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It has been a season of both professional accolades and personal heroism for Margaret Marrs, a veteran theatre educator at Blalack Middle School.

Marrs, recently named the 2026 K-12 Educator of the Year by the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA), was also honored with a Heartsaver Hero award from CFBISD Health Services following a life-saving act during after-school rehearsals.

On April 23, Marrs performed first aid on a student who had begun choking. Her immediate, calm response ensured the safety of the student, Corban Halencak, the son of CFB Special Olympics Coordinator Leslie Halencak.

“In what could have been a tragic situation, Mrs. Marrs acted immediately and with remarkable composure,” Halencak wrote in a letter to the administration. “Her quick thinking and calm execution of the necessary steps likely saved my son’s life. As a parent, there are no words that can fully capture the relief and gratitude I feel knowing that my child was in the care of someone so capable, attentive, and compassionate.”

Sandra Lieck, CFBISD Director of Health Services, who presented Marrs with the Heartsaver Hero award, noted that these actions serve as a testament to the importance of emergency preparedness.

“Mrs. Marrs’ quick, instinctive response exemplifies exactly why we emphasize staff training in life-saving techniques,” Lieck emphasized. “She didn’t just save a student; she demonstrated the calm, decisive leadership that defines a true hero. It is an honor to recognize her for such a courageous act.”

Blalack principal Brian Anderson echoed those sentiments, praising Marrs for her dedication to the safety and well-being of the entire student body.

“Mrs. Marrs has been a lifesaver to Blalack for many years—in many ways,” Anderson said. “Now, she is an actual lifesaver. We adore her, and she adores serving our community.”

Beyond her heroic actions, Marrs is receiving significant professional recognition for her long-standing work in arts education. She was selected as the 2026 TxETA K-12 Educator of the Year, an honor she will formally receive in October during the annual awards ceremony at TheatreFest in Galveston.

Marrs has spent 22 years building a highly regarded theatre program at Blalack. During her tenure, she has directed 132 productions. The program’s success includes consistent recognition in the UIL One Act Play competition, most recently earning third place at the district level for their production of “The Price.” The Blalack program has also been recognized by the Texas Educational Theatre Association with the Award of Distinction as an Exemplary Level Campus for the past three years.

“Over the past 22 years, I have worked with so many teachers, both experienced and new, and always come away with ways to improve my teaching and the theatre classroom experience of my students,” Marrs said. ”It’a a joy to come to work every day and design and create with my students and co-workers.”

For Marrs, the recent honors are simply an extension of the same commitment she brings to the classroom every day. Whether on stage or in an emergency, she remains focused on the students who rely on her leadership.

“I truly love my job,” Marrs expressed.