The Socorro Independent School District celebrated its 2019 Teacher of the Year Gala at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center, where officials honored their Campus Teachers of the Year and named their top two Teachers of the Year at the annual event.
The 2019 SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year is Perla Lozoya from Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary. She is a fourth-grade teacher and has 14 years of teaching experience.
“I’m honored and humbled by this because there are so many outstanding and amazing educators in SISD,” Lozoya said.
The 2019 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year is Luis Iturriaga from Spc. Rafael Hernando III Middle School. He is a seventh- and eighth-grade Gateway to Technology teacher and has 24 years of teaching experience.
“This is a great honor. The responsibility is immense because now I am not just representing my campus, now I’m representing the entire district. But I am ready to accept the challenge and move forward,” Iturriaga said.
More than 1,100 attendees from all over the district attended the annual celebration, including the SISD superintendent, board trustees, teachers, principals, family members, Partners in Education and staff.
“You are heroes in the classroom and the number one reason why our district is extremely successful,” said SISD Superintendent José Espinoza, Ed.D. at the gala. “You are the heart of the Team SISD!”
The district elementary and secondary winners will go on to represent SISD in the Region 19 2019 Teacher of Year competition in August.
The Teacher of the Year from each school and the Elite 8 finalists were recognized at the gala, hosted by KTSM Channel 9 News Anchor Natassia Paloma.
