Tucson Values Teachers presents Teacher Excellence Award to Lucila Herrera

Tucson Values Teachers presented the April Teacher Excellence Award to Lucila Herrera, a Pre-K teacher at Prince Head Start. The school is part of Child-Parent Centers, Inc., serving children from birth through Pre-K. 

Herrera’s son, who is now a student at the University of Arizona, attended Prince Head Start as a child. After her experience with the school and her connections with the staff, Herrera decided to work as a teacher at the school. She has been teaching there for the past 18 years. 

Tamara Paganini, the Site Supervisor at Prince Head Start, nominated Herrera for the award. In her nominating statement Paganini wrote, “Lucy is an excellent teacher because she is open to understanding each family’s story and background. This understanding allows her to better individualize and support the children’s developmental and emotional needs. Lucy embraces diversity and feels that diversity enhances the classroom community.”

“Lucy believes that every parent holds the key to a child’s growth, development and overall academic success. She involves parents in setting individual and family goals. In addition to all of the above, she does all of this with laughter and joy.”

Tucson Values Teachers spotlights quality Southern Arizona teachers every month. Teachers are nominated through Tucson Values Teachers’ website by colleagues, students, friends, and other community members.

Winners of the Teacher Excellence Award receive $250 cash courtesy of Helios Education Foundation, a $100 gift card to Jonathan’s Educational Resources, and flowers.  

More information about the Teacher Excellence Award, including the nomination form, can be found at www.tucsonvaluesteachers.org. 

Tucson Values Teachers is a business and education partnership focused on helping schools and districts attract, retain and support the very best teachers for every PreK-12 classroom in Southern Arizona. The organization recognizes the critical role teachers play in student achievement and the vital influence they have on Tucson’s future. It does this work by raising public awareness of the value of the teaching profession while providing programs that benefit teachers economically and professionally. For more information and to support TVT, visit tucsonvaluesteachers.org or call (520) 327-7619.