Teacher Awards
Call for Nominations: EVELYN SCHWARTZ ENDOWED AWARD
The ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Education is accepting nominations for the Evelyn Schwartz Endowed Award, a monetary recognition honoring novice teachers. This $1,000 award celebrates exceptional novice teachers for their outstanding achievements and innovative teaching practices, such as standards-based instruction, integration of technology, interdisciplinary curricula, and engagement with parents and the school community. The purpose of the award is to encourage new teachers to continue developing their teaching skills and advocating for the profession. Recipients will be recognized at the 2026 ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Education Recognition Event.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have graduated from ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ.
- Have five years or less of teaching experience (excluding student teaching or residency).
- Demonstrate innovative work with students and teaching practices (e.g., standards-based instruction, integration of technology, interdisciplinary curricula, and engagement with parents and the school community).
- Nominations can be submitted by school principals, fellow teachers, school district personnel, or members of the community.
Nomination Process:
- Nomination Deadline: January 23, 2026.
- Nominee will be notified starting January 26, 2026.
- Upon notification, nominees will receive further information and necessary materials via email.
- Nominees must complete and return the required materials by February 6, 2026, to finalize their nomination and be considered for the award.
For questions please contact Susana Aguirre at saguirre2@utep.edu
*Award recipients will be notified via email and honored at the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Education Recognition Event on March 26, 2026.
Call for Nominations: LAVIS EXCELLENCE AWARD
The ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Education is accepting nominations for the Lavis Excellence Award, a monetary recognition honoring mentor teachers. This $2,500 award celebrates exceptional mentor teachers for their excellence in teaching and commitment to guiding teacher candidates. The College of Education deeply values the significance of strong mentor-mentee relationships and their profound impact on professional development and career advancement. Recipients will be recognized at the 2026 ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Education Recognition Event.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Served as a mentor/cooperating teacher for a ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ teacher candidate in the last two years.
- Demonstrated a positive and impactful mentoring relationship with a teacher candidate.
- Mentor teachers may be nominated by their school principals, fellow teachers, school district personnel, or a current or former mentee.
Nomination Process:
- Nomination Deadline: January 23, 2026.
- Nominee will be notified starting January 26, 2026.
- Upon notification, nominees will receive further information and necessary materials via email.
- Nominees must complete and return the required materials by February 6, 2026, to finalize their nomination and be considered for the award.
For questions please contact Susana Aguirre at saguirre2@utep.edu
*Award recipients will be notified via email and honored at the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Education Recognition Event on March 26, 2026.
Past Awardees
2025 - Mentor Awards
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Yvonne Angel Desert Hills Elementary 2nd grade All Subjects Clint ISD |
Vanessa Sias Cooley Elementary 4th grade Monolingual El Paso ISD |
Carolina Munoz Bel Air Middle School 7th Reading language Arts Ysleta ISD |
Michelle Lorio O'Donnell Intermediate School 5th grade Language Arts & Social Studies |
2025 - Novice Awards
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Maira Yisela Rivera Tornillo Pk-8 Stem Academy 1st grade Bilingual Tornillo ISD |
Eric Esquivel Don Haskins PK-8 6th - 8th grade Band El Paso ISD |
2024 - Mentor Awards
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Taila Davila Bel Air High School 11th grade U.S. History Ysleta ISD |
Jasmin Arvizu Horizon Heights Elementary 5th grade All Subjects Socorros ISD |
Lizzette Renteria East Montana Middle School 8th grade Reading Language Arts Clint ISD |
Veronica Vidana Fabens Elementary School Kindergarden Fabens ISD |
2024 - Novice Awards
|
Ana Laura Castillo Fabens Elementary School
3rd grade Math and Science Fabens ISD |
Jorge Lazo Tornillo PK-8 Stem-H Academy 7th grade TX History & 8th grade U.S. History Tornillo ISD |
2023 - Mentor Awards
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Richard Moore Canutillo High School 11th grade U.S. History Canutillo ISD |
Michelle Ware East Montana Middle School 6th grade Reading Language Arts Clint ISD |
Stephanie Herrera Horizon Heights Elementary 1st grade All Content Areas Socorro ISD |
Erica Johnson Fabens High School 10th grade English Fabens ISD |
Michael Evanko Douglas El Dorado High School 9th grade Biology Socorro ISD |
2023 - Novice Awards
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Miriam Minjarez Tornillo Elementary School 2nd grade All Content Tornillo ISD |
Ashley Ann Ornelas Carroll T. Welch Elementary 3rd grade All Subjects Clint ISD |
2022 - Mentor Awards
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Natalie E. Lopez El Dorado High School 10th grade English II Socorro ISD |
Gloria A. Zafiro-Salazar East Montana Middle School 6th grade Reading Language Arts Clint ISD |
Nancy Rubio Carroll T. Welch 3rd grade All Subjects Ysleta ISD |
Hilda Dominguez Parkland Elementary 1st grade All Subjects Ysleta ISD |
Frania P. Paugh El Dorado High School 10th & 11th grade English II & English Dual Credit Socorro ISD |
2022 - Novice Awards
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Benjamin R. Vega Montana Vista Elementary EC-5th Physical Education Clint ISD |
Citlali Avalos Fabens High School 10th grade English II Fabens ISD |
Daniel Rangel East Montana Middle School 8th grade Social Studies Clint ISD |
Yessica Fernandez Acosta Helen Ball Elementary 3rd grade All Subjects Socorro ISD |
Ivette M. Falcon Eastwood High School 9th grade Algebra I Ysleta ISD |
2020 - Mentor Awards
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Adrian Flores Aoy Elementary Physical Education El Paso ISD |
Brenda Aguirre Myrtle Cooper Elementary School Dual Kindergarden Socorro ISD |
2020 - Novice Awards
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Cynthia Rangel John Drugan Elementary School John Drugan Elementary School Socorro ISD |
Miguel Saldana Col. John O. Ensor Middle School Physical Education Socorro ISD |
