17 Nov 2005
Arellano Has Served the District for Seven Years
DALLAS– Maria del Carmen Arellano was named first Dallas Independent School District Teacher Assistant of the Year during a reception held Thursday, Nov. 17, in the School Administration Building.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Deputy Superintendent Steve Flores presented Arellano the award.
Arellano, a bilingual teacher assistant at Jill Stone Elementary School at Vickery Meadow, has served at that school for the past seven years, since she started her career in education. She is currently working toward earning a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a teaching certification.
One of the nominators describes Arellano as a person who "has enhanced and supported the learning environment in every class she has worked with. She has helped teachers in all grade levels. Her permanent smile and helpful attitude toward students, teachers, staff, and parents is appreciated on a daily basis."
Students credit her for helping them pass the TAKS test thanks to the time she spends tutoring them.
Fellow educators say that Arellano "is intuitive in her approach and knows how to reach children." They also admire her ability "to convey the lessons with love, respect and joy."
"In order to be successful in education, we need to be understanding and appreciate individual diversity," said Arellano. "Each child should be treated with equality and should be given the tools to become respectable citizens."
Arellano also believes that "cultivating love for education in a student is essential for the learning process." Her philosophy is that educators have a duty to plant seeds of life-long learning and nurture them to grow within a student.
Arellano is a single mother of two, and the first of nine children in her family who will graduate from college. She also has been teaching Sunday school at her church for more than five years.
Arellano says that experiencing the struggles faced by her students has motivated her to continue her education, to expand her knowledge and ability to continue helping students.
"I want to make a difference, and if I can make a difference in one child, I know I am doing what I was meant to do," said Arellano.
The DISD Teacher Assistant of the Year is chosen from among the Area Teacher Assistants of the Year on the basis of their teaching philosophy, professional background and highlights of their interaction with students, parents and members of the community. The selection committee is composed of representatives from Teen Board, Inside Track, the Dallas Council of PTAs, teachers, administrators and employee organizations.
Finalists for this year's award were:
• Area 1 – Barbara J. Gant, Frederick Douglass Elementary School
• Area 2 – Diane Harris, Albert Sidney Johnston Elementary School
• Area 3 – Irene Garcia, Walnut Hill Elementary School
• Area 5 – Donna Broadnax, Barbara Jordan Elementary School
• Area 6 – Felipe Cruz, James S. Hogg Elementary School
• Alternative Schools – Alice Hawkins, Elementary Alternative Education Program South
The winner, Arellano, represents DISD Area 4 schools.