Yurixi Rojas is an English and ESL teacher at Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center High School and is this week’s Star Educator.

In her role, Rojas has embraced the New Education System instructional model for how it supports students and aspiring educators.

A key element of NES is the integration of teacher apprentices who know the students and know the lessons. This way, instruction doesn’t stop when the teacher is absent and learning isn’t disrupted for students. Rojas talks about the benefits of working with a teacher apprentice in her classroom every day in the video below.

Rojas’ hard work and impact were recognized last year when she was named Sam Houston MSTC’s 2022-2023 ESL Teacher of the Year. Learn more about Ms. Rojas:

What did you love about school as a student: What I enjoyed most was being in a class with a teacher who taught us new things, made learning interesting, and created a space where I felt comfortable being myself.

Favorite memory of your time with HISD: The end-of-year graduations and prom.

Goal for your students this school year: My goal is for my students to grow as independent learners.

Favorite thing about the holidays: Spending quality time with my loved ones.