who
teaches
eighth-grade
science
at
Houston’s Baylor
College
of
Medicine
Academy
at
Ryan,
a
magnet
middle
school
in
the
Houston
Independent
School
District.
With
experience
as
a
biotech
professional,
Mr.
Herbolario
brings
real-world
knowledge
to
his
classroom.
He
creates
opportunities
for
students
to
collaborate
on
science
projects,
including
international
partnerships
with
a
school
in
the
Philippines
where
students
exchange
ideas
and
discuss
research
across
time
zones.
He
also
supports
students
in
presenting
their
work
at
events
such
as
the
Science
and
Engineering
Fair
of
Houston
and
the
Texas
Science
and
Engineering
Fair.
Under
his
mentorship,
students
have
earned
recognition,
including
the
2025
Space
Junior
Scientist
Award
for
a
space
travel
research
proposal.
Distinguished
Award
Honoree:
Meylis
Atayev,
who
teaches
physics
and
aerospace
engineering
at
the
SST
San
Antonio
College
Prep
High
School
in
the
School
of
Science
and
Technology
District.
Mr.
Atayev
designs
engaging
lessons
and
projects
that
help
students
explore
complex
scientific
concepts
through
collaboration
and
problem-solving.
One
unique
aspect
of
his
classroom
is
his
use
of
engineering-based
projects,
such
as
a
projectile
motion
unit
where
students
design
and
test
air-powered
launchers
in
preparation
for
Science
Olympiad
competitions.
Through
hundreds
of
trials,
students
learn
persistence
and
teamwork.
The
unit
ultimately
helped
the
school
earn
its
first-ever
medal
in
the
Air
Trajectory
event
at
the
Rice
University
regional
competition.
Each
honoree
receives
a
cash
award
of
up
to
$20,000
and
a
resource
grant
for
his
or
her
school.
Award
namesakes
Dr.
Ernest
and
Mrs.
Sarah
Butler
fund
the
TMA
awards
because
of
their
belief
in
the
value
of
public
education.
They
established
an
endowment
at
the
TMA
Foundation,
which
supports
philanthropic
efforts
aligning
with
TMA’s
mission,
in
1998
to
support
and
expand
the
program.
A
TMAF
grant
funds
the
annual
awards
through
the
endowment
and
gifts
from
other
physicians
and
their
families.
The
2027
awards are
now
open
for
nominations
by
any
member
of
the
public.
For
more
information,
visit
TMA’s
science
teacher
awards page.
The
TMA
Foundation
accepts tax-deductible
donations to
support
the awards..
TMA
Foundation supports
philanthropic
efforts
aligning
with
TMA’s
vision
and
funds
TMA’s
population
health,
science,
and
community
outreach
initiatives.
Its
Champion
of
Health
award
is
named
after
the
late
John
P.
McGovern,
MD,
a
philanthropist,
scholar,
and
allergist
who
founded
the
John
P.
McGovern
Foundation
in
Houston.
Dr.
McGovern
established
a
permanent
endowment
at
TMAF,
which
supports
this
award.
TMA is
the
largest
state
medical
society
in
the
nation,
representing
more
than
60,000
physician
and
medical
student
members.
It
is
located
in
Austin
and
has
110
component
county
medical
societies
around
the
state.
TMA’s
key
objective
since
1853
is
to
improve
the
health
of
all
Texans.
-30-
TMA
Contacts: Brent
Annear
(512)
370-1381;
(512)
656-7320;
brent.annear@texmed.org
Swathi
Narayanan
(512)
370-1382;
(408)
987-1318;
swathi.narayanan@texmed.org