Cynthia Lopez of Harlandale ISD was surprised with the KENS 5 EXCEL Award and a $2,000 check from Credit Human.
SAN ANTONIO — SAN ANTONIO- What started as a school assembly quickly turned into an unforgettable surprise for one longtime educator at Harlandale Middle School.
Eighth grade English teacher, Cynthia Lopez, thought she was simply watching a presentation alongside her students. Instead, she found herself at the center of it, named both Teacher of the Year and the recipient of the KENS 5 EXCEL Award, which includes a $2,000 prize from Credit Human.
The entire eighth grade class filled the audience as the announcement was made, catching Lopez completely off guard.
Lopez has spent 22 years in education and currently teaches eighth grade English at Harlandale Middle School.
Beyond the classroom, she serves on multiple school committees, mentors fellow teachers and is a strong advocate for literacy, helping students build essential reading and writing skills.
Students say her impact is immediate and lasting.
“She knows how to challenge the students in ways that no other teachers can,” said student, Aubrey Andrada. “It’s just really cool how she can do that.”
Lopez’s connection with her students runs deep, in part because she once walked in their shoes. A product of San Antonio’s South Side, she chose to return to Harlandale ISD to teach in the same community she calls home.
She said teaching is more than a profession, it’s a responsibility.
“Teaching is too important to not do it correctly. It is too important,” EXCEL Award winner, Cynthia Lopez said. “And they matter. Maybe you’re the one thing in their day that they value. Maybe you’re the one thing in their day that they find comfort in. So if you’re tired, you smile through it anyway. That’s love. Unconditional love for my students.”
Lopez said her path to education was inspired by her mother, who once dreamed of becoming a teacher but did not have the support to pursue it. Now, a teacher and single mother herself, Lopez continues to push forward, currently working toward her doctorate degree.
She hopes her journey will inspire her students to aim high, especially the young girls in her classroom, encouraging them to go the distance and achieve their goals.