Courtesy of AHISD
Braden Cain, history teacher at Alamo Heights High School, is the 2025 Alamo Heights ISD Teacher of the Year.
Cain joined Alamo Heights ISD in 2023 and currently teaches World History and US History. He began his teaching career in Florida in 2020.
Though he initially thought of becoming a public defender, it was during his time in graduate school working in youth and young adult ministry that he reconsidered his career path. He comes from a family of educators, including his mother who was a high school principal and his grandfather who was a principal and longtime school board member.
“The running joke in my family is that I never wanted to join ‘the family business,’” Cain says. “I thought it required too much emotional energy and demanded too many hours to be a practical career choice. Life is funny that way. What I’ve learned since then is that there is nothing in this world I would rather be than a teacher. The emotional energy poured into students helps them see the world through new perspectives. The hours spent designing and innovating bring me joy and excitement. I am proud to say that I have fallen in love with the family business.”’
Cain will represent AHISD as the district’s nominee for the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Region 20 Teacher of the Year.
“As a third-generation educator, Braden has embraced his calling with energy and devotion, making an indelible mark on the lives of his students and colleagues,” says AHHS Principal Cory Smith. “As his proud principal, I can honestly say he is among the best and brightest teachers I have known in my 27 years of public education. This recognition is a testament to the profound impact he has on our school community.”
In November, each campus hosted a Teacher of the Year nomination process and selected one teacher who exemplifies the Profile of a Learner to represent their campus this year. A Selection Committee of AHISD teachers and staff met in January to select the District Teacher of the Year.
All five campus teachers of the year were recognized at the January 15 Board Meeting, where the District Teacher of the Year was announced.
The 2025 Campus Teachers of the Year are:
Alamo Heights HS – Braden Cain, Social Studies teacher
Alamo Heights Junior School – Kimberly Brady, Math teacher
Cambridge Elementary – Barry Adame-LeMaitre, 3rd grade teacher
Woodridge Elementary – Kim Holland, 2nd grade teacher
Howard ECC – Jaeleen Fullen, Physical Education teacher
