PSJA ISD Honors Years of Service at Annual Awards & Retirement Celebration

PHARR – Pharr-San-Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) hosted its annual Service Awards & Retirement Celebration on May 8, 2025. The event, themed “A Jazz Night at PSJA,” celebrated the dedication and commitment of staff members with 25 or more years of service and honored the district’s retirees.

Dr. Alejandro Elias, Superintendent of PSJA, extended heartfelt congratulations to service award recipients and retirees, emphasizing their significant contributions to the district. “Tonight is a tribute to those who make PSJA extraordinary. To our honorees and retirees—thank you for shaping lives and strengthening the foundation of our district,” said Dr. Elias.

The celebration included dinner, special remarks from district leaders, and live music by the PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School Jazz Band. Among the honored individuals was Raul Longoria Elementary teacher Karin I. Isaacs, recognized for an exceptional 40 years of service to PSJA ISD. Reflecting on her years as an educator, the passion and dedication that she feels for her students shines through as she expresses that helping educate our future is her motivation for teaching.

“I want to do everything I can to help my students lead successful lives. I care deeply about each of them and strive to always be there when they need support,” said Isaacs. “The greatest reward in teaching comes when I see their faces light up and hear them say, ‘I can read!’, ‘I got it’ or I can do this!”

The celebration honored 137 service award honorees and over 100 retirees, including teachers, administrators, food service staff, transportation personnel, and many others, all of whom have played pivotal roles in ensuring the best learning experiences for students at PSJA ISD.

Also honored among the retirees was Dr. Nora Cantu, Executive Officer for Academics, who has proudly served PSJA ISD for 44 years. She began her career as a middle school teacher and rose through the ranks to become a district administrator. Looking ahead, Dr. Cantu shared her excitement about spending more time with her family, especially her 88-year-old mother. She also plans to travel, craft, garden, and launch a new business.

“I felt a mix of happiness and sadness at tonight’s event, it was truly bittersweet,” said Dr. Cantu. “After serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Executive Officer, this marks the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. I will deeply miss my PSJA family.”

The event served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of dedicated educators and staff within the PSJA ISD community who regardless of their role exemplify the district’s commitment to excellence.