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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 27, 2018

Fort Sam Houston Elementary School teacher wins EXCEL Award for dedication to children

By David DeKunder 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Kim Ware, a second-grade teacher at Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, loves to teach because she gets to make an impact on children each day she is in the classroom.

“I just feel like that you’re doing something to make a difference in the world and that experience they have in my classroom will carry with them long past the time that they’re with me, and I really love being part of that,” Ware said.

Ware’s passion and dedication for the children she teaches has earned her the KENS 5 Credit Human EXCEL Award for the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District, an award that recognizes local and San Antonio area public school teachers who use innovative practices in the classroom and are making a difference in the lives of students in the classroom and beyond.

Each year the EXCEL Award program recognizes one teacher from each of the 19 area school districts, who submit nominations for the award. The teachers who are selected for the award each receive a $1,000 check from Credit Human, a local credit union, and a news feature about them on television station KENS, channel 5.

Ware received the award from KENS morning news anchor Sarah Forgany during an assembly of schoolchildren, teachers and administrators in the Fort Sam Houston Elementary School cafeteria Nov. 13.

Before presenting the award to Ware, Forgany gave the reasons why the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District nominated the elementary school teacher for the award.

“She sets an outstanding example of teacher leadership at Fort Sam Houston Elementary School,” Forgany said. “She shows up every day with a big smile on her face and she is never afraid to try something new.”

After receiving the award, a surprised Ware addressed the schoolchildren, teachers and parents in the audience.

“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” she said. “Fort Sam Houston Elementary is the best school to teach in. I’m constantly borrowing and learning and growing from the teachers that I teach with and I truly feel blessed to be teaching here.

“The parents, the kids, you guys bring such joy to my life,” Ware added. “I love you so much. Thank you.”

Ware has been an elementary school teacher for 17 years, including seven at Fort Sam Houston Elementary School.

Ware said as a teacher she tries to find ways to make learning fun for the children she teaches.

“I always try to make it authentic,” Ware said. “I try to think what would engage them and make them interested in learning. I also develop a relationship with the kids early on in the year to make sure that I’m meeting their emotional needs. I feel like if their emotional needs are being met, then their academic needs will then follow through.”

Dr. Joseph Cerna, Fort Sam Houston Elementary School principal, said Ware is a teacher who puts students first.

“Most of our teachers gravitate to her because she’s student centered,” Cerna said. “She does a lot of work with our children and makes sure every student has an opportunity to do well and it’s not just once in a while, that’s all the time with her.”

In addition, Cerna said Ware is a resilient and patient person who is always helping her colleagues to become better teachers.

“She will face any challenge . . . will help anybody with a challenge that they have,” the school principal said. “That’s one thing we noticed about her right away is she’s always willing to help and just that leadership is what makes her the most deserving of the award.”