Two HISD teachers are recipients of this year’s coveted Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards, which recognizes inventive and effective teaching methods in underserved communities. Alexis Gage, a science teacher at Chavez High School, and Eric Pacheco, a third grade teacher at Rodriguez Elementary, have dedicated their careers to going above and beyond for their students.

Established in 2001 by Nancy and Rich Kinder, the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards (KETA) is a grant program that aims to shine a light on outstanding educators and raise awareness of the difference that committed, enthusiastic, and innovative teachers make in the Houston community. 

Gage and Pacheco were nominated by Teach for America Houston alongside 10 other Houston-area educators. Their colleagues and students congratulated them with surprise assemblies where the honorees were announced as KETA winners and awarded $30,000 in grant funds. 

Chavez’s dance and cheerleading teams lauded Gage’s win in the high school’s commons area with all of Gage’s fellow teachers and administrators there to congratulate her.

“For me, this just confirms that everything that I’ve done in my five years [of teaching] that I felt like nobody saw, people saw,” said Gage. “For me, this is a life changing amount of money.”

Pacheco’s award ceremony included heartfelt testimonials from his students and colleagues, many of whom grew tearful explaining how much he meant to them as an educator and as a friend.

“It felt super special to hear what my students had to say about me,” said Pacheco. “Memories, the reasons why they feel special in my classroom. I’m glad that they’ll remember me.”

To learn more about the Kinder Foundation and KETA, visit the Kinder Foundation website.