For Caleb Cummings, some of the best moments in teaching happen when a student realizes, "I can do this."

Watching students recognize their growth and gain confidence in what they can accomplish is what keeps Cummings passionate about teaching fourth grade at Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence. Now in his fourth year in the classroom, Cummings has been named Texas PTA's 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Cummings has taught fourth grade throughout his career, beginning with his student teaching at the same level. He knew right away it was the right fit.

"They're at a really unique age where they're really starting to discover more of their personalities," Cummings said. "They're getting into more autonomy and control of their learning, and so you get to really see those relationships form as they're figuring out who they are."

Cummings did not always plan to become a teacher. Growing up with two educator parents, though, gave him early familiarity with the profession, and a conversation with a friend during college broadened his perspective on teaching.

"I think my perspective opened in a way that I didn't really expect," he said. "I think I had a limited perspective, and then when it opened, I fell in love with it. There's so much potential and opportunity in the role of an educator. Once I got into it and started really studying and doing all the things, it just really became something I was really passionate about."

That passion has shaped the way Cummings approaches his classroom. He wants students to feel comfortable exploring who they are and how they learn while understanding that their growth extends beyond what can be measured in a classroom.

"I see that there's so much growth and development that happens," he said. "It just reminds me that so much of the work you do in the eight months that you have with a student has a lasting impact."

For Cummings, some of the most rewarding moments come when students begin to recognize that impact for themselves.

"I can see it at the beginning of the year, but then when they get to that point, and they see it, and they're proud of themselves, it's like now we're sharing in this thing that I've had all year of wanting to see you get there," he said.

Cummings was first named Teacher of the Year at Walnut Glen before being nominated for the Texas PTA honor. When he learned he had been selected, he said he was ecstatic and humbled by the recognition.

"It kind of reiterated, not that we do it for the accolades, but that those accolades just are the affirmation that the work in the classroom is so important," he said.

The recognition has also encouraged Cummings to keep learning and improving as he enters his fifth year.

"I don't want to stop there," he said. "I want to grow and continue to maintain a mindset of humility."

This year, Cummings is especially excited about Walnut Glen's implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. He hopes the program will broaden his students' perspectives through global and cultural learning.

Most of all, he is looking forward to welcoming another group of fourth graders and watching them discover what they are capable of.

"I love what I do," Cummings said. "Seeing their faces, seeing the growth, seeing the impact, it does really make it worth it."