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Exceptional educatorBilingual teacher Gloria Galvan named one of S.A.’s finest for her work

with Price Elementary School fifth graders. P16-17

Marvin Pfeiffer / San Antonio Express-News

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Gloria Galvan’s fifth-gradersare disciples of her innovativelessons.

Recently, Mozart played soft-ly in the background as stu-dents focused on a board gamethat delved into the mysteries ofscience. They raved about theirheroes, who include Mexican

artist Frida Kahlo and theGreek philosopher Socrates.Their arms shot up, like rocketszooming in the air, to answerher questions from a lessonthat combined the arts andtechnology.

Their teacher spoke proudlyof their aspirations to becomesymphony conductors, lawyers,scientists and the U.S president.

In Galvan’s bilingual class, thestudents understand excellenceis the standard.

“I was you, where you aresitting,” she recalled telling herstudents. “I was there at onepoint in my life.”

The Price Elementary Schooleducator was one of two teach-ers who recently won the 2016-2017 Trinity Prize for Excellence

in Teaching for outstandingperformance in San Antoniopublic schools. The university’seducation department choseGalvan and Ali Goljahmofrad, aquantitative reasoning teacherat Roosevelt High School, as thecity’s top teachers.

The duo were among 19 final-ists chosen for displaying lead-ership in their school and dis-

Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News

Educator Gloria Galvan of South San Antonio ISD reacts after was she awarded the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching on April 7.

Innovative Price Elementaryeducator motivates studentsBy Vincent T. DavisSTAFF WRITER

Bilingual teacherwins Trinity’sexcellence award

Bilingual teacherwins Trinity’sexcellence award

trict, leadership in the educa-tion profession and outstand-ing community service. Bothteachers received $2,500 and acrystal apple at the April 7event sponsored by TrinityUniversity and H-E-B.

South San Antonio ISD su-perintendent Abelardo Saa-vedra said Galvan representedthe quality of teachers educat-ing the children in the district.

Florinda Castillo, principal atPrice Elementary, said Galvan’sdedication to her students ex-tends beyond the classroom.The principal said Galvan hasstrong relationships with herstudents’ families, and oncetraveled to Houston with astudent who had a brain tumorand needed treatment, at hisrequest.

“She’s a big part of Price,”Castillo said. “She really makeslearning fun, and she’s a rolemodel to other teachers.”

For the past 12 years, Galvanhas taught at Price Elementary,located near Southwest MilitaryDrive and Somerset Road. Shesaid she identifies with her

students, having had languageissues and growing up in afamily with a lower socioeco-nomic status.

Galvan, 35, has wanted toteach since she was a younggirl. She practiced by assigninghomework and journal writingto her younger brothers. Herfifth-grade teacher inspiredGalvan and exposed her to new

subjects and literature, such as“The Diary of Anne Frank.”

However, it was the lack of astrong, dual-language programin school while growing up thatprompted her to attend theUniversity of Texas at San An-tonio for its bilingual program.She wanted to help Spanish-speaking students retain astrong grasp of their first lan-

guage as they mastered a sec-ond one.

“We need to empower thesekids and show them that even ifthey’re young, they have avoice,” she said. “They canstand up for themselves, andthey’re capable of anything.”

Martin Ledesma, 10, was oneof four students whose parentsdrove them to Trinity Universi-

ty for the award ceremony. Hegasped and applauded alongwith his fellow classmates andGalvan’s colleagues when thefirst part of Galvan’s biographywas read at the Ruth TaylorRecital Hall.

Martin surprised his teacherby presenting her with a pot-ted, large purple flower that hismother had bought.

“I love my students,” Galvansaid at the ceremony as tearsfilled her eyes. “And they knowthat.”

Martin said he was proud tohave a teacher who teaches inan unique way.

“It’s very important in thecommunity if you win anaward like that,” he said. “Shetells us to keep going to schooland never give up.”

Melanie Rodriguez, 11, saidGalvan’s lessons will alwaysstay with her.

“The one thing I’m going tocarry with me is how she al-ways told us, you’re going to besomething great,” Melanie said,“and you can make a differencein the world.”

Photos by Marvin Pfeiffer / San Antonio Express-News

Galvan, abilingualfifth-gradeteacher atPriceElementarySchool, playsa sciencevocabularyword gamewith(clockwisefrom left)Henesi Mora,11, JasminSoto, 10,Gabriel Garza,11, DaisyFlores, 10, andBradley Bell,11. Galvansays sheidentifies withher students,as she hadlanguageissues as achild.

ENcommunities.com | Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | 17SRSOUTHSIDE REPORTER

Galvan’s studentsexpress their gratitude

in signs posted in theclassroom. “The one

thing I’m going to carrywith me is how she

always told us, you’regoing to be something

great,” said one, “andyou can make a

difference in the world.”