Bilingual-ESL Education Association of the Metroplex Bilingual Teacher of the Year

DeSoto ISD is proud to announce Cockrell Hill Elementary Dual Language teacher Eva Acosta has been named the 2023 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the Bilingual-ESL Education Association of the Metroplex, also referred to as BEAM.

“We are deeply proud of the accomplishments of Mrs. Acosta,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers. “Her commitment to serving our students and building a bridge towards a successful future by laying a strong foundation for learning through dual language education is a unique opportunity that provides a huge advantage to our scholars.”

Acosta, a 20-year veteran teacher who has spent 18 of those years in DeSoto ISD, was awarded the honor at the organization’s 39th symposium in April in Dallas. The award is extended to teachers nominated by their campus principal and district bilingual team.

“Bilingual/DLI teacher Eva Acosta is an outstanding educator who brings experience, resilience, and heart to the classroom. Ms. Acosta has taught for 18 years in DeSoto ISD and her commitment to moving Emergent Bilingual students is unwavering,” said Dr. Helena Castañón-Vargas, DeSoto ISD Director for Emergent Bilinguals and Languages Other Than English.

“I am grateful for the service Ms. Acosta brings to our District. I am proud of her recognition both as the District's EB Director and BEAM President.”

Regarding Acosta’s 18 years of teaching in DeSoto ISD, she said, “DeSoto is a wonderful place to be. We are a team of educators who are truly passionate about what we do.”

When asked what she loved about teaching in the district Acosta said, “I love the community here. You really feel like you belong.”

Acosta credits her success as a teacher to the relationship and collaboration of her student’s parents.

Getting parents on board with helping their students surpass expectations was Acosta’s attribution to her impact on student success.

As an emergent bilingual teacher, Acosta said people should know, “We set the bar high for our students academically as well as develop their social and emotional maturity.” Acosta added that knowing two languages makes students more competitive as they go on to pursue future opportunities in the workforce.

“At the heart of every successful bilingual program are caring and dedicated teachers who believe in the value of native language instruction to help language minority students excel academically,” according to the BEAM Teacher of the Year web page.

“These are women and men who approach the teaching and learning process with a remarkable sense of responsibility and are guided in their actions by a deep-seated conviction that every student is important, that education matters, and that one teacher can make a difference. These are indeed extraordinary educators whose daily work in the classroom is performed con orgullo y excelencia.”