SFPS Excellence in Student Achievement Awardees Announced by New Mexico School Boards Association

By SFPS

Santa Fe Board of Education Vice President Lorraine Price and three Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) staff members–Hilario Chavez, Director of Athletics and Activities, Theresa Hamilton, former SFPS swim coach, and Kelly McCabe, certified teacher-librarian at Gonzales Community School–are recipients of the New Mexico School Boards Association’s (NMSBA) 2019 Excellence in Student Achievement Awards, according to an NMSBA announcement on April 29th.

 

Superintendent Dr. Garcia said, “Each of the Excellence in Student Achievement Awards recipients is a shining light and role model for us all.”

 

“Vice President Price says that she has been on one side or the other of education desk since she was four years old!  She came to Santa Fe in 1985 and has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal and School Board Vice President and President, leading the Board as our District, like others across the country, increased campus safety and grappled with state funding decreases.  We are greatly indebted to Vice President Price for her stalwart leadership and service to the District.

 

“Larry Chavez was inspired as an athlete by his father.  His love of athletics is on full view at every SFPS athletic event, where he can be seen welcoming visitors, walking the aisles and rooting on teams and athletes.  This year was indeed special with Santa Fe High School playing for the state championship. Under his leadership, athletics and activities across the District are exciting for all and an essential part of learning.

 

”Theresa Hamilton was a longtime swimming coach in Santa Fe and at Santa Fe High School.  She joked in a news report that she likely taught half of Santa Fe to swim! Ms. Hamilton left the District in August to focus on matters both personal and close to her heart.  We greatly miss her and thank her for making a difference in so many lives.

 

“Kelly McCabe, who has been at Gonzales Community School for six years, recently told the Board of Education that libraries touch every student in a school.  To her, a library is about social justice and ensuring equity of access to information and the skills needed to use that information. Under Ms. McCabe’s leadership, the Gonzales library is the heart of the school, making learning relevant for students each day,” said Superintendent Dr. Garcia.

 

The Board of Education recommended all four for the NMSBA’s Excellence in Student Achievement Awards on February 19, 2019 for playing an important role in improving student achievement.