Tag Archives: Latino American Teachers

Former science teacher Alberto Carvalho now serves as Supt. of LAUSD

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Former science teacher Alberto Carvalho immigrated to the US with his family in search of a better life. He now serves as the Superintendent of Los Angeles Public Schools. Photo credit: The New York Times

Many excellent classroom teachers go on to positions of leadership and influence in their school districts. Alberto Carvalho is a fine example of this. Alberto inaugurated his career in education as a classroom teacher in Miami, Florida, rising to the position of Superintendent there. Currently, he works as the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District in California.

The former classroom teacher immigrated to the United States from Portugal with his family in search of a better life in about 1983. He was 17 years old at the time. At first, the family landed in New York, but later they relocated to Miami. Alberto was the first in his family to graduate from high school. 

Because of his determination and hard work, Alberto was able to put himself through college. He enrolled in courses first at Broward Community College, and later he earned a scholarship to Barry University, where he completed the requirements for his Bachelor’s degree.

Alberto inaugurated his career in education as a science teacher at Miami Jackson Senior High School in Miami-Dade County. He taught physics, chemistry, and calculus there. After four years in the classroom, Alberto served the District in several leadership positions, including Assistant Principal and Chief Communications Officer, before his selection as the Superintendent. For 13 years, Alberto served in that role for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

During his tenure as Superintendent, Alberto garnered local, state, national, and international recognition. He was named Florida’s 2014 Superintendent of the Year; the 2014 National Superintendent of the Year; the 2016 winner of the Harold W. McGraw Prize in Education; the 2018 National Urban Superintendent of the Year; the 2019 National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Superintendent of the Year. In addition, he garnered recognition by Scholastic Administrator as one of “The Fantastic Five” educators making a difference in America.

Alberto currently serves on the National Assessment Governing Board, to which he was appointed by the US Secretary of Education. He also serves as a committee member for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and as an Advisory Committee Member to the Harvard Program on Education Policy and Governance.

On Dec. 14, 2021, this Chalkboard Champion was hired to be the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles, California. He continues to serve in this role today.

Florida teacher Bertha Vazquez has earned many accolades

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Science teacher Bertha Vazquez was won many accolades for her work in the classroom. Photo credit: Sage Publishing

I always enjoy sharing stories about one of the many fine science educators in our country. One of these is Bertha Vazquez, an award-winning science teacher from Miami Dade County Public Schools in Florida. She has won many accolades for her work in the classroom.

Bertha taught earth science, physical science, and life science at George Washington Carver Middle School in Miami Dade, Florida. She also taught French, but her main focus has been encouraging instruction in environmental education across the curriculum. Her career as an educator spanned 34 years.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Bertha served as the Director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES), a program connected with the Center for Inquiry and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science. She retired from the teaching profession in 2023.

Bertha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, suma cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1989. She completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Science Education from Florida International University in 1999. She was also named to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999.

For her work as an educator, Bertha has earned many accolades. In 2008, she was named the South Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair Middle School Teacher of the Year. She garnered the Miami Dade Middle School Science Teacher of the Year Award in both 2008 and 1997, and in 1998 she was a finalist for Miami Dade Teacher of the Year. Bertha was also named a Premio Verde Escolar in 2012. She earned a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM grant in 2014, a Charles C. Bartlett Award for the National Environmental Education Foundation in 2009, and a Verizon Foundation Grant for Educators in 2011. She was also a 2015 State Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Jr high English teacher Erika Garza-Silva garners prestigious humanities award

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Junior high school English teacher Erika Garza-Silva Texas has garnered a 2024 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. Photo credit: flour Bluff ISD

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for her work in the classroom. Today I share the story of Erika Garza-Silva, a Language Arts teacher from Texas. She has been recognized by Texas Humanities with a prestigious 2024 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.

Erika teaches Language Arts at Flour Bluff Junior High School in Corpus Christi. In addition, she serves as her school’s Language Arts Department Chair and she fills the role of the University Interscholastic League Coordinator.

