EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Nancy Chavira, a teacher in the Fabens Independent School District, got a big surprise on Friday morning, Feb. 7.
When she went to a scheduled school assembly featuring Texas Education Agency Deputy Commissioner of Operations Alejandro Delgado, she had no idea that she was actually the guest of honor.
Chavira was presented with the Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize, that she can use however she wants, according to a news release sent out by the Milken Educator Award program.
She wasn’t the only Borderland teacher who got a Milken award on Friday.
Joshua Marmolejo, with Clint ISD, also won the prestigious award and received a $25,000 prize.
In Fabens, Chavira is a fifth-grade math and science lead teacher at Johanna O’Donnell Intermediate School.
She teaches in what is called a 50-50 classroom where students learn in both Spanish and English.
She is the first-ever Milken Educator Award recipient in Fabens ISD history and the 58th recipient in the Lone Star State since Texas joined the Milken Educator Awards in 2000.
“Nancy Chavira sets a high bar when it comes to being a role model for young students and fellow colleagues,” said Jane Foley, who is the senior vice president for the Milken Educator Awards and is a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator herself. “Her unwavering dedication has made a positive impact on her classroom, school and the community. Thank you, Nancy, for encouraging your students to dream big and spark a love of lifelong learning. Congratulations and welcome to the Milken Educator Network of excellence.”
Chavira and Marmolejo join a national network of over 3,000 Milken educators spanning the awards’ nearly 40-year history.
Marmolejo leads the P-TECH automotive technology program at Clint High School. He is the first-ever Milken Award winner in Clint ISD history.
“Joshua Marmolejo’s passion for his craft and leadership in the P-TECH automotive technology program are creating a roadmap for students to succeed in school and the workforce,” Foley said. “Beyond the classroom, Joshua plays an important role in his professional learning community and serves students and families throughout the district. We welcome Joshua into the Milken Educator Network, where he will have the opportunity to expand his impact and change even more lives. Congratulations!”
“Hailed as the ‘Oscars of Teaching,’ the Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and entire communities to ‘Celebrate, Elevate and Activate’ the K-12 teaching profession and encourage young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career. More than $75 million in individual financial prizes and more than $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall,” according to the news release.
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to K-12 teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education, the news release said.
Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.
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