IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  5-3-06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

SILVER CITY—Western New Mexico University will induct two women who have dedicated their careers to teaching in the classroom into the WNMU Education Hall of Fame this week as part of the Spring 2006 Commencement ceremony activities. An induction ceremony will be held at noon on Friday, May 5.

Anna Luna Perea and Irma S. Trejo will be honored as the newest members of the WNMU Education Hall of Fame.

“It gives me great pleasure to continue this tradition of acknowledging master and superior teachers,” said Dr. Patricia Manzanares-Gonzales, WNMU School of Education Dean.  “We are happy to induct Mrs. Perea and Mrs. Trejo into the School of Education’s Hall of Fame at WNMU.”

Perea earned a bachelor of arts degree from WNMU in 1977 in business education and English.  In 1985, Perea earned a master of arts in teaching degree in special education from WNMU.

Perea is currently a special education and literature teacher at La Plata Middle School.  She taught for one year with the Cobre Consolidated School District before starting her 21-year tenure with the Silver Consolidated Schools.  She has teaching experience in a variety of content areas and programs, a strong commitment to the enhancement of the teaching profession through mentoring new teachers, accepts student teachers and practicum students from WNMU, serves on district committees for budget, special education, extra-curricular club sponsor, and has high standards for all students in the classroom regardless of disabilities.

 “I believe my role as a teacher is to encourage all students to accept the challenges in their lives with a positive attitude, sound values, and as responsible citizens who can give back to their community,” said Perea.  “In order that students may achieve their goals, both in life and in the classroom, they must be nurtured to become good problem solvers and critical thinkers with positive self-concepts and respect for themselves and others.  Only then will they develop an awareness that learning is a lifelong process from which we grow to become better individuals.”

“Mrs. Perea is an outstanding educator who has consistently demonstrated her abilities through creativity, diligence and her strong belief in the potential achievement of each student,” said Dick Pool, Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent.

She is married to Robert S. Perea, a WNMU alumnus.  The couple has three children Christopher, a WNMU alumnus employed at Gateway Academy in Scottsdale, Ariz.; David, a WNMU student; and Dianna who is currently attending NMSU.

Mrs. Trejo earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education in 1975 and a master of arts in teaching degree in elementary education in 1979 from WNMU.

Trejo is being recognized for 30 years of service as an educator.   She taught from 1975 to 1992 as a second grade teacher and from 1992 through 2005 as a third grade teacher.  She has also served as a mentor teacher to numerous WNMU teacher aides and to Silver High School service learning students.

Trejo began her elementary school teaching career in Silver City at Jose Barrios Elementary School and taught second grade there for 16 years.  In the fall of 1991, she transferred to G.W. Stout Elementary School and taught second grade one year and the following year she moved up to the third grade level with her second grade class.  She taught at the third grade level for 13 years until her retirement at the end of the 2004-05 school year. 

 “I thoroughly enjoyed my entire teaching experience and gleaned a lifetime of satisfaction from having taught and touched so many little lives.  There is no greater feeling or sense of satisfaction than when I see or hear that many of my former students have made the honor roll and know that I was instrumental in helping them succeed along the way,” said Trejo.  “I know in my heart that if I had my life to live over, I would definitely choose the same career and spend another working lifetime in the classroom teaching and inspiring little minds.”

Trejo touched many students’ lives as evidenced by the numerous nomination letters submitted by former students touting her caring and enthusiasm as a teacher.

She and her husband, Herbert, have four children Ronald, Lillian, Linda, and Samuel.  The couple also has two grandchildren Kayla and Adrian.

For selection to the WNMU Education Hall of Fame, the individual must have demonstrated: 1) a dominant interest in classroom teaching and devoted the major portion of his or her professional career to classroom teaching at the primary, secondary or higher education level and 2) must have graduated from WNMU or its predecessor institution with a bachelor’s degree.

            For further information on the WNMU Education Hall of Fame, contact Dr. Patricia Manzanares-Gonzales, WNMU School of Education Dean, at 538-6416.

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