Harlingen CISD

 Interested in learning more about this partnership and celebrating the impact? Join us as HCISD is recognized as an Institutional Catalyst Award honoree at the Teach for America Rio Grande Valley Honor Roll Gala.

Educational systems are strongest when they come together with partners who believe in the potential of all students. That belief has guided Harlingen CISD’s long-standing partnership with Teach For America. This year, HCISD was named an Institutional Catalyst Award honoree and will be recognized at the Teach For America Rio Grande Valley Honor Roll Gala.

“We are deeply honored in our district to have had that recognition,” said Superintendent Dr. Veronica Kortan

Dr. Kortan emphasized that the award reflects years of shared work.

“It’s not about the recognition,” she said. “It’s actually about how we got here. It’s been a long and steadfast partnership, changing lives of kids, one classroom, one leader, and one opportunity at a time.”

For more than a decade, HCISD and Teach For America have worked together through some of the district’s most transformative years, guided by a shared belief.

“At the heart of our work is a deep belief that talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” said Board President Dr. Nolan Perez. “That belief fuels everything we do, from how we serve students, to how we empower teachers, to how we form partnerships.”

That belief is reflected in educators across the district.

Erik Longoria, a teacher at Cano Freshman Academy, shared that teaching became his way to serve. “I still wanted to serve my community, and I felt like teaching was one of those high-impact roles where I could plant seeds and have a large impact,” he said.

Anabel Saenz, a teacher at Coakley Middle School, said she found alignment through Teach For America. “After having a long conversation with the directors, I decided this was the place I needed to be because they had the same vision and goals I did in helping not just students, but the overall community,” she said.

Sadorah Gregory from Memorial Middle School shared her focus on opportunity. “I want to give all of my students the opportunity to excel and to know they can do it, no matter where they’re from or what their background is,” she said.

District leaders say culture and people remain the foundation of the partnership’s success.

“What makes this district different is our focus on getting the culture right and getting the people right,” Dr. Perez said. “That’s how we create the best environment for our people to develop and flourish.”

As HCISD reflects on the recognition, leaders say the work continues.

“We want to extend our gratitude to Teach For America for a wonderful partnership,” Dr. Kortan said. “Thank you to every student, every teacher, and every leader who has been part of this journey. The beauty of this partnership is that we’re just getting started.”