Tech Prep Teacher of the Year 2006, Gene Hernandez PSJA High School

November, 2009
Mr. Hernandez brought a wealth of work experience in the field to his district. He took over a program that had suffered in enrollment after the campus lost of veteran instructor due to illness. His goals were to communicate to the student body that metal trades is a worthwhile elective because of the skills learned that will last a lifetime, and also to attract students from all academic achievement levels since his course covers basic math to engineering principles.

Mr. Hernandez greets his students with a smile and treats his students with courtesy and respect. Discipline problems are never to be seen in his classroom. He has motivated his students to join their student organization and participate in Skills USA, and after only two years of competing, his students earned several awards at the district level and earned “Best of Show” for a group project at the state level. His students also engage in a service projects. One of those projects is a Thanksgiving luncheon for the campus custodial staff for which the students raise funds and assist in serving. Another project is a Christmas party for students in the Self-Contained Unit. Mr. Hernandez has demonstrated his devotion and loyalty to his students by getting them involved in the classroom and in their community.

Mr. Hernandez became a mentor for a first-year teacher, who is very complimentary of his work as a mentor. He also encourages and motivates other teachers, and he teaches metal trades to parents as part of his school’s parental involvement program. Although he has been teaching for only three years, he has been selected to serve on his campus team for planning a High School Redesign Project. Mr. Hernandez’s commitment to education and his students has earned him the respect of his peers and administrators. Gene Hernandez was nominated by Ed Garcia, CTE Coordinator, PSJA ISD.