TEACHERS HONORED — Kingsville Next Generation members honored their first two young teachers, Erica Salazar and Andrea Troup for their excellence in teaching. Pictured from left are KNG President Brad Womack, Salazar, Principal Diana Guerrero-Pena, Troup and Maria Rodriguez. (Photo by Gloria Bigger-Cantu). Kingsville Next Generation members honored and recognized two teachers at Kleberg Elementary School for their excellence in teaching and outstanding performance and exceptional commitment to teamwork.

Andrea Troup and Erica Salazar received a certificate of appreciation by Brad Womack, KNG president and Maria Rodriguez, board member last week.

“We wanted to honor outstanding achievement to help the next generation,” Womack said. These two teachers were the first ones honored by KNG. More KISD teachers will be honored and recognized throughout the year.

“We want to recognize the vibrant young educators that are working to build a strong educational foundation for the youth of Kingsville and also improve the perception of KISD,” he said.

“These young teachers reflect the passion to be a new teacher, and so when they get rewarded, it’s an affirmation,” said Rodriguez.

KNG, initiated last June, has membership of young professionals, ages 21 to 40 years old. One of their goals is to support and enhance leadership, civic responsibility and business growth.

Diana Guerrero-Pena, Kleberg School principal, praised the young teachers citing that working with children is their greatest passion when it comes to teaching.

“They have no boundaries; they are creative and student centered,” she said.

She noted that both teachers exemplify leadership; they are quick to accept projects, extra duty assignments or help a fellow colleague. Their personalities are upbeat, full of energy and positive. Guerrero-Pena also said they both focus on instilling in students a love of learning, as well as, teaching them to be responsible and involved in the citizens of society.

“I feel fortunate that I have an excellent staff; we have a great group of teachers, and two selected from Kleberg School- that exemplifies our quality of teachers,” said Guerrero-Pena.

Kleberg Elementary School, a Recognized School, with second to fourth grade levels, has 460 students and 32 teachers.

After the presentation, Salazar and Troup were asked by KNG members to respond to a few questions. One of the questions was: “What was special about teaching in Kingsville?”

“Right now is a very exciting time to teach in Kingsville with our new administration. They are going above and beyond to reach out to the community and aligning our campuses to fit the communities’ needs. They also invest in the teachers and are very influential leaders who are focused on student learning and taking Kingsville ISD to next level,” said fourth grade teacher Salazar. She has been teaching seven years and five of them at Kleberg School.

“My favorite thing about teaching in Kingsville is the support the parents show. The parents of the students are very involved in their children’s learning. I am also excited about the support from leaders. The superintendent is very involved with improving student success. Our principal, Mrs. GP, is very sup portative with new ideas and improving student learning,” said second grade teacher Troup.

Another question asked was: “What are some activities you do to encourage learning?”

“Whenever possible, I like to have my students discussing and sharing their opinions. I also like to incorporate assignments that reflect their learning in a personalized way and use movement, music and manipulatives,” states Salazar.

“In my classroom I love to use computer programs to interest students. We also play music for a comfortable atmosphere. I use a lot of hands-on activities and a lot of manipulatives,” stated Troup. She has been teaching five years, and this is her first year with KISD.

Salazar said she does not have children but believes students can relate to someone who cares about them. She tries to provide a classroom where it is understood that their safety and success are her number one priority, and a place they can learn in an interesting and engaging way.

Troup said having almost a three-year-old daughter familiarizes her with some of the things that age level likes. She likes to create fun games to making learning fun for her students.

Another question asked to the young teachers was how they incorporate their students into Kingsville’s Next Generation. Salazar is working with two other teachers, Heather Ramirez and Rebecca Fox, in a mentorship program called Flying High Girls Club.

“Our goal is to help them uncover their strengths, groom them into independent young ladies while pinpointing a career field that matches their dreams, gifts, and strengths. In the efforts to expose them to some new experiences, we will be raising money soon to purchase dresses, tickets to a Broadway Show in San Antonio and dinner at an upscale restaurant,” said Salazar.

Troup’s students, who are second graders, participate in discussions a local and community events and about attending college and the different careers here in Kingsville.

“Most of my students say they want to stay in Kingsville and become teachers or open restaurants,” said Troup.

She praises her teaching partner, Emelda Lopez, who she states “has been wonderful and we always look for fun activities for the students.”

“I feel learning is power and learning should be fun for the students,” Troup stated.

She said she wanted to become a teacher because she had some great teachers that made learning exciting and she wanted to do the same for children.

Troup graduated from Sinton High School in 2001 and Texas A&M University Kingsville in 2005. She moved here last year with her daughter to be close to her parents Bettinae Kaiser, Ricardo ISD business manager and George Kaiser, who works with the Border Patrol.

“I had heard great things about KID and was lucky to get a position here,” she said.

“I think children are wonderful gifts and if I can make a difference in just one child’s life, I would be proud,” Troup said. “I love the feeling when a student has one of those moments when everything makes sense and learning is fun.”

Salazar, who graduated from J. Frank Dobie High School in Pasadena in 1995, attended TAMUK on a softball scholarship and earned a marketing degree. She later received a teacher certification. She married Frank Salazar, a 1996 H.M. King High School graduate.

“Kingsville has such great potential, and the students of this community deserve the best,” Salazar said. “Myself and my husband are both invested in the future of Kingsville and I am definitely invested in Kingsville Independent School District.”

Guerrero-Pena also praised the young teachers because they are the only two teachers selected by the KISD Administration to participate in the National Board of Certification program. The process for certification is reading and understanding the national board standards, preparing a portfolio and completing assessment exercise. Once teachers become certified they become members of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

“This is a rigorous process and the benefits are to improve teaching, intellectual stimulation, professional development, leadership opportunities, and local and state incentives,” Guerrero Pena stated.

She also stated that becoming nationally board certified leads to networking opportunities with mentors, and other candidates. The process will empower and create a level of self-confidence in teachers that will lead to greater respect among their peers. This by all means is aligned to our vision statement: “ we not only want to be the best district in the U.S.; we want the best teachers as well.”

Emilio Castro, KISD superintendent, also praised Salazar and Troup, for being honored by KNG and participating in the rigorous National Board of Certification program. He complimented them as up and coming stars of the district. He was pleased the KNG honored them for their efforts to KISD and the Kingsville community.

“I am very proud of them and their participation in being certified nationally,” Castro said. “This is a first big step in our vision statement of being the best district in the U.S.”