2009-2010 Recognized Staff: Looking sharp another year
By Debbie Winslow
September 11, 2009
“You all look beautiful,” said the little kindergartener. “I love
your shirts.”
She was referring to the new “uniforms” worn by all Muñoz
Elementary faculty and staff. But the colorful red polo shirts show
only the exterior. When we look beneath the surface, we get
glimpses of why this campus received a Recognized rating from the
Texas Education Agency.
It all begins with the ladies up front. Minnie Contreras and
Carol Tamez welcome parents and other visitors with big smiles and
friendly “hellos.”
“I love dealing with people…parents, in a nutshell, everyone,”
Contreras said, “especially working with my principal.” Contreras
is looking forward to another “fruitful year,” though this time an
Exemplary one.
The foundation of the success at J. B. Muñoz is the strength of
its faculty. For example, Pre-K 4 teacher Berta Reyes, has been at
La Villa for decades.
“I love kids. I love when I see the little glow in their faces,”
Reyes said. “I try to motivate my students. Like when we have a
program, I tell them, ‘You’d better sing pretty so your mother and
father will be proud and not embarrassed.’”
Another veteran faculty member is writing teacher Belia Solís,
who teaches fourth and fifth graders.
“You shouldn’t ask me,” she said, “because I love everybody. Our
staff is always ready to help when we need them.”
Even those who have not been teachers at La Villa for very long
appreciate what they have at Muñoz. Rosie Garza, for instance,
worked as a teacher’s aide for many years before becoming
certified.
“My students are so loveable,” she said. “You can redirect them
or discipline them, and they still love you.”
But perhaps the greatest testimony about the culture at Muñoz
Elementary came from first year teacher Katrina Figoroa.
“I love it here,” she said. “I can hardly wait to come to work
every day.”
Solís echoes Figoroa’s feelings: “I love what I do. My day flies
by.”
