The Socorro Independent School District proudly named its top two educators at its 2023 Teacher of the Year Gala on May 5 at the El Paso Convention Center.
Arleen Parada, a kindergarten teacher at Lujan-Chavez Elementary School, was named the 2023 SISD Elementary Teacher of the year, and Phillip Chase, an eighth-grade science teacher at SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School, was named the 2023 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
More than 1,200 SISD teachers, family members and special guests attended the Cinco de Mayo-themed celebration, which recognized the top two district winners along with all 49 campus teachers of the year, including the Elite 8 finalists. KVIA Chief Meteorologist “Doppler” Dave Speelman was the evening’s master of ceremonies.
Parada and Chase were selected as Teachers of the Year for their outstanding work inspiring their students to seize the many opportunities SISD offers for lifelong success.
Parada has taught at Lujan-Chavez for six years and is a UTEP Teacher Residency mentor. She dedicated her award to her 22 kinder stars. She said she was also honored to share the spotlight with the other Elite 8 nominees and all the other campus Teachers of the Year.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Parada said. “Team SISD is amazing, and I can’t wait to showcase the wonderful things that we do.”
For more than 20 years, Chase has encouraged his students to make good decisions in life. During the awards ceremony, he said he ran into a former student who is now a teacher at Eastlake High School. He also recalled how his fellow Elite 8 nominee Eric J. Williams Jr. was also one of his students.
“The best thing about teaching is definitely the relationship that I get with my students,” Chase said. “Being able to see them succeed and seeing their lives change so much in one year is the biggest reward that I can ever get as a teacher.”
Outside the classroom, Chase coaches softball, track and baseball and helps with AVID and NHS.
Both winners received a glass sculpture in the shape of a flame, which represents the energy and fire of curiosity that every student possesses. This beautiful award commemorates SISD’s teachers’ unwavering commitment as keepers of the flame.
Teacher of the Year is among the highest honors that an educator can receive. Winners proceed to the regional level, and they have the opportunity to advance to state. Parada and Chase will represent Team SISD at the Region 19 Teacher of the Year program in the summer.
Published May 5, 2023
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