Aldine ISD Finalists Announced for 2025 Teacher of the Year

Disponible en:

Aldine Independent School District has announced its six finalists for the 2025 Teacher of the Year award, recognizing outstanding educators’ dedication and classroom impact. Three finalists were selected in the elementary category and three in the secondary category. These exceptional educators will be honored at the AISD Educators of the Year Breakfast on March 28, 2025.

The finalists for Elementary Teachers of the Year are:

• Lara Andree, Carmichael Elementary School
• Julian Quiero Serrano, Oleson Elementary School
• Adriana Patino, Spence Elementary School

The finalists for Secondary Teacher of the Year are:

• Candace Langenbuch, Avalos P-TECH School
• Dr. Janice Blades Miller, Blanson CTE High School
• Marcus Muñoz, MacArthur High School

Spotlight on Lara Andree

Lara Andree, a third-grade math teacher at Carmichael Elementary School, attributes her decision to become an educator to the compassionate and dedicated teachers who supported her during a difficult childhood. Growing up facing homelessness and family challenges, she found stability and encouragement in the classroom. Her teachers’ unwavering belief in her potential inspired her to pursue a career in education, and she was determined to provide the same safe and empowering learning environment for her students.

Andree’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering resilience and confidence in her students, particularly in math, a subject she once struggled with due to dyslexia. She creates an inclusive and encouraging classroom where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. Her motto, “Mistakes help my brain grow,” resonates with her students and fosters a growth mindset. Through engaging and differentiated instruction, she ensures that all students feel supported and challenged regardless of academic level.

Her impact extends beyond academic achievement. In the 2023-2024 school year, Andree’s students demonstrated remarkable growth, improving by 88% on end-of-year benchmark assessments and being part of the 3-person math team that surpassed all other third-grade math classrooms in the district on the STAAR test. Additionally, she plays a vital role in enhancing school culture as a leader of the Carmichael Student Council, organizing initiatives that promote leadership, character development, and schoolwide engagement.

Spotlight on Julian Quiero Serrano

Growing up in Chile, Julian Quiero Serrano was inspired to become a teacher by the values of charity, service, and community instilled in him at his Catholic high school. Despite initial resistance from his father, he pursued his passion for education, earning the highest distinction in his program and writing a thesis on the diverse learning styles of English learners.

Since joining Oleson Elementary, Quiero Serrano has made a significant impact. He has taught multiple grade levels and helped bilingual students achieve record-breaking STAAR scores. His teaching philosophy centers on differentiation and adapting lessons to fit students’ needs, often modifying curriculum methods to improve understanding. Beyond the classroom, he has played a key role in improving school culture through his work on the MTSS committee. He helped implement the PRIDE behavior initiative, which has led to a decline in student infractions.

Quiero Serrano has been recognized for his dedication, earning Rookie Teacher of the Year in his first year of teaching and Teacher of the Year in his third. He remains committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment and advocating for instructional flexibility to serve all students better.

Spotlight on Adriana Patino

Adriana Patino, a bilingual educator at Spence Elementary School, is known for her unwavering commitment to student success. She believes every child, regardless of background, deserves access to a high-quality education that nurtures academic growth and personal development.

Patino emphasizes a student-centered approach, incorporating culturally responsive teaching practices and innovative strategies to engage her students. She has played a crucial role in mentoring new teachers and supporting dual-language instruction across the campus. Under her guidance, her students have consistently excelled in literacy and language acquisition, making significant gains on district and state assessments.

Patino’s educational achievements as a bilingual teacher include teaching reading and writing strategies to students with limited English proficiency, leading to high reading STAAR scores. They also served on Aldine ISD’s Amplify Task Force and contributed to the district’s Curriculum Project Elevate.

Beyond the classroom, Patino advocates for family engagement, organizing workshops to empower parents to support their children’s education. Her dedication to student achievement and community involvement has earned her recognition as a leader among her peers.

Spotlight on Candace Langenbuch

Candace Langenbuch, a ninth-grade biology teacher at Avalos P-TECH School, is passionate about making science accessible and engaging for all students. With a background in STEM education, she strives to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, fostering a love for inquiry-based learning in her students.

Langenbuch enhances student engagement through hands-on experiments, project-based learning, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. She believes that by creating meaningful, real-world connections, students become more invested in their education and develop critical thinking skills beyond the classroom.

In addition to her work in the classroom, she mentors new educators, guiding curriculum development and student engagement strategies. Her leadership extends to coordinating science fairs and student participation in STEM-related competitions. Her students have consistently excelled in district — and state-level science fairs, showcasing innovative research projects that reflect her emphasis on inquiry-driven learning.

Her dedication to student success and her ability to create a dynamic, hands-on learning environment make her a valued educator within the Avalos P-TECH community.

Spotlight on Dr. Janice Blades Miller

Janice Blades Miller, a dedicated career and technical education (CTE) instructor at Blanson CTE High School, aims to equip students with the skills needed for success in the workforce. Specializing in health science, she prepares students for industry certifications and real-world applications in medical careers.

Blades Miller is renowned for her immersive and dynamic teaching approach, blending state-of-the-art simulation labs with invaluable real-world clinical experiences. She actively forges partnerships with leading healthcare institutions, ensuring her students gain first-hand exposure to the demands of the medical field through mentorships and structured clinical rotations.

Blades Miller is the lead advisor for the school’s HOSA-Future Health Professionals chapter, fostering a culture of excellence. Students gain leadership experience, serve their community, and compete at state and international levels. She also supports teachers and advisors both locally and statewide.

Dedicated to professional growth, Blades Miller actively seeks opportunities highlighting the challenges and contributions of medical professionals who reflect her students’ backgrounds to impart a broader understanding of healthcare equity and representation. Her impact extends beyond her classroom, shaping the future of aspiring healthcare professionals.

Spotlight on Marcus Muñoz

Marcus Muñoz is a government and economics teacher at MacArthur High School. His education journey is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in a small town in Iowa, he once vowed never to return to school after graduation. However, his experiences in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Iraq, profoundly changed his perspective. During his second tour, he helped rebuild struggling neighborhoods, starting with an all-grade school open to all genders. A young girl’s gratitude for the chance to attend school ignited his passion for education.

Since 2006, Muñoz has provided students with the highest quality education. He has guided countless students toward prestigious institutions like NYU, Columbia, Harvard, and Texas A&M. Beyond academics, over 100 of his students have enlisted in the military, while many others have launched businesses and promising careers. His unwavering support has empowered students to break barriers and set new expectations for their families.

Muñoz’s teaching philosophy is rooted in engagement and critical thinking. His government and constitutional amendments lessons encourage students to analyze and debate key issues from multiple perspectives. By fostering open discussions, he equips students with the skills to articulate their opinions with confidence and factual support.

Beyond the classroom, Muñoz played a key role in developing MacArthur High School’s 5-Star Program, which prepares students for life beyond high school. The initiative has significantly increased college applications, financial aid awards, and military enlistments. He also helps enroll students in advanced placement courses through the EOS system, strengthening academic rigor.

Muñoz is committed to combating apathy in education, reinforcing the importance of learning, and rebuilding strong connections between teachers, students, and families. His leadership and dedication continue to leave a lasting impact, inspiring students to believe in themselves and strive for greatness.

Educators of the Year Celebration in March

 The Aldine ISD community celebrates Andree, Quiero Serrano, Patino, Langenbuch, Blades Miller, and Muñoz for their dedication and excellence in education and honors all Campus 80 Teachers of the Year. The two recipients of the 2025 Teacher of the Year awards — Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year — will be announced at the upcoming Educators of the Year Breakfast on March 28.