SAN ANTONIO — Melinda Valdez wins KENS 5 EXCEL Award for Northside ISD
For the first time in 26 years, KENS 5 and Credit Human are doubling down on educators with the EXCEL Award.
Every week I visit a different school district and surprise some of the best educators in our area, with our kens 5 excel award.
This time, we ended up at northside ISD’s beard elementary to honor Melinda Valdez who had no idea she won. Her colleagues told her a school district crew was coming in to film her. Instead, credit human and photographer Gus and I showed up and her reaction was priceless!
For years Melinda Valdez watched us on TV surprise teachers with the Kens 5 excel award.
This time, she was the reason.
"I knew… I was like, oh my gosh. She is here for a reason,” said Valdez.
Valdez has had an exceptional 24 years at Northside ISD.
"One of the most energetic, engaging STEM teachers,” said Northside ISD Superintendent. "She's an amazing STEM teacher."
Valdez is a master at keeping her clan of 500 kids engaged at all times.
"We can think outside the box and look for things that other people might not look at," one of Valdez's students said.
Valdez is currently helping her students build their 21st century skills while also preparing them for jobs - using the latest and greatest technology like 3-D printing and coding.
"[They're] drawing it out on paper then they get on the website and build whatever it is they designed," Valdez said.
Students in Valdez's class use their imagination and creativity and have printed more than 1,000 piece so far. They have even come up with solutions to real world problems.
"When you have a 5 year old saying I'm gonna code this robot. I'm gonna create my algorithm. And they're using that vocabulary. It's amazing," Valdez said. "People try to tell me what a Kindergartner can and can't do, uhhh, they can't do it yet because I haven't taught them."
Valdez said she tries to teach her students to always be one step ahead.
"It just makes my heart so happy. You guys are the reason why I come to work every single day," Valdez said to her class.