“I strive each and every day to be the teacher that sees beyond labels, language barriers, or economic status and only sees a student who is full of possibilities,” declares Erika. “It is not only because I know what it feels like to be treated differently, but because I know first-hand what can happen when a teacher believes in you,” she continues.

To achieve her goals, Erika incorporates cross-curricular activities and project-based learning into her learning program. For example, her students explore 1960s culture by analyzing song lyrics, researching fashion, dressing up, and tie-dying old T-shirts. Erika believes these immersive activities enhance her students’ understanding of course material and help them feel more connected to the characters in the readings that have been assigned.

This outstanding educator is obviously well-respected by her colleagues. “Erika Garza-Silva’s consistent devotion to her students, community, and school makes her such a valuable asset to education,” says Brooke Zepeda, Intervention Specialist at Flour Bluff Junior High School. “As head of the English Department, she has led her team to achieve record-high ELA STAAR scores and is a phenomenal role model for the teachers she leads. As a bilingual educator, she also helps tremendously with our English as a Second Language (ESL) program, working with eighth-grade ESL students to ensure they are excelling in their classes,” Brooke continues. “Erika embodies strength, dignity, and compassion in every aspect of her work,” she concludes.

Well done, Erika!

To learn more about Humanities Texas, click on this link to their website.

 

Jaime Suarez named the 2025 Florida State Teacher of the Year.

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Middle school teacher Jaime Suarez has been named the 2025 Florida State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Jaime Suarez

Congratulations to Jaime Suarez, a middle school teacher from Spring Hills, Florida. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year! She was selected from five finalists. Altogether, more than 185,000 public school teachers from across the state were nominated.

Jaime teaches mathematics to sixth through eighth graders at the Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics in Spring Hill. in a career that spans 13 years, she has taught at Challenger for four years.

“Each day, I focus on designing engaging and interactive lessons that not only help students grasp mathematical concepts but also encourage them to explore, question, and make connections,” declares Jaime. “I believe that math is more than just formulas—it’s about discovering patterns and solving problems creatively,” she continues. And her efforts have achieved remarkable results. In 2002-2003, algebra students in her class earned a 100% pass rate on their end-of-course assessment.
 
Jaime earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, in 2004. She is a member of the National Council of both the Teachers of Mathematics and the National Association for Gifted Children.

In addition, Jaime has filled several leadership roles, including grade-level team lead, new teacher mentor, Math Field Day Coordinator and district science textbook selection committee member.

Jaime says she strongly believes in the importance of extracurricular activities for building relationships. To provide opportunities for extracurriculars, she established the Video Productions Club and the Rubik’s Cube Club on her campus, and she serves as the school’s cheerleading coach.

In addition to her recognition as the Teacher of the Year, Jaime received a $50,000 award from the state of Florida and a tuition waiver to pursue a graduate degree from the Florida State University College of Education. She will also receive a two-year Florida College scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan to present to a student of her choice. 

 

TX educator Nancy Chavira garners 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award

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Middle school Nancy Chavira of Texas has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: KRWG Public Media

Hearty congratulations go to Nancy Chavira, a middle school teacher from Fabens, Texas. She has garnered a prestigious 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation, one of only 34 educators nationwide to win the award this year.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the award includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country whose work strengthens best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Nancy teaches mathematics and science to fifth graders at Johanna O’Donnell Intermediate School in Fabens, Texas. The students in her classroom learn in a 50/50 model classroom where curriculum is taught in both Spanish and English.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Nancy serves as the school’s yearbook advisor and as a member of the Science Fair Committee member. She organizes the students in her class to participate in the annual O’Donnell Christmas Project, a project that helps to build gift bags of essential to distribute to residents in Ciudad Juárez. And, as if all that were not enough, Nancy also contributes to her community by training families on how to promote reading instruction at home.

“Nancy Chavira sets a high bar when it comes to being a role model for young students and fellow colleagues,” delcares Dr. Foley, a fellow Milken Educator. “Her unwavering dedication has made a positive impact on her classroom, school and the community,” she continued.

Nancy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration as a EC-6 Bilingual Generalist from the University of Texas, El Paso, in 2015.