Latest news with #TexasTeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Governor Signs $8.5B Education Bill, Boosting Teacher Pay
Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2 (HB2) into law Tuesday, delivering a 'historic' boost to public education funding and teacher pay across Texas. According to a June 4 press release from the governor's office, the $8.5 billion package includes a record $4 billion in salary raises for teachers and school staff. The goal is to build up the state's education workforce and improve student success rates. The bill signing occurred at Salado Middle School, where Abbott was joined by over 175 teachers, students, and parents. 'Now is the time to make Texas No. 1 in educating our children,' Abbott said. 'House Bill 2 ensures that our schools are funded better than ever, teacher pay and student funding are at all time highs, reading and math performance will improve, and students will be better prepared for the workforce.' The bill also dedicates nearly $834 million to special education, $648 million to 'early literacy and numeracy,' and $430 million to increasing overall school safety. Small and rural schools will receive $318 million in additional support, while $199 million will go toward expanding facilities for charter schools. Abbott was accompanied by Salado ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Novotny and Temple ISD Educator JoMeka Gray at the ceremony. Gray, a Region 12 Teacher of the Year and 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year finalist, praised the legislation's focus on teacher retention and support for special education. 'House Bill 2 is more than just policy—it is a promise to our teachers,' Gray said. 'This legislation touches the lives of 5.5 million students enrolled in Texas public schools. It strengthens the teaching profession and largely supports the needs of special education students,' she added. Abbott's plan also expands career and technical education, particularly in smaller or previously underrepresented areas across Texas. Lawmakers allocated $153 million for high-demand fields of work and job training facilities, while $187 million will enhance teacher preparation and certification programs. The measure increases the Tier II basic allotment by $55 per student and funds school districts' operational costs: including transportation, insurance, and utilities – by $1.3 billion. In his 2025 State of the State Address, Abbott had previously declared an incoming increase in teacher pay raises and career training opportunities as emergency priorities for the legislative session. Yesterday, the governor's office announced that more than $481 million from the Teacher Incentive Allotment was distributed to over 42,000 designated teachers for the 2024-25 school year. 'The foundation is now in place for Texas education to start climbing the ranks,' Abbott said after signing the bill.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Del Valle HS assistant principal chosen as DoD STEM Ambassador
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A Del Valle High School Assistant Principal is the first El Pasoan to be named a Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Ambassador, according to the news release by Ysleta Independent School District. According to Ysleta ISD, Ramon Benavides was named a DoD STEM Ambassador and is among only 30 ambassadors nationwide. 'As an administrator, this role gives me the unique opportunity to represent Del Valle HighSchool and Ysleta ISD on a national level. Most importantly, it enables me to continue bringing new and transformative opportunities to our students, helping them access pathways to success in STEM fields and beyond,' Benavides said. According to YISD, the DoD STEM Ambassador program is a collaborative partnership between academia, industry, nonprofit groups and government that aims to broaden STEM literacy and develop a diverse and agile workforce. The selection was a 'rigorous, highly competitive selection process that emphasized a nominee's ability to inspire, lead and advocate for STEM opportunities,' according to the school district. According to the school district, Benavides' duties as a DoD STEM Ambassador include: Help develop and execute a project to address STEM challenges and provide meaningful STEM experiences to military-connected and/or underrepresented students Author guest blog posts Support national presentations to share best practices in STEM and DoD STEM resources, among others 'I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from our campus and districtleadership, as they have been instrumental in this achievement,' Benavides said. Prior to being an administrator, Benavides was a science teacher at Del Valle High School and was named 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year, according to Ysleta ISD. In addition, YISD said Benavides also worked on programs and initiatives at the high school and district-wide to 'elevate science and STEM.' According to the school district, Benavides is the son of migrant farmworkers who dropped out of school at a young age. Benavides holds a bachelor's degree from both the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas at Brownsville, a master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a doctorate from Texas Tech University. 'Benavides has been published in various publications and participated in several state/national professional organizations, as well as research internships with Rice University and UTEP. He serves as a national STEM advocate for The Society for Science and the Public, advocating for changes in the classroom that ensure underrepresented students attain a fair chance at success in STEM professions,' YISD said in the news release. For more information about the STEM Ambassador program, you can visit the Department of Defense STEM website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Corpus Christi ISD Teacher of the Year winners share love for students, public education
The district-wide Teacher of the Year winners for Corpus Christi ISD have been chosen. Thursday evening, the district recognized the top teachers of the 2024-25 school year for elementary and secondary schools. They were chosen by a committee of district faculty and staff members. Amalia "Dolores" Barragan, who teaches fourth grade at Creekside Elementary School, was named the Elementary Teacher of the Year. Barragan has been a teacher for 18 years. She believes education can transform lives, Superintendent Roland Hernandez said Thursday. "Teaching is more than a profession," Barragan said. "It's a calling, a passion and a privilege." Teachers do not succeed alone, she said. Students are the heart of the work. "Every lesson, every breakthrough and every small victory belongs to them," Barragan said. Pedro Benavidez, who teaches chemistry at Ray High School, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Benavidez strives to instill resilience, adaptability and the importance of lifelong learning in his students, Hernandez said. Benavidez said he encourages everyone to remain curious throughout their lives. He has worked at Ray High School for 18 years and believes strongly in public education, he said. Both Barragan and Benavidez will now be considered for the Regional Teacher of the Year honors, competing with teachers from across the Coastal Bend. The winner of the regional competition is then eligible to be named Texas Teacher of the Year. In addition to the elementary and secondary district winners, the district also honored finalists Barnes Elementary School third grade teacher Alexandra Romero, Metro Elementary School second grade teacher Whitney Copeland, Driscoll Middle School eighth grade U.S. History teacher Selina Garcia and Student Support Center middle school math teacher Casandra Jackson. The Caller-Times previously reported on the full list of nominees from each Corpus Christi ISD school. After more than a year of disputes, Corpus Christi Library Board accepts new policy With a federal pause on grants, Port of Corpus Christi's zero-emission goals lie in wait Photos from the aftermath of wildfires in Sinton This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi ISD announces Teacher of the Year winners
