Two Socorro Independent School District educators, Elias Rangel, fifth-grade teacher at Campestre Elementary School, and Miguel Moreno, instructional technology coordinator, were selected as recipients of the 2016 Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Teacher Trailblazer Award and the Excellence in Digital Leadership Award, respectively.
Both Team SISD employees will be recognized for their implementation of unique and innovative technology ideas into education curriculum at the Ignite16 conference June 15 at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, TX.
“We are so proud of these two educators who are leading the way to student success through the use of technology in Team SISD. They both have been instrumental in using technology to ensure the success of the WIN academy and DNA 1:1 program,” said Superintendent José Espinoza. “We applaud their outstanding work in helping prepare our students for college, careers, and life through our Operation Future Ready efforts.”
The WIN Academy is an innovative, student-centered program created to ensure all children have the opportunities and support needed to achieve academic success. WIN is an acrostic for Work hard, I can do it Attitude, and Never give up.
Students in the WIN academy are provided tablets and other technology resources to assist in their learning. The WIN program will be expanded to 16 campuses during the 2016-17 school year.
Rangel earned the Trailblazer award for his new approaches to teaching and learning as a WIN Academy teacher. Campestre principal Rosie Vasquez said Rangel is transforming the way students learn while developing winning attitudes.
“I’m so glad that Mr. Rangel received this award,” Vasquez said. “He is an exceptional educator who goes above and beyond to help students succeed. This award shows how dedicated we are when it comes to student success at SISD and Campestre Elementary School.”
In addition, SISD also implemented the Digitally Nurturing Academics (DNA) 1:1 initiative which creates transformational, digital age instruction to increase student achievement. Moreno’s leadership and innovation in the DNA program earned him the Excellence in Digital Leadership Award.
Through the program, students receive laptop computers to use 24/7 for school work and homework. Students at Socorro and Pebble Hills high schools already have received laptops in the DNA program and students at Americas and El Dorado high schools will receive them for the 2016-2017 school year.
“I’m humbled and surprised to receive this award,” Moreno said. “It represents the commitment of the district, to include teachers and students, in helping our students experience education in a different way and broaden their opportunity through the use of technology.”
