2018-2019 Teacher of the Year

anabel portrait

Anabel Alcala

Meet Anabel the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for Alonso S. Perales Elementary School.

Anabel is from Crystal City, Texas and grew up in a Spanish-speaking migrant family who traveled throughout the country in search of field work. After graduating from high school, Anabel went on to receive her bachelor's degree from Sul Ross University and a master's degree from Concordia University. She is the youngest of 12 children and the first in her family to pursue higher education. Anabel says she's always dreamed of becoming a teacher. Now, she is in her 11th year as an Early Childhood educator with three of those years spent at Perales Elementary as a Pre-Kinder teacher. " Since I was young, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher like those I had growing up. The educators I had inspired and motivated me. Every day with my students is an adventure. They're always so kind and loving." To Anabel, the Edgewood ISD family is close and tight-knit, always providing each other support when needed. It reminds her a lot of the small, south Texas town called home. " I love the community we have here. It has this small town feeling even though we're in a big city. As an outsider coming in, you see that and it's refreshing. Especially coming from Crystal City." Once hearing the news of her nomination, Anabel felt a mix of emotions. " I was so excited and nervous; I didn't think that I would be nominated because I'm fairly new to the district. When I saw the email that said I was selected - I was so happy!"

Join us in congratulating Anabel on her nomination as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year!