Marcela Diaz spent 24 years teaching special education students across Fort Bend County. On Monday, Aug. 10, she walked away with $1,000 worth of school supplies for her entire classroom.

Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong presented Diaz with the supplies as part of his Back to School Classroom Supply Drive, with his office commending her dedicated, patient and creative service in special education.

She was not alone.

Diaz was one of 11 teachers Wong honored that day. The group spanned early childhood, literacy, special education and theater arts. Wong said on his personal Facebook page that he personally purchased $1,000 in supplies for each teacher, totaling roughly $11,000 out of pocket.

"I wanted to do something special to help them get their classrooms ready," Wong said in the Aug. 10 video, noting the new school year was starting that week.

The timing was deliberate. Fort Bend ISD and Stafford ISD both opened the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 11, giving the honored teachers fresh supplies on their last day before students arrived.

The recognition adds to a wave of back-to-school support across the county. Fort Bend County's Juvenile Justice Center donated supplies to Stafford Middle School on Aug. 7, and Fort Bend ISD distributed free backpacks and supplies to 17,750 students at Title I schools earlier that week.

Wong's office did not identify which school or district Diaz serves, but the judge's Instagram post described all 11 honorees as educators making a profound impact on students' lives.

What's ahead: Fort Bend ISD and Stafford ISD classes are underway for the 2026-27 school year as of Aug. 11.