Golden Apple Award: Jacquelyn Maldonado, Lasara ISD

LASARA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — CBS 4 and ValleyCentral.com are honoring teachers across the Rio Grande Valley committed to academic excellence.

For our second Golden Apple Award for December, CBS 4 visited Lasara ISD in Willacy County to surprise the district's Band Director who has dedicated many years to her students in excelling their musical talents.

Jacquelyn Maldonado has been at Lasara ISD for 26 years. Maldonado has always had a passion for teaching students music and improving their skills throughout their school careers.

Annabel Falcon is Maldonado's sister and wrote to ValleyCentral to nominate her for the Golden Apple Award. Falcon said her sister has seen opportunities to go to bigger school districts but never wanted to leave Lasara.

"She sees herself here. She loves music, she loves the teaching that she's done over the years," Falcon said. "She's just never wanted to move anywhere."

Falcon adds that Maldonado's dedication does not stop when the school day ends and makes sure her students can reach their limits.

"We tell her, you need to rest, you need to take a break. And she's like, No, I got to be at the school. I got to be with my students," Falcon said. "She's one of those that you got to excel in everything that you do. She's one of those strong motivators and the kids look up to her.”

CBS 4 surprised Maldonado right after she finished her students' Christmas concert. Maldonado said the reason why she chooses to stay at Lasara is that it's such a tight-knit community.

"I love that it's just so family-oriented, they just welcomed me," Maldonado said. "Nobody knew me when I first started here, and they just welcomed me, and they just let me do what I love to do and teach music. I'm just so grateful for my kids."

But the biggest thing Maldonado enjoys about her job is seeing her students enjoy playing music.

"I think they excel when they do a concert, and I see that smile on their face when they finish performing. That's my reward right there," Maldonado said. " All of them have done so much. They not only do UIL Academics here, but they also do music, band, and sports. So we're all fighting for their time, and I really appreciate that they come to my music class."

Maldonado's students range from middle school to high school and have had her as their music teacher their entire school careers. They say Maldonado had always been patient with them when they were first learning how to play an instrument. However, her students believe their teacher is very deserving of the Golden Apple because of her dedication to their school.

“It's a small school, because many schools in the Valley, they do marching band because they're way bigger. They have way more students in each section and just in band in general," said Sophomore Student Kathy Aguilar. " With us, this is our whole high school, and our whole middle school too. So her getting this award as being here in a small school, I think it means a lot to her.”

Maldonado says she plans on staying at Lasara ISD for many more years to come as long they'll have her. She said she will always be there to inspire her students to reach for their goals.

“Don't stop believing in yourself and dream big, because your dreams can come true," Maldonado said.

CBS 4 will honor two teachers every month until March. Visit ValleyCentral’s Golden Apple Award to nominate your favorite teacher.