2 Northwest Early College High School teachers among best educators in the region

Two Northwest Early College High School teachers were recognized by The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Education as among the best educators in the region in the efforts to increase underrepresented students in computer science education. 

Northwest teachers Berenice Sotelo and David Esquivel are among the elite six educators from throughout the region to be named 2024-25 K-12 Fellows in the Hopper-Dean Center of Excellence for K-12 Computer Science Education at The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Education. 

The fellowship recognizes exceptional K-12 teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing computer science education, computational thinking and computational science in schools throughout the Paso del Norte region. Each fellow receives a $2,500 stipend and collaborates with the Hopper-Dean Center to shape the future of computer science education for Hispanic and other underrepresented student populations.

The fellows program leverages the expertise of exceptional educators to develop and implement strategies that enhance computing literacy and career readiness for students.

“Ms. Sotelo and Mr. Esquivel are part of the corps of educators here at Northwest Early College who have made a commitment to transform the lives of students through high-rigor education,” said Principal Frank Clark. “To have two of our own be among the six fellows selected is a testament to the level of commitment that exists among our faculty toward our students.” 

The two Canutillo Independent School District educators were recognized during a ceremony on the UTEP campus this week along with the other four fellows. 

Each fellow will serve in an advisory role, collaborating with the Hopper-Dean Center and UTEP’s College of Education to promote innovative teaching methods and advocate for the inclusion of computer science in school curriculums across the region.

This is the third consecutive year a Canutillo ISD educator has been selected as a center fellow. In the 2022-23 cycle, former Northwest teacher Catherine Tabor was selected, while in the 2023-24 cycle Canutillo Middle School teacher Lisa Roskosky was named a fellow.