Two Phoenix Union Teachers Win Esperanza Latino Teacher Award

Maryvale’s Selina Alonzo and South Mountain’s Guadalupe Meza were selected as 2010 Chicanos Por La Causa and SRP Esperanza Award winners, honoring Latino teachers who inspire students of all backgrounds, play an active role in the school, and demonstrate a true commitment to the community.

The two received the news during surprise visits to their classrooms last week. They will be recognized at a dinner ceremony, October 21, at the Wyndham Hotel Downtown Phoenix. The teachers and their schools will receive a cash stipend, and for the first time, each winner will receive a 50 percent scholarship towards a masters or doctoral program at the Argosy University.

Alonzo has been teaching English for six years. She was named the 2009 Phoenix Union High School District Classroom Teacher of the Year. A graduate of Carl Hayden High School who benefitted from the Hispanic Mother-Daughter program, Alonzo earned her teaching degree and returned to the community where she grew up. Her background has proved invaluable in motivating and inspiring Phoenix Union students and parents. Alonzo has also served as Maryvale’s English Department chair, and volunteered on the Maryvale YMCA Board representing her students. She mentors students and is active with many student groups and clubs, including Panthertown, a program to help students positively impact change on their campus and their community.

“I am extremely proud to represent our district in this honor. I count it a blessing to do what I love in the community that raised me,” Alonzo said.

Meza is a Spanish teacher who also teaches Spanish for native speakers. She is in her fifth year at South. Born in Arizona, she attended grade school in Nogales, Sonora, and graduated from Central High School in the Phoenix Union District. She earned her B.S. in Education from ASU, and is currently taking graduate courses through a dual studies program with the Universities of Oregon and Guanajuato. Meza co-sponsors South Mountain’s MEChA and LULAC clubs. She collaborates with an Hermosillo high school to bring La Rondalla and Folklorico performances to Central High’s International Studies program each year. A few years ago, Meza was instrumental in elevating handball from a campus passion to an organized, sponsored team that competes against other schools, giving some students another reason to stay engaged in school.

Said one colleague: “She empowers her students and inspires her colleagues. She has a strong bond with the young people she works with. They respect her, value her and love her. Ms. Meza is a successful role model.”

Other 2010 Esperanza winners are elementary teachers Jose Fernandez and Josephine Salazar of Chandler and Oscar Olivas of Peoria High School. Vanessa Valenzuela of Carl Hayden was an Esperanza winner last year.

Source: Phoenix Union High School District