Melinda Valdez, a STEM teacher at Beard Elementary School, was told by her principal, Josh Kuhlmann, that a crew from NISD Media Production would be coming to take some video for some marketing materials for the district. But that was all a ruse.
Following the videographers were KENS 5 News Reporter Sarah Forgany and Superintendent Dr. John Craft, who explained the real reason for class interruption—the announcement that Valdez is the 2024-25 EXCEL Award winner for NISD.
“I feel very humbled,” she said as all students and special guests applauded the announcement. “I do it for the students. They are my why!”
KENS5TV and Credit Human representatives, who joined the assembly, presented Valdez with a crystal apple and a $2,000 check. They annually give the EXCEL Award to an outstanding teacher in school districts throughout the San Antonio area.
Valdez, who is in her 24th year of teaching at NISD, said she has the best job in the district being a STEM teacher at Beard Elementary.”
“ ’Children don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’ is a motto that I have lived by for the past 24 years,” Valdez said. “My goal is to educate children beyond knowledge and skills. I try very hard to build relationships with my students while creating a safe space for them to learn, to fail, and to persevere.”
Due to an incident when she was in middle school and thanks to some inspirational teachers during her high school years, Valdez said she knew then that she would someday become a high school teacher.
“I wanted to build relationships with students and make sure my students developed a love for school,” she said. However, after having children, she soon realized that her calling was to teach young children at the elementary school level.
During her career in Northside, Valdez has taught at Steubing, Hatchett, and Beard elementary schools.
The story will air on KENS on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. View pictures from this special surprise announcement.