Latinx Education Collaborative Celebrates the 2024 Latinx Educator Awards

On Friday, March 8, the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC) held a remarkable celebration for the 2024 Latinx Educator Awards at Parlor in the Crossroads. The annual event recognizes exceptional Latinx educators for their contributions to advancing educational opportunities and equity for the Latinx community.

Recognizing the Extraordinary

The award ceremony, organized by the LEC, a non-profit organization devoted to educational equity and Latinx youth, paid tribute to six award recipients comprising of current and future educators. To be considered for this esteemed award, nominees had to demonstrate one or more of the core LEC values: Community, Authenticity, Personal Growth, Impact, and Integrity.

This year saw an impressive slate of 115 nominations, with only six awardees finally emerging victorious. The recipients of the awards truly embody the spirit of learning and inspirational teaching, hailing from both within and outside the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area.

Champions of Change

Edgar Palacios, Founder and CEO of the LEC, expressed his admiration for the recipients by stating, “We are delighted to honor these incredible educators for their extraordinary contributions to the lives of students and their unwavering commitment to educational equity.”

One of the integral aspects of the event was acknowledging how these luminaries of teaching have helped shape a better future for Latinx youths by being representative role models that these students could look up to. This was primarily emphasized by Stephen Linkous, a LEC board member and soon-to-be superintendent for Liberal Kansas Public Schools.

Inspiring the Future

Upcoming educators were also recognized and acclaimed for their ambition to make a difference through teaching. This highlighted the award’s focus on not just present but future educational endeavors. Among the awardees, Mariela Arzabe, winner of the Support Staff of the Year, flew in from Atlanta, Georgia for the ceremony and reflected on the transformative role students have in inspiring educators for greater leagues.

Continuing the Celebration

After the award ceremony concluded, attendees indulged in an hour of socializing and networking, while celebrating the accomplishments of the recipients. The event served as a testament to the resilience and impact of Latinx educators, both present and future, for the Latinx community.

The 2024 Latinx Educator Award Recipients are as follows:

• Edwin Pérez, Baltimore, MD – Educator of the Year
• Samanta Landa, Olathe, KS – Counselor of the Year
• Julia Avila, Kansas City, MO – Future Educator of the Year
• Jacqueline Guillen, Kansas City, MO – Aspiring Educator of the Year
• Dr. Ileana Farney, Kansas City, KS – Administrator of the Year
• Mariela Arzabe, Atlanta, GA – Support Staff of the Year

The Latinx Education Collaborative continues to foster a path of academic brilliance and representation, recognizing the essential role Latinx educators play in shaping the future for their communities.