November 29, 2010
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to take this time to nominate Ms. Ford, Criminal Justice teacher from Sidney Lanier High School for the 2010-2011 Recognition for Outstanding San Antonio School Teachers. She was one of 25 teachers to receive an award for 2009 Metlife Ambassadors in Education Award.
It really doesn’t surprise me, how Ms. Ford, is so dedicated to these kids. I am going on 2 years of knowing her and I see how these kids have grown to be respected by their own student body. She is like a mom that is why these kids obey and listen to her. That’s why she has a nick name as Mama Ford. This is with all love and kindness that her students have given her this name (with all respect!). She is their Mom away from home. As parent’s we can always say I’m going to tell Mama Ford and boy do they listen. She is a retired SAPD and is training these students on Criminal Justice with an emphasis on the law enforcement studies.
I remember when I first met Ms. Ford, it was at an Open House for Freshmen at Lanier. My son and I were very impressed by her and her students, there was something about her that made my son decided to join the program. It may have been her enthusiasm or her popularity among the students, but it all shows she is a caring person with a big heart. Her record of how the program has grown each year is beyond limits with about 85-95 students (could be more). Ms. Ford has organized the Lanier Police Explorers, a service organization in which students developed skills for conflict resolution in order to promote safety in the school and community. She is involved with Skills USA and directs several competitions for the students.
She gives so much of her personal time that the kids are her second family. She is always thinking about these kids because she wants them to succeed. If the students need anything and I mean anything, they know they can call her and count on her to be there. She goes the extra mile to serve with them on all of their activities.
She teaches them how to set goals from the simple things like picking their next class, to assisting them for their college education. She is no softie just because they call her Mama Ford, she gives them words of wisdom and encouragement to succeed in life. She sets the bar high and makes sure her students met her expectations. Her criteria are good grades and attendance.
She and her students have partner up with community organizations, so they can give back to the community. She expects them to show and give respect to the community from where there roots are from. The west side of San Antonio does have a positive role model Ms. Ford! Like we say ‘The Pride of the West Side”- Ms. Ford. These students do volunteer work for their community under her supervision, like Graffiti wipeout, Click or Ticket, school events and Blue Santa, just to name a few. Many of these kids here at Lanier leave high school with no sense of who they are and what they will become, but with Ms. Ford they will not loose that, because she works hard with them and expects them to do their best in and out of school. She yearns for them excel in life.
‘ The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you enter the house of his/her wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind” Khalil Gibran
Ms. Ford really makes a difference! Thank you for your time.
F -Fabulous Teacher
O -Outstanding Person
R -Respect toward her students
D -Devoted to students
Respectfully,
Pauline Barrera,
Parent volunteer Program at Lanier High School & Mother to Rudy Martinez, Jr student to Ms. Ford