KENS 5 and SACU surprised Jisela Ferdin Moreno with the ExCEL Golden Apple Award at Gus Garcia Middle School in front of a gymnasium filled with students.
Mrs. Moreno's goal is to teach a new language to her students and open up the world.
Students start each day with a warm greeting when they enter Jisela Moreno's classroom.
"It's important to have a very genuine relationship with each one of them," Moreno explained.
"She helps us out with the problems that we have and provides us with what we need to succeed," said Eighth grader Caleb Soto.
What they need often goes beyond the classroom.
"For many of our students their experiences are very limited. I take them on field trips to around the city. It is amazing to see their reaction when
when we go to the Hemsifair area. Some of them haven't had that exposure beyond General McMullen and Cuelbra," Moreno said.
Her goal is to instill confidence along with a second language.
"I want them to be able to go out into the world, not just beyond their community and know they can be President of the United States," said Moreno.
"She likes to help a lot of people. She's the best!" said Eighth grader Maribel Pedroza.
"I just try to make that connection with them to show them the importance they have to make their own choice and they have their future
and it's up to them to make the best out of their life. When I see my students struggling I try to connect with them to reach them at their level so they won't give up and hopefully they'll have the self initiative," Moreno said.
She gets emotional when she talks about how much her students mean to her.
"I know the teaching profession does not pay as much as other jobs. But nothing can compare to the life long relationship I have with my students," said Moreno.
