Humble ISD’s first State of the Schools luncheon honored its students. An attendee says HD-127 candidate Michelle Williams talked through it.

Humble ISD held its first State of the Schools luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and built the program around its students. One guest, Texas House District 127 candidate Michelle Williams, did not show the same attention to them.

Why it matters

Williams wants to represent Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita in Austin, and she has made public schools the center of her campaign. The luncheon was Humble ISD’s own account of its students, its teachers and its year. How a candidate behaves in that room is fair to report.

Students ran the show

A student drumline greeted guests at the reception. JROTC cadets presented the colors, a Humble ISD student soloist sang the national anthem, and students in the district’s culinary program made the dessert. The program included a tribute to children fighting cancer.

Superintendent Dr. Roger Brown gave a spotlight on the district, returning often to the idea of Humble ISD as a family. To make the point, he turned the focus to one of the district’s standout student athletes and the people behind him.

By the numbers

• 77 to 83. Humble ISD’s state accountability score, a C in 2025 to a B in 2026, per the district.
• 3 straight C ratings before this year’s B, per Community Impact.
• 20 to 32. Campuses rated A or B, 2025 to 2026.
• F to B. Jack M. Fields Sr. Elementary, the district’s biggest gain, up 24 points.

Teacher of the Year Anita McKeague

The district spotlighted its Teacher of the Year, Anita McKeague, who teaches fourth grade reading and language arts at Elm Grove Elementary. In August she was also named 2027 Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year, which sends her on to the statewide program, per Region 4 Education Service Center.

McKeague spoke at the luncheon and shared the line that guides her teaching: “Love what you teach, but love who you teach more.” The Humble ISD Education Foundation describes lessons tied to real life and to students’ own interests. Her students have used Minecraft to rebuild historical settings, a project that builds teamwork and problem solving along the way.

A candidate in the room

Williams, the Democratic nominee for House District 127, is a former North Shore and Houston ISD teacher and president of the Houston Education Association. She faces Republican Rep. Charles Cunningham, a former Humble ISD board president, on Nov. 3.

According to an attendee, Williams talked through the tribute to children fighting cancer. The attendee said she also talked over parts of Dr. Brown’s presentation and scrolled on her phone while he spoke about the student athlete.

During the national anthem, sung by the Humble ISD student soloist, Williams stood without her hand over her heart. The video below was recorded at the luncheon during the anthem.

The U.S. Flag Code, 4 U.S.C. 301, says people not in uniform should stand at attention with the right hand over the heart during the anthem. It carries no penalty.

Early voting runs Oct. 19 through 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Sources

• Humble ISD: Humble ISD Earns B Rating After Districtwide Academic Gains, Aug. 14, 2026
• Community Impact: Humble ISD secures B score for 2025-26 A-F accountability rating, Aug. 19, 2026
• Region 4 ESC: 2027 Region 4 Teachers of the Year, Aug. 6, 2026
• Humble ISD Education Foundation: Teacher of the Year finalists
• Houston Public Media: HISD board again votes to terminate teachers union leader, April 24, 2026
• 4 U.S. Code 301, conduct during the national anthem

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