Mission, Texas- Mission High School (MHS) teacher, Victoria Rojas has received the 2016 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award from Humanities Texas. She is one of only 12 recipients in the state out of 700 teachers who were nominated for the honor.
Humanities Texas presents the annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming.
Rojas teaches AP Human Geography and co-teaches a dual credit Mexican American Studies course that was the first of its kind in Texas. Rojas began teaching in 2013 and has quickly become an active part of the development of Mexican American course curriculum in the state. She was also selected as the MHS Teacher of the Year in 2015.
“As a teacher, I set out to take action to provide students with the opportunity to be educated about their local community, develop their identity and become aware individuals who can think critically about the world around them,” said Rojas. “Ethnic studies, this class in particular, opens their minds to their own value and role locally and nationally.” Rojas continues to seek ways to help schools and teachers implement a Mexican American studies course. With the hope of more schools offering the course in Texas and the rest of the nation, the curriculum is now available online to the public. “My passion to provide students with culturally relevant and engaging education is the reason for my continued dedication to the cause.”
“Rojas is the definition of commitment, belief in student success, opportunity and dedication,” said Edilberto Flores, principal of Mission High School (MHS). “Mission High School and the Mission community are fortunate to have a strong advocate for student learning and fidelity to teaching history concepts.” Rojas’s Mexican American studies course, a dual credit course taught in partnership with South Texas College. Through community-oriented activities, her students engage directly with the local history of the Rio Grande Valley and learn about their community’s economic, political and cultural contributions to U.S. history.
State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Humanities Texas board member Manuel Medrano presented Rojas with her award today (October 17). She also received a cash award of $5,000. Campus principal, Edilberto Flores received an additional $500 for the school to purchase instructional materials.
“Humanities Texas is pleased to recognize the achievements of Ms. Rojas and Mission High School,” said Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette. “Ms. Rojas inspires and motivates her students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
Humanities Texas is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Its mission is to advance education through programs that improve the quality of classroom teaching, support libraries and museums and create opportunities for lifelong learning for all Texans.
Pictured is State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa presenting Victoria Rojas with the 2016 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award from Humanities Texas. Also pictured are MHS Principal Edilberto Flores receiving the campus award for instructional materials from Humanities Texas board member Manuel Medrano. In the third picture are: Dr. Ricardo López, superintendent; Petra B. Ramirez, Mission CISD board secretary; Manuel Medrano, Humanities Texas board member; Victoria Rojas, award winner; Minnie R. Rodgers, Mission CISD board member; Dr. Sonia M. Treviño, Mission CISD Board member; Patricia Y. O’Caña-Olivarez, Mission CISD board president; State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.
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