TITLE: Congratulating Dr. Ramon Benavides Jr. of the Ysleta Independent School District on being honored as the 2022 State Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Dr. Ramon Benavides Jr. of the Ysleta Independent School District on being honored as the 2022 State Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Ramon Benavides Jr. of the Ysleta Independent School District has been named the 2022 State Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators; and WHEREAS, Each year, CCSSO celebrates State Teachers of the Year from U.S. states and their territories, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity by providing them with a yearlong professional learning program; the TASA Texas Teacher of the Year award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an educator in the Lone Star State, and it recognizes teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in the classroom; and WHEREAS, Dr. Ramon Benavides is the son of migrant farm workers who went on to become South Texas educators; he recently earned his Ph.D. in education leadership policy from Texas Tech University, and he has taught for more than a decade at Ysleta ISD, where he is a biology instructor at Del Valle High School in El Paso; in addition, he is a grant writer for the district, and he has contributed to the Del Valle High campus community by overseeing a Science National Honor Society chapter and sponsoring several school clubs; he is also an adjunct biology instructor at El Paso Community College, and he mentors high school, undergraduate, and graduate students; and WHEREAS, A leader in his field, Dr. Benavides is a member of the Ysleta Teachers Association and the National Education Association; moreover, he is actively involved with a number of community organizations; he holds a biology degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio, a chemistry degree from The University of Texas at Brownsville, and a master of arts in teaching science degree from The University of Texas at El Paso; in all his endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Dr. Alyssa Cervantes Benavides, and his son; and WHEREAS, A strong advocate for equity in public education, Ramon Benavides is committed to providing opportunities for Texas students, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his receipt of these prestigious accolades; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Ramon Benavides Jr. on being honored as both the 2022 State Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Benavides as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.