Nolanville Elementary School kindergarten teacher Erik Melomontoya and Hay Branch Elementary School pre-kindergarten aide Nayeliz Marquez Figueroa are Killeen ISD STEEL Award winners for November.
One entered the education field following 22 years of military service. The other graduated from high school three years ago.
Both are making a positive difference in the lives of students and have drawn the praise of their peers.
Hay Branch Elementary Nayeliz Marquez Figueroa
Figueroa didn’t waste time making her presence known at Hay Branch Elementary.
Killeen ISD Superintendent Jo Ann Fey joined Assistant Superintendent Will Baker and several other school district leaders, Principal Steve Bibiano and other supporters in congratulating the surprised classroom aide on the honor.
The STEEL Award stands for Supporting the Education and Empowerment of Learners. Any KISD staff member can nominate any other staff member to receive the monthly honor.
Figueroa graduated from Copperas Cove High School in 2020, attends Central Texas College and is working to be a certified classroom teacher. She started working as a classroom aide in August.
“I wanted to get some experience because I want to be a teacher,” she said.
“I love the kids. They come up to you and hug you. I love the staff. They are very supportive, always there for you. I just love teaching the little ones.”
She loves standing in the hall at the start of the day and seeing the young children with their big, bright smiles excited to see her and happy to learn.
“What excites me about being a teacher is teaching the future,” she said. “To motivate them to chase their dream and go for it.”
“It feels great. I did not expect it at all. I’m in awe.”
“She’s a joy to have around,” said Bibiano. “She cares about each and every one of our students. She takes her job seriously. Instruction is at her forefront. She’s very caring, very patient.”
Pre-kindergarten is a challenging assignment, but the principal said the young aide embraces the youngest grade level.
“She’s so responsible and caring and has such a connection with the students and the staff. We hope she’s a Hawk for a long time.”
In nominating Figueroa, Bibiano described her as positive, committed, and caring.
“The work you and the teachers you support are doing lays the foundation for a future filled with academic achievement, self-confidence, and a love for learning,” he said in the nomination.
“Your nurturing presence here at Hay Branch creates a warm and supportive environment where young minds can thrive.”
Nolanville Elementary School Eric Melomontoya
At Nolanville Elementary School, Melomontoya was humbled to receive an award for doing his job.
He retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years before becoming a bilingual classroom aide, then went to college for five years to become a teacher.
“You invest so much into it,” the kindergarten teacher said of teaching. “I get emotional,” he said, explaining that students often have distractions outside of school that can be obstacles to learning.
“I try to meet that need. I tell them that this is a safe zone. The school is a safe zone. They can come to class and be kids and learn and make learning fun,” said Melomontoya.
The teacher said he is determined to make a difference in the lives of all the students in his care and teach them to love learning.
The STEEL Award is a circular design made of steel cut in the welding bays at the KISD Career Center and polished and painted by students in the automotive body shop.
“It signifies strength, endurance, resilience, and unwavering commitment,” said Fey, “qualities that our awardees exemplify in their daily work.”
