2024 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards recognizes twelve outstanding Houston educators
September 16, 2024
HOUSTON – Twelve Houston-area school teachers were recently honored with the annual Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award (KETA) and a gift of $30,000 each from Kinder Foundation. Among them were two educators from a pair of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese.
A total of $360,000 was granted to 12 teachers from the following schools: Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston – Houston; KIPP Texas Public Schools – Houston; Teach For America Houston; and YES Prep Public Schools. Recipients were nominated by their school leader or school director, have taught at the same network or school for at least three years, are a positive motivator to students and faculty, and have led students to measurable academic growth.
“The Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award recipients are passionate, supportive and effective educators who are invested in their students’ success,” said Nancy Kinder, president and CEO of Kinder Foundation. “We hope they are encouraged by this recognition and continue to inspire others to make a positive difference in their communities.”
KETA has granted over $5 million to 311 teachers since it was established in 2001. This year, the award amount increased for a total gift of $30,000 per recipient. The award has a transformational impact on the lives of the educators who earn it. In the past, teachers have used the award money in various ways to help improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, their students, and their communities.
KETA was created in honor of Rich Kinder’s mother, Edna C. Kinder, who taught special education students for many years in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The 2024 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award winners are:
The Archdiocese of Galveston – Houston
Sandra Rodriguez: Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, St. Christopher Catholic School
Rodriguez is a 21-year faculty member at St. Christopher Catholic School. She has consistently demonstrated the qualities that set her apart as an extraordinary employee at the school. As an exemplary teacher, Rodriguez is always supportive of students and colleagues, and goes above and beyond to meet the diverse needs of her students. She is a master educator who teaches from the heart.
Rodriguez serves on various committees at St. Christopher. She plans events for building a cohesive community at the school, as well as serves as a mentor to teachers. She openly shares her innovative lessons and advanced instructional practices to build capacity in her colleagues, in addition to increasing student outcomes. She is well-known by students, colleagues, and families, as her students love her kindness, caring, and fun spirit.
Rodriguez’s teaching philosophy involves finding and using students’ unique strengths to help them overcome any struggles, and to develop a positive self-concept. This impact is displayed in her students’ behavior and academic growth and achievement. She develops an emotional connection with her students, rooted in warmth, respect, and enjoyment. Rodriguez exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding teacher, exuding passion, initiative, creativity, and determination while inspiring others toward excellence in education
David Sharma: Art and Music Teacher, Electives Department Chair, Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston
David Sharma is an 8-year faculty member at Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston, and began the inaugural music program at the school.
He is a dynamic, critical, and beloved team member whose enthusiasm, love, and passion forteaching is admired and respected by his peers. Sharma instills a love of art, music, and learning in all his junior and senior high students in Ethnomusicology, Theater, Media Communications, and Music–Creative Strategies classes. He also serves as the Chair of the Electives Department.
Sharma is one of Cristo Rey Jesuit’s most dedicated teachers, and continually inspires not only his students in arts, theater, and music, but also is a leader and team player. He serves on the Master Planning Committee for Cristo Rey Jesuit’s new STEAM Building, providing critical contributions to planning and designing the new arts spaces in the building, which include a Black Box Theater.
Sharma is a charismatic and creative educator, displaying excellent classroom management skills as he develops a rapport with students, colleagues, and parents. Beyond his strengths as a music and theater teacher, he also is a talented musician and performs throughout Houston and other parts of the country! Sharma has a calling on his life, and that calling is teaching music which he exquisitely balances with his most important role as father of son Max, a student at St. Catherine’s Montessori School.
He teaches his students to strive for excellence, to love music and art, and to respect each other; and he teaches all his peers to give their best for students, to wear a smile, to have faith, and to remember that the rough loudness of life can turn into the most beautiful of songs.
KIPP Texas Public Schools – Houston
Leona Aaron: English I (Honors English I and Practical Writing Skills) Teacher, KIPP Houston High School
Coleton Dudley: 3rd Grade English Language Arts – Lead Teacher, Writing Department Chair, KIPP Connect Primary School
Huda Hamdan: 5th Grade Math Teacher, KIPP Journey Primary School
Auria Johnson: 8th Grade English Language Arts and Reading Teacher, KIPP 3D Academy
Teach For America Houston
Alexis Gage: 9th Grade Biology Teacher – Lead, Cesar Chavez High School
Eric Pacheco: 3rd Grade Math and Science Teacher, Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary School
YES Prep Public Schools
Erica Lapen: AP English Literature and Restorative Practices Teacher, YES Prep Brays Oaks Secondary
Che’Ron Lewis: Special Education Teacher, YES Prep Northline Secondary
Brenda Rangel: AP English Literature Teacher, YES Prep Southeast Secondary
Hong Tran: 5th Grade Math Teacher, YES Prep Southeast Elementary
The Kinder Foundation, a family foundation established in 1997 by Rich and Nancy Kinder of Houston, Texas, provides transformational grants that impact urban green space, education and quality of life. Learn more at www.kinderfoundation.org.