Texas Border Business
Rio Grande Valley, TX — IDEA Public Schools is proud to announce that Cristina Correa, art teacher at IDEA College Preparatory in San Juan, has been named as the Texas Public Charter Schools Association’s 2020 Teacher of the Year!
The Texas Public Charter Schools Association (TPCSA), which represents 180 charter districts and more than 700 campuses, announced the organization’s annual Teacher of the Year award winner at its annual statewide conference this week.
In 2020, this award recognizes an innovative educator who overcame the pandemic’s many obstacles and delivered for children — both inside and outside the classroom.
Ms. Correa, a veteran art teacher of 12 years at her Rio Grande Valley charter campus, does whatever it takes to ensure her students are exercising their imaginations. Earlier this year, Correa made news after she designed a series of prompts that encouraged students to improvise art supplies from common materials and objects they could find at home—anything from Kool Aid to makeup to Hot Cheetos Dust. She has also authored and collaborated on articles and presentations about effective remote learning.
Her colleagues recognize Ms. Correa as a fierce advocate for parents, students, and the charter community. She has hosted state elected officials on her campus and led voter registration efforts. Ms. Correa was also a founding fellow of the TPCSA Teacher Advocacy Leadership Institute (TALI) program and currently coaches other teachers on how to take action that protects and defends their schools.
“Especially during a school year that has presented so many challenges, Cristina Correa has exemplified the best that teachers have to offer, minimizing stress for students and parents and maximizing quality of learning,” said TPCSA CEO Starlee Coleman. “She is also a fearless advocate for her families and for students statewide who need and deserve great educational opportunities.”
For more information on IDEA Public Schools, please visit www.ideapublicschools.org.
