The Socorro Independent School District was proud to announce eight exceptional educators as finalists in the district’s teacher of the year program during the 2023 Elite 8 Teachers of the Year Reception on Feb. 22 at the SISD Technology Service Center.
The announcement was made during the annual event that recognized all 49 campus teachers of the year. Each received a small gift from Socorro ISD Superintendent Nate Carman, Ed.D., board trustees, and district administrators.
Dr. Carman thanked administrators, school staff and families for supporting teachers and helping them navigate one of the most important jobs, educating our youth.
“I want to give a giant, heartfelt thanks, and congratulations to the 2023 Campus Teachers of the Year,” Dr. Carman said. “We couldn’t be the outstanding Team SISD that we are without you. You are loved and appreciated, and you are fantastic representatives for your fellow colleagues and your entire campus. You clearly are going above and beyond to help your students succeed, and you deserve this prestigious title of Teacher of the Year.”
The top eight teachers were first selected by their peers as Campus Teachers of the Year, then going through an interview selection process with a committee of district stakeholders. They will now move on to the next round of the program to vie for the district Teacher of the Year for elementary and secondary education.
Teachers attended the event with their campus administrator and a guest. They were treated to a video celebrating all the campus teachers of the year before the top eight educators - four elementary and four secondary - were announced.
Guests cheered, laughed and cried with joy and excitement as they watched videos of the winners chosen for the great honor.
“I honestly got real emotional watching my video because I didn’t think I was going to make Elite 8,” said Brenda Ornelas, a first-grade bilingual teacher at Ernesto Serna School. “So, now I feel very excited to go and celebrate this accomplishment with my family.”
Eric Williams, an AVID teacher at Pebble Hills High School, was named one of four Elite 8 teachers in the secondary category. He said he got emotional seeing his students in the video.
“My students support me and are my motivation,” Williams said. “I hope this is something I can share with them and something they can be proud of.”
Next, the top elementary and secondary winners will be chosen in another process to go on to represent SISD at the regional level.
The top two winners will be named during SISD’s annual Teacher of the Year Gala on May 5.
Published February 24, 2023
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