Jamie Hernandez wins KENS 5 EXCEL Award for Somerset ISD

For the first time in 26 years, KENS 5 and Credit Human are doubling down on educators with the EXCEL Award. The winner now receives a $2,000 check.

SAN ANTONIO — Local teacher Jamie Hernandez was brought to tears as her name was called out during a large school celebration, to accept the KENS 5 EXCEL Award with a $2,000 check from KENS 5 partner Credit Human.

As an EMT instructor, Hernandez oversees 140 students, freshmen to seniors in her program. Many of her students are ready to work in the medical field by the time they’re done with high school.  

The kids call her mama because that’s the vibe she gives in class. 

“I can be myself around her,” one student said. “I don’t have to portray myself as somebody that I’m not.”

Hernandez watched them grow over the last four years into “mature young women.”

They became very close especially because Hernandez herself was growing alongside them as a brand  new teacher at Somerset High School.

Coming straight off of an ambulance and into a classroom setting after a 20-plus-year career in EMS, Hernandez says it was quite a change. 

“I was terrified,” said Hernandez belting out a big laugh,.”I was working 48 hour shifts.”

But all those sleepless nights would make her the perfect fit to kick off an EMT program at the high school.

 “Yeah,  this was my baby,” Hernandez recalled.

The program has produced more than 20 EMTS and is forecasted to have another 50 in a few years. Students who’ve been dreaming of attending medical school, becoming nurses or following in Hernandez’s footsteps.

“I hope to be a paramedic or maybe somewhere with the new babies,” A Senior student said. 

Hernandez says they have a partnership with Christus Santa Rosa where their labor and delivery nurses come out every year and do a training for them on what it’s like to deliver a baby. 

And that’s just one of the many skills they pick up during their time in the high school program. 

“They learn patient assessment skills. They learn how to manage an airway in somebody who is not breathing,” Hernandez said. “CPR, first aid skills, bleeding control, how to manage a patient that is in a traumatic situation or in a medical situation.”

It’s all crucial hands-on experience that lets them get a glimpse of their future-selves.

By the time they graduate, Hernandez says they can work in an ambulance or a hospital or even get their 9-1-1 dispatcher certification.

“I always tell my students, I’m not preparing you to graduate high school. I’m preparing you for after high school. You know, I’m preparing you to be successful beyond here,” Hernandez said as she tried to hold back tears. 

Hernandez said she was completely surprised by the EXCEL Award but grateful to KENS 5 and Credit Human for recognizing local teachers.

 “I put a lot of hard work and so just the fact that it’s noticed, it’s a big deal.”

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