Aldine ISD’s Georgina Foroi Named 2026 Distinguished Educator of the Year by Sam Houston State University

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From paraprofessional to principal to district executive director, Georgina Foroi’s 21-year journey in Aldine Independent School District has come full circle — and now, statewide recognition is following.

Foroi, Aldine ISD’s executive director of professional learning and leadership development, has been named one of six 2026 Distinguished Educators of the Year by the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) College of Education. The Distinguished Educator of the Year (DEOY) Award is the highest honor the college bestows upon its alumni.

The university will honor Foroi and five other recipients during the DEOY Gala on March 28 at SHSU’s Lowman Student Center in Huntsville.

“This recognition is a powerful chapter in the #AldineStory,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “Mrs. Foroi’s leadership reflects what we believe in Aldine ISD — investing in people, growing leaders from within, and ensuring that every student and family has access to opportunity. Her journey is an exemplification of the impact of commitment, heart, and hard work.”

Foroi said the honor represents more than her own journey, but the collective work of the Aldine community.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition from Sam Houston State University,” Foroi said. “Aldine ISD is home. It’s where I learned, where I grew, and where I have been blessed to serve for more than two decades. This award reflects the mentors who poured into me, the teams I’ve worked alongside, and the families who trust us with their children each day. Leadership, to me, is about service — and I remain committed to developing leaders who will continue advancing opportunities for every Aldine student.”

A Career Built in Aldine

Foroi’s professional story began in Aldine ISD as a paraprofessional. Over the next two decades, she served as a bilingual teacher, reading specialist, campus behavior coordinator, assistant principal, and principal before moving into district leadership.

In 2023, she was named executive director of the district’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department. Under her leadership, FACE expanded partnerships with families, community organizations, and business leaders to strengthen student success across the district.

Through initiatives such as Family and Community University (FCU), the department implemented English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for adults, Spanish conversation classes, citizenship courses, and empowerment-based workshops for families. The initiative earned Aldine ISD the Promising Practice Award from Region 16.

In 2025, Foroi transitioned into her current role as executive director of professional learning and leadership development, where she now supports leadership growth and instructional excellence across the district. She also serves on the Superintendent’s Executive Leadership Impact Team.

Her leadership goes beyond Aldine. Foroi is a member of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Superintendent Leadership Academy, serves on the Association of Latinx Leaders in Aldine Board, and is a cohort member of Holdsworth Leadership Development. She is also a doctoral and superintendent candidate in the Educational Leadership program at SHSU.

Honoring Leadership That Transcends the Classroom

According to SHSU’s College of Education, this year’s honorees “exemplify leadership which transcends the classroom” and are shaping the future of education while inspiring future generations.

For Aldine ISD, that description resonates deeply.

Foroi’s work has steadily centered on strengthening connections among schools, families, and the community — ensuring that leadership development and professional learning translate directly into improved learner outcomes.

Her commendation by SHSU underscores Aldine ISD’s commitment to growing its own leaders and aligning professional development with the district’s strategic priorities.

As Aldine continues to accelerate opportunities for students and staff alike, Foroi’s journey is a reminder that leadership is not only about titles — it’s about service, growth, and lasting impact.

And in Aldine ISD, that story is still being written.