Isidro Lerma, a theatre arts teacher from McAllen ISD’s James “Nikki” Rowe High School, has earned Regional Secondary Teacher of the Year honors by the Region One Education Service Center.
In the past 35 years, McAllen ISD teachers have earned 23 Regional or State Teacher of the Year titles – the most in the South Texas Region. This year, the Region One Education Service Center celebrated 51 district teachers of the year from Brownsville to Laredo. The regional elementary and secondary honorees were announced during the annual Teacher of the Year ceremony on July 31 in Edinburg.
Lerma has taught theatre since 2010. His experience has taken him through De Leon Middle School, McAllen High School and even Community Theatre.
“As an educator, I have always believed that healthy competition drives success,” Lerma wrote in an essay for the Regional Teacher of the Year submission. “Theatre has always been regarded as a subject that requires motivation and a full company of individuals working toward the same goal in order to be successful. Many times, I find that other theatre programs lack competition. After my first few years of teaching, I told myself, ‘These kids need something to fight for.’ This is how our International Thespian Society Chapter came to be.”
Each year, students in the chapter take a trip to watch performances, participate in theatre workshops and even take part in college auditions, according to a Region One ESC press release. To be accepted, students must earn points by participating in productions, maintaining good grades in all classes and demonstrating a positive attitude.
Lerma’s students have earned many nominations through the Valley’s Palm Awards. He strives to convey to his students why theatre should be respected and what it can do for them. He views theatre as an art form that explores humanity and demonstrates how people from differing backgrounds can come together to achieve something that impacts the community.
“One of my proudest moments as an educator is the community outreach we encourage our students to join,” he wrote. “Every year, we ask them to find a non-profit organization they are passionate about and that needs assistance. We are always looking for ways to teach our students how theatre can give back to the community.”
In recent years, his students have performed at McAllen ISD elementary schools and the Edinburg Children’s Hospital.
Lerma was named the McAllen ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year at a luncheon on May 6. The district also named its Elementary Teacher of the Year, Lucas Serna from Perez Elementary.