Despite recognition, Alamo teacher remains humble

ALAMO - Claudia Peña knows that as an educator, her work deeply impacts the lives of every one of her young students.

"This is what we do as teachers," said Peña, a second-grade math teacher at North Alamo Elementary School. "It's my job."

But she doesn't see her work as anything out of the ordinary. Peña said she merely follows state requirements and often comes up with activities for her students "to keep them engaged and make them kind of forget they're learning."

Still, others see her as a uniquely dedicated instructor who is a role model for many others following her career path.

"She's a very caring person," said Sylvia Hernandez, the school's principal. "I often send education students from (South Texas College) and new substitutes to observe her classroom."

Last week, the 12-year teaching veteran was presented with a $25,000 Milken National Educator Award. The prize was given to about 80 educators throughout the United States. Peña and an instructor from San Antonio were the only two to earn the award in Texas.

"I was speechless when I found out," Peña said. "As a teacher you never really expect this kind of recognition."
Peña's job isn't easy. The teacher said one major obstacle she faces in the classroom is knowing how to teach students who may have a troubled home environment.

"Sometimes the parents could have problems, or maybe they had a bad morning," she said. "If I see a student has a problem understanding a math concept, sometimes I have to stop and talk to them about it to make sure they're not thinking about something else."

Peña said that to be a successful teacher, one has to understand children as a whole and not just view them from an academic perspective.

"You need to remember that they're little children," she said. "They require a lot of attention."

She doesn't get money until April but her sons, 8 and 4, already have their own plans for the award.

"The boys are thinking Disney World, but I'm thinking more along the lines of using the money for my professional goals," she said.
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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.