An eighth-grade student at Spc. Rafael Hernando III Middle School in the Socorro Independent School District, who overcame a serious health challenge to succeed in the classroom, has won the Read 180 national award for exceptional improvement in reading.
Eduardo Gonzalez-Mendez was one of 13 students nationwide and the only student in Texas to earn the award for his outstanding academic achievement and growth in reading.
The Cavaliers hosted a celebration in the school’s library to surprise Gonzalez-Mendez with the good news in April. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s office also presented him with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his outstanding achievement.
“It’s crazy because I got chosen to win,” Gonzalez-Mendez said with a smile. “I think it’s really cool.”
Each year, learning technology company HMH honors the achievements made by Read 180, Math 180, and System 44 educators and students.
Read 180 is an adaptive reading intervention program designed for struggling readers who are reading two or more years below grade level. The program uses curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development to increase achievements for students such as Gonzalez-Mendez who are facing challenges in reading.
Winners were selected based on demonstrated improvements in reading or math using Read 180®, System 44®, or Math 180® as well as showing exceptional dedication to continuous improvement and academic growth inside and outside the classroom.
“We identify students who are striving readers for the Read 180 program,” Hernando Middle School principal Valerie Hairston said. “They may have dyslexia, or there’s a variety of reasons they’re coming in reading below grade level. The goal is to help students reach grade level, so they are prepared for their high school academics by the time they leave us.”
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2016, Gonzalez-Mendez was absent from school for long periods while receiving treatment, leading to gaps in his education. The COVID-19 pandemic also created an additional challenge.
When he started the Read 180 program at Hernando Middle School in sixth grade, Gonzalez-Mendez was reading significantly below grade level, said Brenda Rios, the school’s intervention reading teacher.
Although the treatment took a physical and mental toll on him, Gonzalez-Mendez’s mom Evelyn Pichardo said her son was determined to return to school and catch up on his schoolwork.
“All the chemo, all the medication, it slowed him down a little bit,” Pichardo said. “He would also sleep a lot. His attention was just everywhere. He always kept his head down and did his work. He’s never stopped trying.”
Through hard work and dedication, Gonzalez-Mendez has demonstrated remarkable growth to become a stronger reader. Rios said he is reading at a 10th-grade level.
“There was always that drive in him to want to be better and want to catch up,” said Rios, who nominated Gonzalez-Mendez for the honor. The school has had five Read 180 winners since 2013 under her tutelage.
“The theme on campus this year is ‘We can move mountains,’” Rios added. “I feel like Eduardo takes that to heart, and he doesn’t just see it as the theme of the school year; he’s living that.”
Gonzalez-Mendez, who has finished his cancer treatment, enjoys reading Marvel Comics. His advice for other struggling readers is to find something that they enjoy reading and stick to it.
“Read what you like reading about,” Gonzalez-Mendez said. “If there’s a subject that you like, read about that. It doesn’t have to specifically be one thing that everyone else reads. It can be something that you like.”
Eduardo Gonzalez-Mendez receiving Read 180 national award event photos
Published April 27, 2023
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