Sun Valley Elementary School teacher, Jessica Welch, was surprised with the KENS 5 EXCEL Award and a $2,000 check from our partner, Credit Human.
SAN ANTONIO — The entire school at Sun Valley Elementary witnessed KENS 5’s Audrey Castoreno surprise Southwest ISD’s most dedicated educators with the KENS 5 EXCEL Award, along with a special gift from our partners at Credit Human.
Jessica Welch is a 1st grade teacher with 10 years of experience in the classroom.
She loves to be hands on with her students and as a Innovation Learning Teacher, she works on integrating technology in the classroom so kids can learn these important skills and take them with them into the future.
The school’s principal and superintendent also say she uses her expertise to help other teachers, not only at Sun Valley, but also across Southwest ISD.
“One of the greatest things about Miss Welch is she really brings her classroom to life. Everything from growing things, having pets in the classroom. She knows how to engage students,” Southwest ISD Superintendent, Dr. Jeanette Ball said. “The students feel how much she loves them.”
Mrs. Welch was surprised to learn that she was chosen as a standout teacher.
“I have a lot of passion for education. It’s so important,” EXCEL Award Winner, Jessica Welch said. “I want to share that with everybody, my colleagues, with my students, with the other student, the other people at other districts. I’m just hoping to be contagious.”
Welch believes elementary is the foundation of kids education and says she strives to make sure each child knows learning can be fun and worthwhile for them.
“I love this place. My heart is here. I really can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Welch said.
Besides being a dedicated teacher, Mrs. Welch is also a dedicated wife and mother.
She plans to spend her $2,000 gift from Credit Human on her family. They say they want to travel to find some snow.