McAllen ISD theatre arts teacher named Regional Teacher of the Year

Isidro Lerma, a theatre arts teacher from McAllen ISD’s James “Nikki” Rowe High School, has earned Regional Secondary Teacher of the Year honors.

Lerma joins an elite group. In the past 35 years, McAllen ISD teachers have earned 23 Regional or State Teacher of the Year titles – the most in the South Texas Region.

The Region One Education Service Center celebrated 51 district teachers of the year from Brownsville to Laredo and announced the regional elementary and secondary honorees during its annual Teacher of the Year ceremony on July 31 in Edinburg.

Throughout his career, Lerma has cultivated a classroom where students of diverse areas can safely explore their creativity and bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the group. Many of his students have earned major theatre awards.

“In theatre, we teach so many life skills,” he said. “My whole philosophy is about preparing them (students) to be as successful as they can be … and preparing them for after they leave us.”

Lerma has taught theatre since 2010. His experience has taken him through De Leon Middle School, McAllen High School and even Community Theatre.

“As an educator, I have always believed that healthy competition drives success,” Lerma wrote in an essay for the Regional Teacher of the Year submission. “Theatre has always been regarded as a subject that requires motivation and a full company of individuals working toward the same goal in order to be successful. Many times, I find that other theatre programs lack competition. After my first few years of teaching, I told myself, ‘These kids need something to fight for.’ This is how our International Thespian Society Chapter came to be.”

Each year, students in the chapter take a trip to watch performances, participate in theatre workshops and even take part in college auditions, according to a Region One ESC press release. To be accepted, students must earn points by participating in productions, maintaining good grades in all classes and demonstrating a positive attitude.

Lerma’s students have earned many nominations through the Valley’s Palm Awards. He strives to convey to his students why theatre should be respected and what it can do for them. He views theatre as an art form that explores humanity and demonstrates how people from differing backgrounds can come together to achieve something that impacts the community.

“One of my proudest moments as an educator is the community outreach we encourage our students to join,” he wrote. “Every year, we ask them to find a non-profit organization they are passionate about and that needs assistance. We are always looking for ways to teach our students how theatre can give back to the community.”

In recent years, his students have performed at McAllen ISD elementary schools and the Edinburg Children’s Hospital.

District Teachers of the Year are nominated by their school districts and submit an application with essay questions. These questions ask nominees to describe a defining lesson or unit, a project or initiative that has improved school culture, how they ensure education transcends the classroom, a major public education issue and their message to the public.

Lerma was named the McAllen ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year at a luncheon on May 6. The district also named its Elementary Teacher of the Year, Lucas Serna from Perez Elementary.

Every fall, the Texas State Teacher of the Year Program honors 40 Regional Teachers of the Year, among which are two State Teachers of the Year — one in elementary education and one in secondary education — and four state finalists. These regional teachers represent each of the 20 Education Service Center regions in Texas.

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) administers the Texas Teacher of the Year Program.

Region One Education Service Center serves more than 422,000 students and educators in seven South Texas counties. Region One assists school systems with enhancing student performance, operating efficiently and implementing initiatives assigned by the legislature or Commissioner of Education.

About McAllen ISD

McAllen ISD is a four-time winner of the state’s highest rating, an “A,” and a seven-time winner of the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. In 2022, McAllen ISD was named the Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 20,000 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).