Andy Tucker to Receive the Sherry Hamilton Gifted Educator of the Year Award 

9/22/2026 10:24 pm

GC-SAGE and the Hamilton Family are thrilled to announce that Andy Tucker, 7th and 8th grade ASPIRE Social Studies teacher at Cross Timbers Middle School, is the recipient of the 2025–2026 Sherry Hamilton GT Educator of the Year Award! Named in memory of beloved GCISD GT educator Sherry Hamilton, this award celebrates educators who spark curiosity, foster deep critical thinking, and empower gifted learners to stretch beyond their limits.

Mr. Tucker transforms his CTMS classroom into an environment where zany creativity meets rigorous academic engagement. Whether dressed as a historical figure, challenging students to design ads for mystery products, or using his famous “Tucker Tests” to push critical thinking, he brings learning off the page. As one parent shared, his unique style "makes ideas memorable and meaningful," instilling lessons that students carry with them long after leaving his classroom.

Over a remarkable 25-year teaching career, Mr. Tucker has built a legacy of respecting student ideas and empowering young minds. The long-term impact of his mentorship was captured best by a former student—now serving as the Director of the Governor’s Office of New Americans in Illinois:

“The foundational skills of my work can be traced back to the lessons I learned in Coach T’s class—how to approach problems boldly, plan a course of action, and execute with a team... His class showed us the power of GT learning before we even really knew what that meant.”

Please join us in celebrating Andy Tucker for a quarter-century of extraordinary passion, leadership, and dedication to GCISD students!

What is the Sherry Hamilton Award? 

Learn more about the history of the award here.