Alma Salazar, an English teacher at Faulk Middle School in Brownsville, is one of 15 recipients of a 2022 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award.
Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. and former Humanities Texas board member Manuel Medrano presented Salazar with her award during the Brownsville ISD board meeting at on Dec. 13. Salazar also received a $5,000 cash award with an additional $1,000 for Faulk Middle School to purchase instructional materials.
Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching. Awards also recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming.
More than 600 teachers from across the state were nominated for this year’s awards. The Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award recognizes exemplary K–12 humanities teachers.
A Commitment to Education
Salazar has taught English at Faulk Middle School for the past five years but her classroom career spans 26 years.
“My students are aware that mastering language arts and reading is necessary in order to become successful in all subject areas and that obtaining a quality education provides multiple opportunities for a better quality of life,” said Salazar. “My greatest accomplishment has been successfully educating my students and seeing them flourish.”
“Mrs. Salazar brings the humanities to life for her students and her peers,” said Benita Villarreal, principal of Faulk Middle School. “Her passion and commitment to education allow her to create a positive learning environment for all on our campus. Being a teacher of students and teacher of teachers, she inspires others to have the fervor and urgency to grow and evolve.”
Salazar is also an active member of the Brownsville ISD community. Since 1997, she has served as a district coordinator and organizer for the statewide University Interscholastic League, planning, implementing and monitoring the UIL program at the campus and district levels. In 2017, she implemented an early childhood literacy peer-tutoring program.