Teacher of the Month Connects with Kids in Two Languages

Valle Vista Elementary bilingual teacher honored

Teresa Rodriguez, a Valle Vista bilingual teacher, is named APS Teacher of the Month

March 5, 2010

For a teacher who teaches in two languages, Teresa Rodriguez had some difficulty describing how she felt about being named APS Teacher of the Month in front of her peers. She settled on “shocked and honored” about the award for which her fellow teachers at Valle Vista Elementary nominated her.

Rodriguez was recognized for her commitment to students in grades 1-5 at Valle Vista, where she is in her first year as bilingual reading intervention specialist. She works with kids who need additional help in reading English and Spanish. It’s a promotion after spending the first six years of her career teaching mostly first grade at the school.

“When an award comes from those you work with, it just means more,” Rodriguez said.

Pepsi and the APS Education Foundation sponsor the award, in which an APS school is randomly selected and the principal is asked to choose a teacher. Teachers receive a $50 check from Pepsi and recognition on the APS website and Facebook page. The award was started this year to honor teachers for their outstanding contribution to their classroom, school and community.

“Teresa Rodriguez is very deserving of this award,” Valle Vista Principal Theresa Archuleta said. “Her respect for families and staff and her professionalism are outstanding.”

Archuleta said she has a great staff at Valle Vista and it just made sense to have the teachers nominate one of their colleagues and explain why they nominated that person. She said the award gives schools the opportunity to “celebrate teachers.”

“It’s been a pleasure to visit schools this year and give something back to the teachers,” said Phill Casaus, executive director of the Foundation. “Teresa Rodriguez deserves congratulations for her hard work and the positive impact she makes on children.”

Every child has a right to a quality public education and APS is committed to providing that education. For more information about Albuquerque Public Schools, visit www.aps.edu.