KENS 5 Anchor Sarah Forgany and Credit Human surprised Alexander Olivarez with the KENS 5 EXCEL Award and a $2,000 check.
SAN ANTONIO — Never one to go by dogmatic rules, one local coach and teacher has it all “worked out.”
Alexander Olivarez won the KENS 5 EXCEL Award for Harlandale ISD where KENS 5’S Sarah Forgany and Credit Human surprised him with a $2,000 check. After 12 years as an educator, he’s found the perfect balance between discipline, team work, and most of all, a sense of humor.
“ It was definitely unexpected.”
Coach Alexander Olivarez is usually cracking jokes but that particular morning he was at a loss for words after he and his team got called in to the gym.
“I thought, we’re all in trouble,” Olivarez recalled. “like we’re about to get yelled at.”
There actually was a little bit of yelling but the good kind and it’s because the Coach had just landed a surprise touchdown, winning the KENS 5 EXCEL Award.
“He’s always telling me about life lessons. How the lesson compares to life,” said one of his Juniors before another chimed in, “He was teaching the whole team about choices and consequences and how that can affect our life in the future.”
Olivarez has a history of doing a lot of heavy lifting around Harlandale High School.
In addition to coaching, he’s also teaching 11th Grade US History OnRamps and 12th grade African American Studies.
“I always tell them I’m two different people. I’m a coach over here and over there, I’m sir, or Mr. Olivares.”
From the weight room to teaching a college level history course, It’s pretty much non-stop for Mr. and Coach Olivarez.
“Yeah, it’s a grind,” Olivarez said shaking his hand, but with deep appreciation and passion.
He balances that grind with levity as his juniors and seniors are also under pressure trying to tackle the rigorous history college course.
“First I joke with them. I make the class environment one where they could come in and feel, okay,” Olivarez said, explaining how he finds that special connection with his students. “Once you get that buy in from them, it’s sky’s the limit.”
Olivarez says they will pretty much do anything he asks of them once he’s gained their trust. But of all the advice and life lessons he’s given them, there is one thing he tells them every day that resonates with them most.
“Every day he asks the class how are you?,” said one junior.
That’s right, that simple question is what they appreciate the most about Olivarez.
“It’s a good way to start the class,” said another student. While a third jumped in and added, “It shows that he cares.”
It’s evident Olivarez does care and is very passionate whether he’s coaching or teaching.
“Sometimes they need family too and some of us, as coaches, as teachers, they look at us as part of their family and we are their extended family,” Olivarez said with emotion in his voice. “I’m there for them and I feel like they’re there for me.”