DALLAS— Silvia Alonzo, a bilingual reading/language arts teacher at John H. Reagan Elementary School, has been named the Teacher of the Year for the Dallas Independent School District.
Alonzo, a Dallas ISD graduate, was awarded the honor at the district’s annual Teacher of the Year event and dinner on April 17 sponsored by Central Market and H.E.B. She was awarded a $5,000 prize. A committee of educators, parents, community partners and others selected Alonzo the winner from a field of five finalists.
Alonzo said she makes a difference in the lives of her second- and third-grade bilingual students by becoming their biggest cheerleader. “I encourage them, give them praise, and build up their confidence by reminding them of how intelligent they are and how I truly believe they have the power to accomplish great things,” said Alonzo.
Sebastian Bozas, principal of John H. Reagan Elementary, wrote in his recommendation of Alonzo that she is a leader who reflects the core beliefs of Dallas ISD.
“Ms. Silvia Alonzo is the example of the teacher we all remember from our youth. She is the teacher we all wish we could go back and thank for their efforts,” Bozas wrote. “She is the teacher all teachers (at Reagan) support because she exemplifies the best of Dallas ISD.”
Dallas ISD also congratulates the four other Teacher of the Year finalists:
- Dana Clark, science teacher, Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
- Patrick McGhee, High School Language Arts teacher, Woodrow Wilson High School
- Travis Smith, high school math teacher, Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College at Mountain View College
- Emily Tang, English teacher, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School
