Raised in Puerto Rico as a young child, Maria Molina moved with her military family to the Fort Hood area, attended Killeen ISD schools and graduated from Ellison High School.
For her, going to work after raising her children naturally led her to a school – Saegert Elementary School and eventually into a position to help families much like her own.
Molina worked in the front office at Saegert until three years ago when she joined the multilingual team.
Her passion, clear to anyone who meets her, led to her receiving a Killeen ISD STEEL Award.
Superintendent King Davis, with a group of senior district leaders and curriculum employees successfully surprised an emotional Molina with the district employee award – Supporting the Education and Empowerment of Learners.
The district recognizes two employees a month with the honor that is based on a nomination from a supervisor.
STEEL Award recipients receive a circular, steel plaque cut, refined and polished in the welding and automotive paint and body shops at the KISD Career Center.
Molina attended Pershing Park, Manor and Ellison before going to work after raising her children. She worked at Saegert in a variety of office positions for 15 years.
Currently, she is the compliance technician in the multilingual department serving the needs of emergent bilingual students and ensuring that financial requirements are met.
While the setting is different than it was at the elementary school, she is thrilled to work for bilingual students and families.
“If there is anyone potentially (emergent bilingual), we need to properly identify them so they can get those services,” she said.
“It is for me very satisfying because so many of our students have another different language and many of our parents have a hard time communicating at their campus…Having that second language for me is very beneficial to the parents. They can have their voices heard,” she said.
“I love what I’m doing. I love that I can close that gap for students and make sure they properly get all their accommodations…and become English proficient.”
Earning an award, Molina said was shocking.
“I had no idea anything like that was every going to happen. I am beyond blessed,” she said. “I’m humbled Mrs. Lopez was able to see the passion I have. Truly, I’m very excited.”
She worked with Eli Lopez when she was principal at Saegert and re-joined her three years ago in multilingual, where Lopez is the executive director.
“Seeing her passion in multilingual services just makes me want to follow in the same path, supporting the EB students.”
Photos are loaded at www.killeenisd.org/photos