Five TISD Educators Recognized by ESC Region 12

TEMPLE, Texas — Five Temple Independent School District educators have been recognized by ESC Region 12 for their work with bilingual students and programs. The educators were honored during Region 12’s BESA (Bilingual and English as Second Language) Awards ceremony last month.     

The BESA Awards are in their first year and the event was created to help recognize professionals working in Emergent Bilingual and ESL classes and departments. Award categories include peer nominations for the Texas Education Agency’s Title III Symposium and, team awards and individual awards. All five Temple ISD educators were recognized as Title III Influencers are now nominated for state-wide awards at the Title III Symposium in July. Michelle Rhodes, the principal at Thornton Elementary School, was recognized as an Administrator of the Year. Barbara Yanez-Smith, an ESL and foreign language teacher at Edwards Academy, was honored with a Champion Award and three TISD paraprofessionals received Spirit Awards. The Spirit Awards honorees are Laura Lujan, Emergent Bilingual aide at Temple High School, Olga Quinones, ESL paraprofessional at Temple High School and Rosalva Munoz, ESL paraprofessional at Bonham Middle School.

“Being recognized is incredibly meaningful to me as it validates my efforts and dedication to promoting bilingual education,” Rhodes said. “It emphasizes the importance of the work I do and the positive impact it has on the students I serve.”

“Being among the staff members recognized is an honor. I believe that happiness is to provide a quality education for all, and I believe in what we do and in how we do it from the heart,” said Lujan, who is retiring this year. “Being able to share my experiences in this great district with excellent teachers and administrative staff has been wonderful! Bilingualism provides the opportunity for students to learn the terminology of another language by listening, speaking, reading and writing, and using appropriate strategies that help to focus academic language teaching. This gives each student the opportunity to develop a comprehension in using academics and social skills.”

The TEA Title III Symposium will be held in July, but the BESA Awards ceremony allowed all of the Region 12 nominees to be recognized at a local level, The event also gave attendees an opportunity to connect and learn from each other. For the team and individual awards, professional development attendance, school performance and projects and other achievement data were considered as award criteria.

“Temple has amazing educators and support staff who not only care for our students but who are committed to excellence,” said Connie Sisneros, director of bilingual and ESL for Temple ISD. “Each of the five nominees possess a special talent for reaching our Emergent Bilingual Students and helping them accelerate not only in academics and language, but also in life. They are advocates and work tirelessly to pull the best out of each student every day. Recognition at the regional level is a superb accomplishment as they continue to put Temple ISD on the map of greatness.”