Tag Archives: Latino American Teachers

Texas educator Cynthia Rios earns Outstanding Humanities Teacher award

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Cynthia Rios, an English at Faulk Middle School in Brownsville, Texas, earned an Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award in 2021. Photo Credit: Brownsville Independent School District

There are many exceptional educators working in American schools, and I am always delighted to share the stories of some of them. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Texas teacher Cynthia Rios, who earned an Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award in 2021 from the organization Humanities Texas.

Cynthia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary studies at the University of Texas, Brownsville. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction with a concentration in Digital Literacy at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. She currently teaches reading and English /Language Arts at Faulk in Brownsville, Texas, since 2018. Her career as an educator spans eight years.

The honored educator emphasizes technology skills and digital literacy in her curriculum. “One of my goals when developing lessons has always been to engage students with 21st century activities that promote student learning through communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity with the use of educational technologies,” declares Cynthia. “I strive to increase their digital literacy and give them opportunities to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways,” she continues. “I believe that by developing students’ literacy, we can support their ability to critically read and navigate our ever-changing world,” she concludes.

For her work as an educator and a teacher-leader in the Brownsville Independent School District, Cynthia has earned the respect of her supervisors and colleagues. “What defines (Cynthia) as a great teacher goes beyond her content knowledge and skills,” asserts Benita Villarreal, Principal of Faulk Middle School. “She takes personal responsibility for her students’ success, and (they) know that she cares because she takes the time and energy to create technology-based, student-centered lessons that bring real-life experiences into the classroom.”

Humanities Texas presents annual awards to encourage excellence in teaching and to recognize Texas teachers who have made exemplary contributions to teaching, curriculum development, and extracurricular programming. Each recipient receives a $5,000 cash prize plus an additional $1,000 to spend on instructional materials for students. Cynthia was one of just 15 teachers who were selected from the more than 600 Texas teachers who were nominated. 

To read more about Cynthia Rios, see this article published by UTRGV, the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley.

Marta Garcia named Massachusetts 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary teacher Marta Garcia of Salem, Massachusetts, has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Massachusetts Computer Using Educators

Congratulations to Marta Garcia, an elementary teacher from Massachusetts, who has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. The award is presented each year to a teacher who exemplifies the dedication, commitment and positive contributions of educators within the state.

Marta teaches English as a Second Language to second and third graders at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem. Before accepting a position in the Salem Public School District in 2006, she taught in California and Spain. In all, her career as an educator has spanned 23 years.

The honored teacher helps students who are new immigrants to the country overcome obstacles with the language and culture. And she wants them to feel proud about their origins. “In my daily teaching, I try to help students nurture their identities and feel proud of their origins as they acquire new ways of seeing the world through a new culture and language,” declares Marta. “I consider myself the bridge on which my students can navigate opportunities coming from both sides, without rejecting one or the other.” To achieve this goal, Marta has served on her district’s Equity Matters team, multiple curriculum committees, and numerous English-learner task forces.

For her work as an educator, Marta has earned many accolades. She earned her district’s Read Trust Excellence in Science Teaching Award. In addition, the Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages nominated her for their Teacher of the Year Award.

Marta earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Valladolid in Spain. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages fro Salem State University. She first came to the United States as part of the Visiting Teachers from Spain program, and later she decided to relocate to this country.

 

Alice Bag: CA teacher, punk rock musician, Latina author, and painter

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Retired elementary school teacher Alice Bag has also earned renown as a punk rock musician, Latina author, and painter. Photo Credit: Alice Bag

There are numerous examples of exceptional educators who also exhibit talents in artistic endeavors. One of these is Alice Bag, a retired elementary school bilingual education teacher who has also earned renown as a punk rock musician, Latina author, and painter.

Alice Bag was born Alicia Armendariz on November 7, 1958, in the barrio of East Los Angeles. Her parents were impoverished immigrants from Mexico. As a youngster, Alice had few friends in school, and was often the target of bullies. Because of her personal experiences as a Latina student who did not speak English when she entered the classroom, the future teacher became a passionate supporter of education, especially for bilingual programs. Alice was obviously an exceptional child. She was only eight years old when she began her professional singing career. She recorded theme songs for cartoons in both English and Spanish.

As an adult, Alice became the co-founder and lead singer of The Bags, one of the first all-female punk rock groups to emerge from the Los Angeles area. The band, which was formed in the mid-70’s, was most active during the years 1977 through 1981. During these years they released their best-known singles, “Survive” and “Babylonian Gorgon.”

