Tag Archives: Latino American Teachers

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.

 

Director of Bands Maximo Sierra led Pebble Hills High students in Rose Parade

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Music educator Maximo Sierra led the 300-member Pebble Hills High School Spartan Marching Band from El Paso, Texas, in the Tournament of Roses Parade eld on Jan. 1, 2025. Photo credit: Pebble Hills High School

There are many fine music educators who work with young people in our nation’s public schools. One of these is Maximo Sierra, who leads the student musicians that comprise the Pebble Hills High School Spartan Marching Band from El Paso, Texas. He directed the 300-member group in the Tournament of Roses Parade held on Jan. 1, 2025. This is the first appearance for the group in the New Year’s Day Parade.

The Pebble Hills band placed second in the 6A area marching band contest and advanced to state last year. The group also swept the competition at the Coronado T-Bird Invitational in Sept., 2024. The students have performed all over Texas.

Maximo Sierra, Director of Bands at Pebble Hills High School in El Paso, Texas, has been teaching student musicians for 23 years. Photo credit: Pebble Hills High School

In a career that spans 23 years, Director of Bands Maximo Sierra has taught the last eight of them at Pebble Hills High. He has been the only Band Director in the school’s ten-year history. During those years, he helped establish the school’s traditions, including composing the school’s fight song, a piece inspired by movie and video game scores. “It’s in a minor key and very different,” he explains. “We’re proud of it.”

Maximo earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and his Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting from New Mexico State University. There he was also a Teaching/Directing Assistant for the NMSU Pride Marching Band, Jazz II, and Concert Bands. Maximo is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the International Association for Jazz Education.

Seminole High students appear in 2025 Rose Parade, led by Director of Bands Gerard Madrinan

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The Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band made their third appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade today. Photo credit: Seminole High School

I always enjoy watching the Tournament of Roses Parade on the first day of the New Year, and this year was no exception. While watching today’s parade, I was genuinely impressed with the stellar high school bands that appeared in the event. One of these was the Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band from Seminole, Florida. The 120-member group appeared under the leadership of Director of Bands Gerard Madrinan. This was their third appearance in the Rose Parade. The others were in 2005 and 2013.

The Warhawks are no strangers to honors. These stellar student-musicians appeared in the Disney Christmas Day Parade in 2007 and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2010. They were named the Virginia Beach National Marching Band Festival Grand Champions in 1978, multiple Grand Championships at the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Music Festival and Largo Golden Invitational, and more than 37 years of superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Festivals. In addition, the Warhawk Band has won Bands of America Regional Finalists a whopping 25 times. They were also named Atlanta Regional Grand Champions twice, a Grand National Semi-Finalists seven times, and Grand Nationals Finalists twice. In 1996, the Warhawk Band was the National AA-Division Champion at the WGI Friendship Cup Championships held in St. Louis, MO.

Director of Bands Gerard Madrinan led the student-musicians of Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida, in their appearance in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade. Photo credit: Seminole High School

Gerard has been the Director of Bands at Seminole High School since 2013. His position as Band Director is the realization of a childhood dream. He says he was only ten years old when he decided to become a high school band director. “I always wanted to be a high school band director, and to do it right here at Seminole High,” he reveals. In addition, he serves as the Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts, where he oversees the marching band, concert bands, jazz band, the winter guard, indoor percussion ensemble, and chamber ensembles.

Before his employment at Seminole High, Gerard served as a music teacher at Clearwater Intermediate School, the band director at Dunedin Highland Middle School, and as an itinerate music teacher at a several schools in Pinellas County. In all, his career as a music educator spans 25 years.

After his graduation from Seminole High in 1999, Gerard earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and his Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Florida, From 2005-2008, Gerard was an instructor with the University of South Florida Marching Band.

Additionally, Gerard is a member of the Florida Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Pinellas County Music Educators Association. In 2024, he was named Teacher of the Year by Pinellas County Schools.