February Golden Apple Award: Adriana Garza

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Golden Apple Award for February takes us to James Pace High School in Brownsville. ValleyCentral features a U.S. History teacher who treats her students as if they were her own.

Adriana Garza has been teaching at Pace High School for the last 17 years and has become a beloved figure among the Pace community. Most notably Garza is known for having a unique relationship with her students.

"She has high accountability in that classroom, every student must speak in that classroom," said Lisa Howell, Dean of Pace High School. "She manages the lower tier student and what that means is that she's at the student's level, and she manages to get them to perform at optimal level. Every single time you walk into her classroom, there's a hands-on activity. There's a way that she holds those students accountable."

Many students look forward to attending Garza's class every day and do not want to be late. However, Garza's role at Pace does not just involve being in the classroom.

"Mrs. Garza has served as department head for 13 years, she has been a class sponsor. She has mentored young teachers to become history teachers. So, she was a model not just to the students, but also to the community as well," said Howell.

Garza said she has always had a passion for setting up her students for success and considers all of her students as if they were her own children.

"This is what I love. My kids, my students, they are my motivation," Garza said. "I always tell them I'm going to go mom mode on you. My husband and my kids know I have 120 kids every year and they become my children. At the end of the day, I'm here to teach them but I got their back and we're going to do this together every year.”

Students have honored Mrs. Garza in past years to show their gratitude for her constant dedication to their success. They were not surprised at all when she was recognized for her efforts.

"She gives me this drive to do my best grade-wise, behavior-wise, just to come into school, learn, do my best, and just be the best I can be," said student Sean Cantu.

Garza's son Gabriel is an 11th grader at Pace High School but does not take his mother's class. While Gabriel has other friends who are in his mom's class, he wishes he had the opportunity for his mom to also be his history teacher.

"I hear from all the students that she's the best teacher, she brings them waffles in the morning," Gabriel said. "I didn't realize that, I’m jealous of not being in her classroom. I'm sure she knows. But she makes a great impact on everyone around her."

While Garza is humbled to see her work making a difference in so many students throughout the years, she said it could not be done alone.

“Everybody, they motivate me every day to come and Elevate the Pace," Garza said. "We make sure at the end of the day. If we're serving our kids, we're all going to shine."

ValleyCentral is honoring teachers across the Rio Grande Valley who are dedicated to educational excellence. Until March we are picking one teacher from our viewer submissions and all six teachers will have the chance to be named teacher of the year in April.