Kylee Merrick reacts after being named Wylie ISD’s Elementary Paraprofessional of the Year during the Wylie Way Awards Gala Friday, May 8, at the Plano Event Center. Merrick works at Hartman Early Childhood Learning Center. Courtesy Wylie ISD

Wylie ISD celebrated its employees Friday night during the 10th annual Wylie Way Awards Gala at the Plano Event Center, recognizing 2025-26 Wylie Way winners, Teachers of the Year, Paraprofessionals of the Year, retirees and longtime staff members whose service has shaped the district for decades

Districtwide honors went to Cox Elementary teacher Kati Ozols, named Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Davis Intermediate educator Julianne Zuniga, named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Hartman Early Childhood Learning Center’s Kylee Merrick was recognized as Elementary Paraprofessional of the Year, while Achieve Academy’s Harold Lacey earned Secondary Paraprofessional of the Year honors.

The annual gala, attended by district leaders, trustees, educators and community supporters, also highlighted employees reaching milestone years of service and recognized 49 retirees, who together represented more than 890 combined years of dedication to Wylie ISD.

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