Washington, DC (October 10, 2023) — The NEA Foundation announced today that 43 public school educators from across the country will receive the prestigious NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. Recognized for their leadership, excellence in the classroom, family and community engagement, a commitment to equity and diversity, and advocacy for the teaching profession, these educators serve urban, rural, and suburban school communities.
Our very own, Melissa Valencia, long time Tony E. Quintana Elementary Teacher and current Student Services Assistant Director, has been selected as the New Mexico Delegate for this very prestigious award. Melissa Valencia is among 43 public school educators from across the country that will receive the prestigious NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. Recognized for their leadership, excellence in the classroom, family and community engagement, a commitment to equity and diversity, and advocacy for the teaching profession, these educators serve urban, rural, and suburban school communities.
Melissa has been a life-long educator with the Espanola Public Schools for the past 26 years. She taught at Velarde Elementary for 2 years, Tony E. Quintana for 22 years, and is currently the Student Services Assistant Director. Melissa’s passion has always been teaching. She has taught 2nd through 4th grade and has been an Instructional and Intervention Coach with the Espanola Public Schools. She has impacted more than 900 students' lives as well as countless teachers, student-teachers, and parents she has encountered throughout her years. Melissa has built lasting relationships with her students and enjoys hearing about their accomplishments long after they have left her classroom. She attributes her success as an educator to her parents, Robert and Beatrice, who have always encouraged her to accomplish her dreams, her daughter, Selena, who is her biggest cheerleader and motivator, her colleagues, and all her students who have come and gone through her classroom and have taught her more than she has taught them. Over the past two decades, The NEA Foundation has honored hundreds of exemplary educators in every state and those serving students in American public schools around the world with the Awards for Teaching Excellence. The 2024 educator awardees will be honored at the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education on May 3, 2024, at The Anthem in Washington, DC. “I am so excited and honored to have been chosen for this prestigious award and to be able to represent not only New Mexico, but the Espanola Public Schools” Melissa stated.
“These extraordinary awardees remind us that educators are the backbone of our communities and our democracy,” says Sara A. Sneed, president and CEO of The NEA Foundation. “At a time when educators and public education are under attack, these educators have been at the forefront of ensuring access to a high quality education for all students. Building a bright future for America’s children requires that we all do our part to support educators and racial justice in public education.”
Click here for the full NEA Press Release.