District administrators kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week on May 1, 2017, with celebratory visits to Dishman Elementary and KEYS Academy where two of Harlingen CISD’s top educators were named Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.
Receiving the honors were Maria Munoz from Dishman and Juan A. Fraga from KEYS.
“We are super proud of the work of our HCISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. They are model teachers for our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Art Cavazos. “Every successful person can always point to a teacher who made a difference in their lives. I am certain that Mrs. Munoz and Mr. Fraga have touched many lives and will continue to touch many lives throughout their careers.”
The festivities began at Dishman where the news took the winning fifth-grade teacher by surprise during a morning assembly.
“I am truly humbled,” she said gesturing toward the audience. “I am you. I am Dishman. I am these teachers here. I love what I do, and if I were to be born again, I would do the same thing. I wouldn’t change a bit.”
After the gathering at the elementary campus, administrators made their way to KEYS Academy to congratulate an unsuspecting math teacher as he taught a class.
“I am honored for this recognition,” said Fraga. “I thank my students who have made me who I am. I hope that I’ve made a difference in students’ lives so they can be successful, go forward and get a good education for themselves and their families.”
Along with their designations as exemplary teachers, a 500-dollar Teacher of the Year grant recognizing excellence in education was awarded by the Harlingen Area Educational Foundation to each of winners’ campus in their honor.
Munoz and Fraga will be representing HCISD in the Region One Teacher of the Year competition.
Click here for more photos of the Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Click here for more photos of the Secondary Teacher of the Year.
