Four students and two teachers win national recognition
Omar Rodriguez is one of those students who encourages others and celebrates fellow classmates on their achievements. But last month, it was Omar’s turn. Arlington ISD celebrated the Workman Junior High eighth grader for being one of only 11 students in the entire country to win the Math 180 Award. 
Omar was joined at the awards ceremony by three other Arlington ISD students – Oscar Aguilar from Bailey Junior High, Ja’Breon Jones from West Elementary and Christian Gutierrez from Ousley Junior High – and two teachers – Nia Jackson-Yow from Lamar High School and Dagmar Cox-Sanchez from Johns Elementary – who won national Read 180 Awards.
The HMH Read 180 and Math 180 programs are designed to help students who are behind in reading or math make rapid gains. And the 180 Awards spotlight students who have overcome personal and academic challenges to make remarkable gains and educators who go above and beyond to deliver meaningful instruction, foster student achievement and champion equity through intervention.
“Recognizing Read 180 teachers and student winners is a way to showcase and celebrate their hard work, growth and perseverance – building confidence, inspiring a love of reading and promoting a proud culture of literacy and learning in our school community,” said Michelle Webb, an Arlington ISD intervention specialist.
The 180 Awards recipients are nominated by fellow educators, coaches, intervention specialists, parents and school leaders from across the country.
“The 180 Awards are a testament to the resilience and determination of our students and the incredible impact our educators make every day,” said Matthew Mugo Fields, general manager, supplemental and intervention solutions at HMH. “Their stories of growth and leadership remind us that with the right support and resources, every student can achieve remarkable success.”
Remarkable success is becoming standard in Arlington ISD, where producing national 180 Award winners is now an annual tradition.
“Our 180 community of winners has doubled in the past three years, with more teachers and students being nominated and selected as national winners each year,” Webb said. “This recognition has brought awareness to our district around the importance of celebrating student and teacher achievement for all.”