During a reception at Texas A&M International University last week, four educators were awarded for their service of teaching students and scholars with $2,500 for student loan debt.
The honorees consisted of educators from LISD, UISD, St. Augustine High School, Laredo College and Texas A&M International University.
These awards were given due to the program, established by Carlos Zaffirini Jr, honoring his mother Judith Zaffirini as a birthday gift.
Carlos Zaffirini Jr’s program is also an effort to demonstrate his gratefulness to all his professors and educative figures in his life.
The initiator of the program was not able to be present to be at the event however he had representation of his in the event.
“It’s so meaningful and memorable, so typical of who he is,” Judith Zaffirini said. “He is a wonderful son and he is so committed to making a difference for other people, but he is also grateful for his teachers and to his coaches. This is a way to saying thank you to them while also honoring me.”
The criteria for candidates inside the organizations was different, however, it was required for the recipients to have at least five years of teaching and student debt.
Judith Zaffirini added that the sources were decided to be given before holidays so the honorees could have the opportunity to spend their money in their loved ones instead of making payments.
She added that even though her son did not struggle with debt, she had some issues with finances during her education. However, she was able to overcome these thanks to a National Defense Loan.
“I’ve been supporting myself since I was 17,” she said. “ I got married at 18, my husband was 21 and he got his law degree and I got my bachelors, masters and PhD after being married and working my way through school. So I had as many as three-part time jobs and a student loan. … While he did not have a college student loan debt, he wants to help other people make their payments.
“We are so grateful to the teachers for everything that they do, because they have chosen this career that is very challenging. I only wish that we could pay them better. I will vote anytime for a teacher pay raise. I believe that our teachers and our professors are instructors, and everyone in education … should be paid significantly better, and note that I said significantly better not just better.”
Additionally, Dr. Marissa Guerrero — Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership program director and faculty member at Laredo College — was one of the honorees to receive this help to alleviate her debt.
Guerrero expressed to be thankful and having the help is an instant relief for her.
“I’m very honored and very humbled to be selected by Laredo College for this grant,” Guerrero said. “I’m very grateful to the Zaffirini family, especially Carlos, who is offering this grant in honor of his mother. Offering this award not only provides teachers a relief but shows how valuable we are as educators, and definitely the financial assistance is very welcomed to receive this wonderful opportunity.”
Guerrero was inspired to follow the educational path by seeing her teachers and professor of all levels to have hope on her and her potential.
“Teachers played a very important role for me seeing some kind of promise in me as a student and encouraging me to succeed,” Guerrero said. “That’s something that I wanted to be able to do for other students as well.”
She added that for students, particularly first-generation college students, financial struggles are very real, and as they enter another graduate program, the finances are not always there to pay for your tuition.
“Student loans are something that we’re very grateful for, as the students that we have those opportunities, but then when you get those degrees, it’s time to pay them back,” Guerrero said. “That plus raising children and just the cost of living altogether, it can get challenging, so definitely stepping up program like this is very welcome to our community.”
Dr. Martha Salinas — TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences clinical assistant professor and a 2020 Doctor of Nursing practice program graduate from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee — echoed Guerrero’s comments and appreciated the privilege of being a recipient.
“It’s a great honor, and I am humbled about it that I got selected, especially what it actually means to us,” she said. “I got my doctorate in the fall of 2020 during the pandemic, but I still owe from my masters and nursing practice. It is a struggle and it’s an extra payment. I have a daughter who is a has also a masters and we also have her student loan, so this will help us greatly.
“I’ve always been passionate about caring for people. It’s a journey of step by step.”
karol.garcia@lmtonline.com
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