Congratulations to Mrs. Marisa Villarreal: March Teacher of the Month

Eagle Pass Independent School District has partnered with local businesses throughout our city to highlight the Teacher of the Month program, which honors educators who have made a difference in our community. The program recognizes outstanding kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school teachers in Eagle Pass, Texas.

March's Teacher of the Month is none other than Seco Mines Elementary's Marisa Villarreal. For the past 32 years, Mrs. Villarreal has had exceptional performance in the classroom, motivated students to persevere and achieve, and happily collaborated with her peers. She is dedicated in helping students and identifies the academic standards required to help students master objectives. She is always prepared and presents her lessons in a clear and structured way. Mrs. Villarreal devotes her school and personal time to creating strong teacher-made materials that enhance student learning.

Mrs. Villarreal is always eager to collaborate with her colleagues and is willing to share her very innovative ideas. This school year, Mrs. Villarreal welcomed teachers from Pearsall ISD into her classroom to share with them her best practices. For many years, Mrs. Villarreal had mentored students from Sul Ross State University and she is currently assigned one this Spring 2018 semester.

Aligning with setting academic goals, she builds opportunities into her lesson plans for students to work at different levels differentiating instruction to meet and accommodate all students' needs. Meticulous in her lesson preparation, she looks at every detail and plans according to student success. In detail, she analyzes the curriculum and makes sure she accommodates all her students' needs and prepares specific individual activities for her students so all her students succeed.

Mrs. Villarreal also strives to form strong relationships with students and parents thus demonstrating that she cares about them. With 32 years of experience she continues to make learning fun and has a contagious passion for teaching that radiates through her students' excitement to learn. The positive and supportive relationship she creates in the classroom environment helps her shape a class where learning can flourish. To further connect parents and schools, she regularly stays after school and makes herself available to students and parents who need her. In addition, she communicates frequently with parents through conferences and doesn't hesitate to pick up the phone to call if she is ever concerned. She is a very conscientious teacher who works hard and goes the extra mile to help each student achieve success.

Mrs. Villarreal is the epitome of an authentic teacher and is not afraid to jump into action and do what needs to be done. Unquestionably, she motivates other teachers and her personality radiates the fact that everyone is a valuable and cherished asset with the talent to catapult success. She is also active in her church community, having participated in ACTS locally and helping with fundraisers for charity. Mrs. Villarreal is always willing to better herself personally and professionally.

Her energy, enthusiasm, and dependability make her an exceptional teacher who merits recognition for her fervor to teach, reach, shape, transform, and cultivate the passion of learning in all students. A passion that inspires a sense of accomplishment that students carry for life! For all these reasons and more, Mrs. Villarreal is Teacher of the Month.

A segment will appear on iVision throughout the month of March detailing many more accomplishments of Mrs. Villarreal. This month she will also appear on community media, news publications and the EPISD website throughout March 2018. A teacher will be selected each month through May 2018 for a total of eight (8) honorees. The “Teacher of the Month” will be chosen based on educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and innovative programs and techniques used by the teacher. The “Teacher of the Month” will receive a certificate of recognition and will be featured on iVision, local media news, news publications and radio broadcasting. Additionally, each “Teacher of the Month” will receive donations from local businesses.

Each T.O.M is receiving a “V.I.T (Very Important Teacher) Parking Pass”, a jean voucher for a month, 20 free meals at the Campus Café, and Class Cash to purchase class room supplies. Additionally, each “Teacher of the Month” will receive donations from local businesses. Thank You Ancira Ford–Eagle Pass, Ashley Furniture, Peter Piper Pizza, and Stat Emergency.