Gigi Rodriguez honored for excellence in science teaching
Gigi Rodriguez, science instructor at United Day School, was named one of six recipients of the Texas Medical Association's 2002 Excellence in Science Teaching Awards. Rodriguez was nominated by United Day School principal Rita Peters and Laredo physician Dr. David Garza, and the award was brought to their attention by Dr. Jane and Dr. Gary Unzeitig. Pictured with Rodriguez, center, are her daughter Maggie, Rita Peters, Leo Unzeitig, and Joseph Garza.

By Sandra Iruegas

United Day School science instructor Gigi Rodriguez is one of the six science teachers from across the state who are recipients of the Texas Medical Association's 2002 Excellence in Science Teaching Awards. Rodriguez was honored April 18 with a ceremony at the TMA's annual meeting in Dallas. The award, which includes a $4,000 cash award and a $2,500 resource grant for United Day School, is presented by the Texas Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs.

Rodriguez earned first place among junior high school teachers for her lesson plan "Take Two and Call Me in the Morning," an exercise that allowed UDS students to explore the human body's major systems, as well as the prevention, treatment, and cure of various ailments that can attack those systems.

In addition to lesson plans, the TMA's judges reviewed Rodriguez' professional profile and involvement in education, and her nomination and endorsement letters. UDS principal Rita Peters and Laredo physician Dr. David Garza, a member of the Texas Board of Medical Examiners, nominated Rodriguez.

"Gigi is a teacher who, for a quarter of a century, has shaped countless lives and indirectly affected the quality of life for the citizens of Texas through her contributions to science education," said Garza.

"She has a Master's level education, but a Ph.D. in dedication to education and connecting with students," he added.

Rodriguez, a lifetime educator, holds a Master's in Education from Texas A&I University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from St. Edward's University in Austin. In public education she has taught two years in fourth grade, 10 years in fifth grade, eight years in fifth and sixth grade science/social studies in gifted & talented magnet program, and in private education she has taught five years in middle school (sixth to eighth grades) as a science/social studies teacher.

Some of her professional activities include a presentation of a NASA lesson to a group of Russian students with an interpreter; she has directed and guided the Science Curriculum Writing for Elementary Grades; and she has spoken on the teaching profession for Career Day.

"I am thrilled Gigi has received this award," said Peters. "She is an excellent teacher who is creative and innovative in her teaching methods and classroom environment. She is dedicated not only to her students, but to her peers, her school, and her profession," Peters added.

Rodriguez' strengths are in the areas of motivating learners, her in-depth knowledge of the subject, and the combination of instructional strategies she uses, said Peters, who noted that students are so involved that discipline never seems to be a problem. Rodriguez has earned the respect of her students and her peers, added Peters, and has become known as a leader and expert on the UDS campus in areas ranging from the environment and the human body to the latest space endeavor.

Rodriguez has taken part in special program activities in the community. She has sponsored students for Earth Day, an event in which students go into the community to teach about saving the earth. She has produced an Earth Day play and marched in the local parade. Rodriguez has also sponsored Make a Difference Day, in which students collected donations of old newspapers and animal food and worked at the animal shelter bathing animals, cleaning their environment, and grooming them. She also sponsored an Invention Fair, in which teachers gave mini-seminars on inventions; the topics included the importance of inventions throughout the century, drawing on creativity from within, and tools of use for inventions. Rodriguez guided the students in creating their own inventions to present in the fair.

"I can speak for all the doctors of our medical society when I say we are very proud of the extremely high level of teaching that Ms. Rodriguez delivers to her students, as education is the road to success," said Dr. Judson Somerville, president of the Tri-County Medical Society. Somerville's oldest daughter, Madison, was once a student of Rodriguez, and he says he is well aware of the impact her teaching had on his daughter.

Rodriguez' teaching honors include Teacher of the Year for three different years and three different schools; the Golden Apple Award, first city runner-up; and the Laredo Liberty Bell Award nominated by the Laredo Bar Association.

Gigi Rodriguez had only modest words to say about her Texas Medical Association Excellence in Science Teaching Award nomination. "It's an honor to be awarded for something I love doing," she said. "If I do a good job it is because of them. The kids inspire me!"