As a young woman, Alice was a personality ripe for rebellion. “Rock ‘n’ roll stands for rebellion,” she once explained, “and if you’re feeling disenfranchised, it gives you a voice.” Alice had much to rebel against. An abusive father, for one thing; a Latino culture that favored males, for another; and on top of that, racial discrimination against the Latino community. Music gave her the opportunity to channel that rebellion. For her pioneering work as a Latina punk rock performer, Alice has been featured in the Penelope Spheeris documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, and a traveling Smithsonian exhibition entitled “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music.”

After the break-up of The Bags, Alice studied how to bake pastries with a French patissier, studied painting at a community college, started a daily blog and website devoted to the history of the LA punk scene, and authored two books. In 2011, Alice published her memoir, Violence Girl: East L.A. Rage to Hollywood Stage: A Chicana Punk Story, which describes her childhood of domestic violence. The coming-of-age volume launched a reading and performance tour across the United States, and is also taught in many university courses in the departments of literature, gender studies, and Chicano studies. Her second book, Pipe Bomb for the Soul, was released in 2015. She has also released two solo albums: Blueprint in 2018 and Sister Dynamite in 2020.

After Alice earned her Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from California State University at Los Angeles, she began teaching in inner-city schools in LA using the name Alice Velazquez, her married name. She retired after 20 years in the classroom. Alice says her years as a teacher brought a sense of clarity to the lyrics of her current songs. “I was quick to get in arguments and often get in fights,” she remembers of her pre-teaching years. “Working with children, I found that I couldn’t ever be angry at a child. If there was a problem communicating or reaching the child, I felt like it was my responsibility to figure out how to communicate what I was trying to say,” she explains. “I think I became a more effective communicator. I learned how to clarify my thoughts,” she concludes.

To read more about Alice Bag and her experiences as a teacher, click on this link to a June, 2018, post entitled “No Soy Monedita de Oro” published on her blog.

Texas educator Blanca Enriquez served as Director of Head Start

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Immigrant and former Texas first grade teacher Blanca Enriquez served as the Director of Head Start. Photo Credit: The Prospector

Many times gifted classroom teachers rise to positions of rest influence in the educational community. This is true of Blanca Enriquez, a former elementary school teacher who served as the Director of Head Start.

Head Start is a national program created by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has served more than 31 million low-income children and their families from birth to age 5 through comprehensive early childhood education, health and nutrition programs, and parent involvement. Blanca has held the position of Director since 2015.

Blanca was born in Ciudad Juarez, and immigrated to the United States when she was only six years old. She was raised in El Segundo Barrio in El Paso, Texas. This neighborhood is one of El Paso’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, but it is also one of the poorest ZIP codes in the nation.

When she graduated from the city’s Bowie High School, Blanca placed in the top 10% of her class. She went on to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso, and she completed the requirements for her PhD in Education Administration and Management at New Mexico State University.

Blanca launched her career as a professional educator in 1973 when she accepted a position as a teacher’s aide in El Paso. After she earned her degrees, she taught English as a Second language to kindergarteners and first graders in El Paso public schools. By 1986, she held the position of the Director of Region 19 of Head Start, a position she held for 21 years.

In addition to these roles, Blanca has also served as a member of the Texas State Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Education. She was appointed by former President George W. Bush as an advisory board member for the National Institute for Literacy, and she is a member of the National Association for the Education of Children, the Texas and National Associations for Bilingual Education, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

For her work as an educator, Blanca was inducted into the El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame in 1999.

Elem teacher Alondra Diaz named CA’s 2022 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher Alondra Diaz of Lake Forest, California, has been named California’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Twitter.

Congratulations are due to elementary teacher Alondra Diaz. She has been named the 2022 California State Teacher of the Year!

Alondra teaches third grade in the dual language immersion program at Ralph A. Gates Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Magnet Elementary School in Lake Forest, California. She has worked there since 2017. Previously she taught dual language Spanish and English to elementary and middle schoolers at the Orange County Educational Arts Academy for ten years. In all, her career as an educator has spanned 14 years. No matter where she works, Alondra is a passionate advocate for language acquisition for all students.

The honored educator was raised in Santa Ana, a predominantly Latino suburb of Los Angeles. As a bilingual student, Alondra says she learned first-hand the power of education. Homelessness and other childhood traumas posed obstacles, but school was always a stabilizing influence for her. “Fortunately, I had amazing teachers who inspired me along the way and believed in me, even when I didn’t,” she says.

Now that she is in the classroom, Alondra declares she is committed to empowering students and their community. As a teacher leader, she provides support to aspiring and new teachers in her role as lead mentor teacher.

Before her selection as California’s Teacher of the Year, Alondra was named one of six Orange County Teachers of the Year. She has garnered other accolades as well. She earned the 2020 Woman of the Year award in the category of Community and Education presented by the National Hispanic Women’s Business Association. Additionally, she is a member of the California Department of Education’s Superintendent Teacher Advisory Council.

Alondra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Peace Studies with an emphasis in Spanish language, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Chapman University.