San Antonio, Texas (October 3, 2025) – Ahead of World Teachers’ Day on October 5, Dunkin’® of San Antonio honored one of the region’s most inspiring educators with a special surprise celebration.

On Friday morning, Carlos Perez, a sixth and seventh-grade teacher at Judith A. Resnik Middle School, was recognized by Dunkin’ franchisee Andy Ali for his dedication to students and his distinction as one of only three statewide secondary school finalists for the 2026 Texas Teacher of the Year award.

At a 10:15 a.m. school ceremony, Perez was presented with Free Coffee for a Year to help keep him fueled through the school year. Dunkin’ also surprised him with custom donuts decorated with his photo, branded merchandise, and additional gifts. To celebrate alongside him, Dunkin’ treated students to Refreshers and donuts, while fellow teachers enjoyed fresh Dunkin’ coffee.

Perez, a dual language educator, is known for creating individualized learning activities and fostering an inclusive environment that allows all students to thrive. At Resnik Middle School, he teaches social studies and reading language arts, empowering students to embrace bilingualism and academic excellence.

Throughout his career, Perez has earned numerous honors, including the 2024-25 San Antonio Area Association for Bilingual Education Teacher of the Year, the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Education, and recognition as a finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Educators like Carlos Perez exemplify the passion, leadership, and innovation that inspire students every day,” said franchisee Andy Ali. “We are proud to celebrate him with this recognition and show appreciation for the incredible impact he has on his school and community.”

The Texas Teacher of the Year program is the state’s highest honor for educators. The competition begins at the district level before advancing to regional judging, where 40 finalists are named. From there, just six educators are selected as state finalists — three elementary and three secondary — who interview with a panel before the final winners are chosen. The 2026 Texas Teacher of the Year winners will be announced on October 17, 2025.

For now, Perez continues to make a lasting difference in his classroom while enjoying some well-deserved coffee along the way.