UTEP College of Education Honors Outstanding Educators at 2024 Recognition Event
El Paso, TX, April 1, 2024 – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Education hosted its annual Recognition Event on March 28, 2024, at 150 Sunset. This signature event celebrated partnerships and recognized outstanding educators for their exemplary contributions to the field of education.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to individuals and organizations whose remarkable dedication and innovative initiatives have left an indelible mark on education in our community.
"The 2024 Recognition Event was a celebration of partnerships and the incredible educators who inspire us every day," said Dean Clifton Tanabe. "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients and express our gratitude to our partners and sponsors for their continued support."
Among the honorees was GiGi's Playhouse El Paso, represented by Maggie Morales-Moody, Executive Director, who received the Partnership Recognition award for their outstanding collaboration with the College of Education.
Additionally, the College of Education recognized Joyce Asing Cashman, Ph.D., assistant dean from the Teacher Preparation Program, with the Outstanding Staff Award, and Paul Carrola, Ph.D., from the Department of Counseling, Special Education, and Educational Psychology, with the Outstanding Faculty Award for their exceptional contributions to advancing the missions of the college.
Each year, the college also acknowledges outstanding novice and mentor teachers who have made significant contributions to the field. Thanks to the generosity of two endowments, the college had presented two novice and four mentor teacher awards at the 2024 Recognition event.
The Outstanding Novice Teacher award, celebrates recent UTEP graduates who exhibit exceptional promise in their teaching careers. The award was made possible through the Edward and Evelyn Schwartz Endowed Award.
Ana Laura Castillo, a third grade educator at Fabens Elementary School, and Jorge Lazo Jr., a Texas and US History teacher at Tornillo PreK-8 STEM-H Academy, each received a monetary award of $1,000 for their innovative teaching approaches and unwavering dedication to fostering student success.
In the Outstanding Mentor Teacher category, the college recognized educators who have provided invaluable mentorship to College of Education teacher candidates. These recipients were honored through the John and Gloria Lavis Excellence Award.
The recipients of the 2024 Lavis Excellence Award, Jasmin Arvizu, a fifth grade teacher at Horizon Heights Elementary in Socorro ISD; Talia Leilani Davila, who teaches 9th-12th grade Theater Arts at Bel Air High School in Ysleta ISD; Lizzette Renteria, an 8th-grade Reading Language Arts teacher at East Montana Middle School in Clint ISD; and Veronica E. Vidaña, who teaches kindergarten at Fabens Elementary School in Fabens ISD, each received a monetary award of $2,500 for their dedication to fostering positive mentoring relationships and guiding the next generation of teachers.
The event was made possible by the generous support of Raiz Federal Credit Union, the event sponsor.