Teachers from Perez, Rowe named District Teachers of the Year

Two teachers in unique fields were named District Teachers of the Year at the 30th annual McAllen ISD Teachers of the Year Luncheon on May 6.

They are Lucas Serna, a special education instructor from Perez Elementary, and Isidro Lerma, a theatre instructor from James “Nikki” Rowe High.

A teacher can make a lasting, positive impact on many young people. Each year, McAllen ISD holds a luncheon to honor the Campus Teachers of the Year who are selected by their peers at their campuses. This year, teachers from all 31 campuses were honored along with two Technology Teachers of the Year, two Counselors of the Year and the Head Start Teacher of the Year.

“I feel like it’s rewarding working with those kids,” Serna said. “They are so loving. Seeing them progress. It’s incredible. These are kids with disabilities so it’s not going to define them. They are capable of so much more.”

Lerma said the reason he teaches is simple.

“My students,” he said. “Knowing you have a little bit of impact on them and that you have a little bit to do with how far they can go and showing them how much potential they really have. A lot of times these kids doubt themselves. They doubt their abilities.”

Both gentlemen will be in the running for the Regional Teacher of the Year which will be announced in late summer. McAllen ISD teachers have earned 22 Regional or State Teacher of the Year titles since 1992.

Serna graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2016, majoring in biology and minoring in folklore. He came to McAllen ISD in 2020 as a Special Education Teacher and works with children from multiple grade levels. For five years, he has served as a volunteer for South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association.

One key lesson he likes focuses on acquiring life skills through hands-on activities. This includes setting a table, tying shoes, and classroom jobs. He finds that it teaches independence, confidence and a sense of purpose in each student.

Lerma loves theatre, something he has taught since 2010. His Rowe 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.

McAllen ISD’s Elementary Campus Teachers of the Year include Adriana Ramirez (Alvarez Elementary), Clarisse Arredondo (Castaneda), Sonia Preciado (Escandon), Arturo Puente (Fields), Adriana Dominguez (Garza), Rubisel Galvan (Gonzalez), Manuelita Flores (Hendricks), Mayra Benavidez (Houston), Jaime Garza (Jackson), Jessica Mendez (McAuliffe), Juanita Olivarez (Milam), Lucas Serna (Perez), Charlotte Hollinger (Rayburn), Perla Arizpe (Roosevelt), Nora Quintero (Sanchez), Rose Arevalo (Seguin), Mariela Alvarez (Thigpen-Zavala), and Brenda Vidales (Wilson).

McAllen ISD’s Secondary Campus Teachers of the Year include Keyla Garza (Brown Middle School), Ester Hernandez (Cathey), Janice Rivera (De Leon), Gloria Garza (Fossum), Miriam Saldana (Morris), Danielle Stuber (Travis), Daniel Saenz Jr. (Achieve Early College High), Daniel Galeana (Instruction and Guidance Center), Laura Chavez (Lamar Academy), Amanda Kopecky (McAllen High), Shereen Charleston (Memorial High), Isidro Lerma (Rowe High), and Claudia Cavazos (UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy).

In addition, McAllen ISD also honored two technology teachers, two counselors and a Head Start Teacher of the Year.

The Technology Teachers of the Year include Julie Trevino of Castaneda Elementary and Brittany Carpenter of Cathey Middle School. The Counselors of the Year include Jacqueline Cantu of Houston Elementary and Briana Rojas of McAllen High. The Head Start Pre-Kinder Teacher of the Year for Hidalgo County is Yvette Benavidez of Houston Elementary.