Bang Caleb Gamblin named TASA Secondary Teacher of the Year

Bangs ISD’s Caleb Gamblin was named the 2027 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year on Friday by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Gamblin teaches agricultural sciences at Bangs High School in Bangs ISD, where he emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking and giving students opportunities to grow through both failure and success. Gamblin holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University. Throughout his career, he has coached numerous successful student teams, including four state champion agricultural mechanics teams. One placed fourth in the nation in 2019, and another placed sixth nationally in 2021. He also coached the 2023 state champion Tractor Technician team. In the classroom and shop, Gamblin challenges students to solve problems, learn from experience, and build confidence through practical application. His teaching philosophy centers on the belief that meaningful success develops through persistence, growth and hands-on learning. To achieve recognition as Texas Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year, a teacher must first be chosen as a campus and district teacher of the year, then a regional honoree. From the group of 40 regional teachers of the year, six finalists are chosen and interviewed by an independent panel of judges composed of representatives of education associations, community and business leaders, a member of the State Board for Educator Certification, a member of the State Board of Education, and prior Texas Teachers of the Year. The state’s top elementary and secondary teachers are selected from these six finalists, and the Texas nominee for National Teacher of the Year is chosen from the top two winners. In 2015, Texas Teacher of the Year Shanna Peeples of Amarillo ISD was the second Texas teacher to be named the National Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year program has honored excellence in classroom education since 1969 and continues to annually recognize and reward teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching.