Lucia Arellano is T. H. Johnson Elementary’s Teacher of the Year. She has served as a bilingual kindergarten teacher in Taylor ISD for her entire career, seventeen years.
“I have always said I will never graduate from kindergarten,” said Arellano. “A child’s kindergarten year is the foundation of a student’s entire academic career and I’m honored to play this critical role. My greatest reward comes when I see students who entered my classroom with no academic knowledge leave knowing how to read and write. The sparkle in their eyes when that little light turns on is truly amazing.”
Arellano’s sister, retired Taylor teacher Adela Arellano Cortinas, has been her inspiration and mentor.
“She was also a bilingual teacher and her dedication to instilling pride in her students due to their ability to speak, read and write in two languages was inspiring,” said Arellano. “I try to inspire that same confidence in my students.”
