March 31, 2023

Dripping Springs Elementary fifth-grade science teacher Jill Zipperer has been named one of five finalists for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Rising Star Elementary Award, H-E-B representatives announced in a surprise campus visit on Friday, March 31. 

The Rising Star category honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience. As a finalist, Zipperer received a $1,000 check for her and $1,000 for Dripping Springs Elementary, cookies and balloons. Finalists will travel to San Antonio for the awards gala in April where judges will conduct face-to-face interviews. Winners will receive $5,000 for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their school. 

Zipperer, who is in her sixth year with Dripping Springs ISD, received her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University and her master’s in Science Education from Western Governors University. 

Created in 2002, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are designed to honor outstanding public school professionals and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile each and every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same.