HISD administrators had a special surprise planned for two HISD instructional coaches on Thursday as administrators dropped by their classrooms to present them with the third annual Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Awards. 

Ambreen Ali, literacy instructional specialist at Meyerland Middle School, was the winner of the campus-level award. Rogelio Martinez, Teacher Development Specialist in the HISD’s Secondary Curriculum and Development Department, was the winner at the districtwide level. 

The late Ann Sledge, a lifelong educator who dedicated more than 30 years to HISD, created a successful model of exemplary coaching. In honor of Sledge, one campus-level and one districtwide instructional coach are selected annually to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to building instructional capacity and positively impacting student achievement. 

“The late Ann Sledge made such a huge impact at the district and she leaves behind a strong legacy from her role as a coach and instructional leader,” said Director of Early Childhood Mechiel Rozas.  

The Ann Sledge winners will be formally recognized at the district’s Educators of the Year celebration on Friday, May 17, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.