The Socorro Independent School District honored its 82 WIN Academy teachers at the 2018-2019 end-of-year celebration gala.
The WIN Academy is a unique program in SISD that provides students, who struggle in a traditional educational setting, more learning time via nine-hour school days Monday-Thursday, a double dose of reading and math, digital devices and curriculum, and personalized learning with a teacher who loops with them for three years.
“We are super excited to celebrate and honor the work of our WIN teachers,” said Lucia Borrego, chief academic officer. “There are so many reasons WIN teachers are special. They work hard, put in the time and energy, and their tenacity and perseverance is outstanding.”
To begin the celebration, Superintendent José Espinoza, Ed.D., thanked WIN teachers for their commitment to students. Teachers then enjoyed a sit-down dinner and a musical performance by Socorro Middle School student Ivy Gonzalez.
“It’s an honor to work with WIN students and give back to the community,” said Crystal Soto, a WIN Academy teacher at Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School. “I am able to relate to my students because I come from a low socio-economic background, and I had a disability when I was growing up. My teachers really helped me and now I’m able to do the same. We work hard, have an ‘I can do it’ attitude, and never give up.”
The WIN Academy is helping students build confidence and make gains in reading and math.
“We are not just their teachers, we are also their mentors,” Soto said. “It’s been amazing building relationships with our kids, and being someone they can look up to. We want to be the person that years later they come back to and ask for a letter of recommendation.”
To conclude the gala, WIN teachers were presented an award as a small token of appreciation.
“We are really grateful for our WIN teachers because they truly believe in the kids,” Borrego said. “They will roll up their sleeves to help them be successful.”
The WIN Academy is offered at 19 campuses across the district; Campestre, Escontrias, H.D. Hilley, Hueco, James P. Butler, Lujan-Chavez, Mission Ridge, Purple Heart, Robert R. Rojas, and Sierra Vista elementary schools; Bill Sybert, Desert Wind, Ernesto Serna and Jane A. Hambric K-8 schools; Capt. Walter E. Clarke, Salvador H. Sanchez, Socorro, and Sun Ridge middle schools; and Socorro High School.
Published June 26, 2019
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