The Arc of El Paso honored three outstanding educators from the Socorro Independent School District with the Arc of El Paso Everyday Heroes of IDD award during the organization's awards banquet on Oct. 20 at the Starlight Event Center.
SISD teachers Jackie Beltran from John Drugan School, Veronica Razo Juárez from Ben Narbuth Elementary School, and Ana Stopyra from O'Shea Keleher Elementary School were recognized for their exceptional work in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“I am passionate and very lucky to have this job because I have a lot of support at school and my kids are always working hard,” said Beltran, a special education teacher in the Structured Learning Unit for Positive Behavior Support at John Drugan School.
The Arc of El Paso provides services and education to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families and caregivers living in the El Paso borderland region.
Tom Laign, president of the Arc of El Paso, said the award is an opportunity to highlight educators who go above and beyond in their classrooms to make a difference in the lives of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"It talks about the quality of the education program and the commitment of the people who work for the district," said Laign, who retired as the Transition Services Coordinator for SISD's Special Education Department in 2017. "Most of all, what it means for them is they're doing an exceptional job for how they're supporting their kids."
Honorees such as Stopyra were nominated by people across El Paso County who admired their outstanding service and advocacy for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Stopyra said the award meant more to her after learning she had been nominated by a parent of one of her students.
"I teach the youngest learners - 3- to 6-year-olds are in my classroom - and I want to be that first initial positive experience, and I want them to have that initial love for school," said Stopyra, a special education teacher at O'Shea Keleher Elementary School. "That's my goal, for them to love coming to school every day. And, also, for the families to make it a positive experience for them."
Juárez, a fifth-grade bilingual teacher from Ben Narbuth Elementary School, said the award not only highlighted her efforts, but it also recognized her students' hard work and accomplishments.
“I do it because I know all children can learn, and they learn in different ways,” Juárez said. “And I am willing to take on that challenge to make sure those students get to where they have to be.”
Arc of El Paso Everyday Heroes of IDD award event photos
Published December 7, 2022
Strategic Direction: Highly Qualified, Effective Faculty and Staff