Mary Rose Trinidad of Southside ISD was surprised with the KENS 5 EXCEL Award and a $2,000 check from Credit Human.
SAN ANTONIO — SAN ANTONIO- A longtime educator at Menchaca Early Childhood Center is being recognized for her dedication to students and fellow teachers.
KENS 5 traveled to Southside ISD to surprise Mary Rose Trinidad, a bilingual Pre-K 4 teacher, as this week’s EXCEL Award winner. She also received a $2,000 check from program partner, Credit Human.
Trinidad has spent more than 30 years in the classroom, building strong relationships not only with her students but also their families. While she describes herself as naturally quiet, she says teaching brings out her true self.
“The goal is the same for me: to educate them, to love them, to teach them that they can do anything,” EXCEL Award winner, Mary Rose Trinidad said. “I am a very quiet person, but when I get in front of the kids, I become somebody else.”
Trinidad says one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching her students grow in confidence over the course of the school year.
“I want them to know that they can do anything and be anything,” Trinidad said. “Even the quietest child can become a star.”
Trinidad’s impact extends beyond her classroom. Menchaca Early Childhood Center Principal, Tanya Mares, says she also serves as a mentor to other teachers on campus.
“She is one of those extraordinary educators that loves what she does every day, and so we’re extremely proud of her,” Menchaca Early Childhood Center, Principal, Tanya Mares said.
As for the $2,000 award, Trinidad says she plans to reinvest most of it back into her classroom, with the possibility of treating herself to a nice dinner.