Aldine ISD, Hambrick Middle School Teacher Emiliano Flores Jr. Honored as LULAC Educator of the Year

Emiliano Flores Jr. (center) poses with Chief of Academics Dr. Faviola Cantú, Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Executive Director of Multilingual Services Altagracia ‘Grace’ Delgado, and Hambrick Middle School Principal José Almendarez (l-r, left picture).

Emiliano Flores Jr., a sixth-grade math teacher at Hambrick Middle School in Aldine ISD, has been named the 2024 Educator of the Year at the middle school level by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Flores was recognized at LULAC’s 60th Anniversary Scholarship and Awards Gala, held on Dec. 14, 2024, at the NRG Center. The gala was themed “Empowering the Next Generation.”

“Mr. Flores embodies the spirit of excellence and service,” said Altagracia Delgado, executive director of the AISD Multilingual Services Department, who nominated him for the award. “His passion for education and ability to inspire others make him a transformative force in our district.”

Flores’s 26-year career with Aldine ISD exemplifies his unwavering commitment to education and student success. Beginning as a paraprofessional in 1998, he transitioned to teaching after completing the district’s Homegrown Program in 2002, becoming a bilingual educator. His journey underscores his belief in the transformative power of education, a principle he shares with his students daily.

As a sixth-grade math teacher, Flores creates a dynamic and engaging classroom environment where students consistently achieve top scores districtwide — with many of them regularly achieving in the district’s top 10% of secondary math scores. His innovative teaching methods and student-centered approach inspire a love for learning, empowering students to reach their full potential. Beyond academics, Flores is a champion for student development, leading Hambrick’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams to three consecutive championships and volunteering for various school events, from DJing dances to creating memorable experiences during campus “lock-ins” for students.

Flores also serves on multiple campus and district committees, contributing to initiatives that enhance educational experiences for all Aldine ISD students. His dedication to teaching, leadership, and community engagement exemplifies the values LULAC and Aldine ISD seek to celebrate.

The educator veteran is grateful for the recognition.

“I want to share my utmost gratitude to LULAC for this incredible honor,” said Flores. “It is not lost on me how tall and how strong the shoulders on which I have the privilege to stand are. It is not only through my efforts and joy of hard work that this is possible, but the work of those who came before me, who fought to give me a voice when someone like me may not have had one.

“This award also culminates my parents’ years of hard work and effort. Their unwavering commitment to perseverance and love in our home has been a guiding light in my life. My hope today is to give my father, who almost lived long enough to see this, the reassurance that his life was more meaningful than he could ever imagine.

“My daily prayer is to be kind and respectful and to be what my kids need today. That has helped me hone my craft, although there is still much more to learn. As I look to the future, I am filled with hope and optimism for the impact I will continue to make. My career has been one of service to this community. Seeing my little first- and second-graders grow up and see them as I moved to teach math in middle school has been an immense joy. Seeing them graduate high school and witness their journey into the workforce is more rewarding than I imagined.

“Teaching emergent bilingual students has, I hope, repaid a small amount of my debt to this great nation for welcoming me and allowing my family to thrive.”

Aldine ISD congratulates Mr. Flores on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his enduring impact on students, colleagues, and the community.