Meet our First Educator Spotlight Award Winner: Jeny Trevino
Magnolia West High School’s Jeny Trevino Wins First-Ever Kresston Educator Spotlight Award
Teaching isn’t just a job for Jeny Trevino, it’s a passion, a mission, and a daily commitment to making a difference. This dedication has earned the Magnolia West High School Spanish teacher the first-ever Kresston Educator Spotlight Award.
The honor celebrates the hardworking educators and staff at schools serving Kresston, including Magnolia West High School, Audubon Elementary, Magnolia Parkway Intermediate, and Magnolia Parkway Junior High School.
Educators are selected based on recommendations from the Kresston community. Along with the recognition, winners receive a $500 prize to support their classrooms and innovative teaching methods.
Trevino received 10 nominations with residents saying she is very dedicated to her students and builds amazing relationships, encourages her students to not only focus on their education but to be a hard-working member of their community, and spends a lot of her own money to fund classroom activities.
She had not planned on becoming a teacher. She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2024 with a degree in Criminal Justice.
"At first, I didn’t see myself becoming a teacher," she said. "That changed when I started working in the district as a behavior paraprofessional. Being in the classroom, building relationships with students, and helping them work through challenges made me realize how much of an impact educators can have."
She chose to teach Spanish because it is part of who she is and she wants students to feel confident using it in real life.
"It opens doors, not just for jobs, but for understanding people and cultures," she said. "It helps students see the world differently and communicate with more people. It also builds confidence, especially when they realize they can actually use what they’ve learned."
She was surprised to receive so many nominations.
"Teaching can be tough, and sometimes you don’t always know if you’re making a difference.," she said. "So, hearing that people took the time to nominate me means a lot and reminds me that what we do matters."
Trevinos said that she is always trying to make lessons more interactive and fun. She will use the $500 award to support her classroom, with things like activities, materials, and resources that make learning more engaging,
Some of the activities she incorporates include things like speaking games, competitions, Blookets, role-playing conversations, and real-life scenarios. Activities that get students moving, talking, and using the language instead of just memorizing it.
Trevino said she is still growing as a teacher, but she takes a lot of pride in showing up for her students every single day.
"Teaching isn’t just a job to me, it’s something I genuinely care about. I want my students to know they have someone in their corner who believes in them, pushes them, and wants to see them succeed."
We congratulate Ms. Trevino and look forward to learning how our award as helped her and her students. Nominations are now open for the second quarter. They close May 1 and will be announced May 31. If you are a Kresston resident and know of a teacher who goes above and beyond, we want to hear from you.