Jessica Lazaro was doing what she loves most—teaching students at Cole Elementary—when a whole team of people barged into her classroom in the campus gym with an exciting announcement: she had been chosen as one of San Antonio’s best teachers.
Lazaro, a physical education teacher, is Northside ISD’s 2026-27 EXCEL Award winner.
The EXCEL Award recognizes outstanding teachers across San Antonio. The surprise celebration included representatives from KENS 5 and Credit Human (award sponsors), who joined the assembled crowd of NISD administrators, students, and family members to honor Lazaro and present her with a crystal apple and a $2,000 check.
Now in her ninth year as an educator, Lazaro says she became a teacher because of a middle school coach who believed in her when she didn’t yet believe in herself.
“Through sports, Coach Castaneda recognized my potential and taught me that with confidence, hard work, and perseverance, I could achieve more than I imagined,” Lazaro said.
“What impacted me most was not only how much she cared about her students, but how hard she worked to provide opportunities for us despite limited resources. She constantly found ways to secure equipment, uniforms, and support for our programs, and her dedication shaped the educator I am today.
“She inspired me to continue growing, evolving, and finding ways to create opportunities for my own students. More importantly, she helped me become a stronger leader and a better person.
“I became a teacher because I hope to make the same kind of impact on my students that she made on me.”
A Pivotal Moment in Her Life
One of the most meaningful experiences that inspired Lazaro to become a teacher happened when she was in middle school.
“My family could only afford one pair of shoes each school year. Because I was constantly running in athletics and sports, my shoes became so worn that the seams started coming apart. One day, after finishing a run, my shoe completely fell apart. My coach told me to call my mom to bring another pair, but I explained that I couldn’t—that was the only pair of shoes I had.
“Instead of feeling sorry for me, my coach saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. She made me a deal: If I joined the track team and won first place in the mile at every meet, she would buy me a new pair of running shoes.
“I accepted the challenge, joined the team, and worked harder than I ever had. At the final meet of the season, my coach surprised me with a custom pair of Nike running shoes.
“As she handed them to me, she told me, ‘Believe in yourself because you can do anything you put your mind to.’
“Those words have stayed with me ever since. I still have those shoes today—not because they’re a pair of sneakers, but because they remind me of a teacher who believed in me when I needed it most.
“Her kindness, encouragement, and willingness to invest in a student changed the course of my life. Today, I strive to be that same teacher for my own students: someone who sees their potential, removes barriers when possible, and helps them believe they are capable of achieving more than they ever imagined.”
Lazaro’s EXCEL Award story will air on KENS 5 on Sept. 15 and 17 and will be featured on the KENS 5 EXCEL Awards webpage.
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