Region One receives 3 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

HOUSTON, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two Rio Grande Valley educators and a Donna Independent School District academy received H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

The ceremony took place on May 5 at the Marriott Marquis in Houston. Award recipients were selected by judges from a pool of 68 finalists that included former winners, school administrators, university and community leaders, according to H-E-B.

Winners of the award included two Rio Grande Valley educators and the Donna ISD M. Rivas Primary Discovery Academy.

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M. Rivas Primary Discovery Academy received the award for 2024 Early Childhood Award and $25,000.

Michelle Cavazos, a teacher for the McAllen ISD Blanca E. Sanchez Elementary, claimed the Rising Star Award, which honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience.

Michelle Cavazos received the Rising Star Award during the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. (Source: H-E-B press release)

Melba Tijerina received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. (Source: H-E-B press release)

Cavazos also earned a $5,000 check along with a $5,000 grant for the school.

Melba Tijerina, teacher for Weslaco ISD, won the Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, which salutes educators with more than 20 years of experience. She received a $25,000 check and a $25,000 grant for her campus, Weslaco High School.