Alejandro De La Pena
Position: Special Education Teacher
School: Parkland Middle School
School District: Ysleta Independent School District
City, State: El Paso, TX
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Music that Describes Alejandro
Alejandro De La Pena was nominated by his spouse, Ana Bricia De La Pena.
In the 3 1/2 years Mr. De La Pena has been at Parkland Middle School, he has already been able to help bring in almost $200,000 in grants, which is an incredible feat for any school anywhere in the world. Incredibly, more than 60% of that total has been directly awarded to him for grants that he's written. Another 25% of that amount are grants that he's helped other teachers write, and you'd still have to throw in another $20,000 for grants that he's helped write for other teachers from other schools across the city and state. In DonorsChoose grants alone, his school went from having one project funded for $174 before he arrived to almost 200 funded projects for almost $150,000 in just over three years. He helped get his school from having one teacher funded on DonorsChoose to having over 40 teachers funded. For DonorsChoose, he has been able to lead his school to be the #1 All-Time School in El Paso, and he's the #1 All-Time Teacher in El Paso.
"Mr. De La Pena has helped spread knowledge through frequent school-wide, district-wide, and regional professional development sessions," said De La Pena. "He's also helped reward, showcase, and award students and the community through events like Christmas Gift Giveaways, NspirED@thePark (where community members share their inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles), SEL@thePark Awards (to celebrate community members who help build and promote a positive social-emotional learning environment), and more. Every year, his grant writing helps more than 1,300 students and countless members of the community."
Congratulations Mr. De la Peña! Certainly your dedication and generous heart have not gone unnoticed. Truly the impact you have made on the lives of our El Paso children is still forthcoming. Thank you!
Congratulations! Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the Parkland MS students!
Mr. De La Pena ,you're making a huge impact. Thanks for all you do for the students and faculty!
I am a parent of the Parkland Community and I have kept track of Mr. De La Pena's impact since his arrival a few years ago. Within a month of his first day, he brought in over $2,000 to help our homeless families and students. He helped get them clothes, beds, food, hygiene products, diapers and even phones. His first school year, the school had over $28,000 in donations and he alone had over $17,000 in donations that helped all 1,400+ students at PMS ranging from Special Education, Bilingual, Sports, and so many others. He also created a project that helped get over $2,500 for the school's Special Olympics team! Imagine helping over 1,400 students and their families! Every year! His Christmas Gifts have given over 600 low income and at risk students an opportunity to have a present to open when many wouldn't have anything. That first year, his NspirED@thePark event showcased 10 of our community members, parents and students to allow them share their inspirational stories of overcoming obstacles and lift the spirits of everyone in attendance and everyone that has seen the videos too. At the end of his second school year, is when the COVID19 pandemic started and he didn't let that stop his mission of helping change lives. A few months in to the pandemic, when school was still virtual, he created the SEL@thePark Awards to recognize students, teachers, parents and other community members for their positive contributions to the school's social emotional learning environment. Then he did that again the following school year and is in the process of doing it again this school year! He's also helped more than 40 of his school's 90 teachers create their DonorsChoose projects and helped them get fully funded for almost $150,000 in donations in just 3.5 school years. But he's also helped over 50 other teachers from other districts (including every district in the El Paso area), in other cities and even in other states create their projects and get them fully funded also! That's more than 90 other classrooms from all over the United States with about 20-30 students each! That's more than 2,000 students outside of his own school that he's helped change their lives too! That's just incredible! He's helped every department in his school get needed resources every year! RLA, Science, Math, Social Studies, SPED, Sports, Nurses, Counselors, STEM and even helped keep every person that entered the school safer by getting wall mounted thermometers when school went back to in-person! That's 1,000s and 1,000s of visitors, parents, students and more! This previous school year, he helped get over $44,000 in donations just through his projects that he created! Not counting the almost $36,000 he helped other teachers get too! This year, recently he created a project to help 10 students participate in the El Paso Marathon 5k by paying for their registration fees and the school even had 2 of the students finish 1st in their categories! These students would not have been able to pay for the fees and now they've started to develop a love for staying healthy! He's also helped the school's most at-risk students by getting over $20,000 in donations for items like feminine hygiene products to fight period poverty, sports jackets to dress up and attend a ballet, snacks to help feed students that don't have food at home and more! He's designed several Autism shirts to raise awareness and funds for the school's Special Education student club. Recently, he also orchestrated collaboration with a local barbershop to help get students free haircuts every month! His second year, he even created a Family Literacy Night to give away 100's of books to students and helped bring in local authors and speakers to help our families foster a love for literacy. He even brought in 2 Little Free Libraries to our community and gave one of them away to a neighboring Elementary school. Through this Little Free Library, he's helped give away over 2,000 brand new books completely free to anyone in our community! The school has had over $150,000 in donations through DonorsChoose, other schools have received around $50,000 in donations as well thanks to him. But he also writes grants to get funds through other companies like Target, Freeport-McMoran, Dollar General and more! Altogether, he's helped bring in more than $200,000 through all sources since August 2018! Shockingly, most students, teachers and parents don't even know that he's helped them. He helps distribute materials and items, but doesn't take credit for any of it. Students and teachers that get the materials often think that it was the school administration or that the items were bought through school funds, but he never seeks recognition for his efforts. He's helped every teacher be the best they can be, he's helped every student reach their full potential, he's helped parents overcome obstacles, but he always chooses to stay out of the spotlight. The school would be successful with or without him, but the lives of so many in our community wouldn't have changed for the better without him. He is truly a LifeChanger in our community, even if he doesn't win this award, he'll keep changing lives.
Mr. De la Pena is a teacher that cares about all his students and ennsures that his students are learning at all times. He also goes out of his way to have HAPPY students. He is always looking for resources to get school supplies, computers and any learning materials. This campus is grateful and appreciative of his hard work.
Mr. De La Pena has been a blessing to our campus. He is always willing to help our teachers obtain resources and materials for our students. He thinks outside the box and is an asset to our school community. I am honored to be his principal!
I am a parent of the Parkland Community and I have kept track of Mr. De La Pena's impact since his arrival a few years ago. Within a month of his first day, he brought in over $2,000 to help our homeless families and students. He helped get them clothes, beds, food, hygiene products, diapers and even phones. His first school year, the school had over $28,000 in donations and he alone had over $17,000 in donations that helped all 1,400+ students at PMS ranging from Special Education, Bilingual, Sports, and so many others. He also created a project that helped get over $2,500 for the school's Special Olympics team! Imagine helping over 1,400 students and their families! Every year! His Christmas Gifts have given over 600 low income and at risk students an opportunity to have a present to open when many wouldn't have anything. That first year, his NspirED@thePark event showcased 10 of our community members, parents and students to allow them share their inspirational stories of overcoming obstacles and lift the spirits of everyone in attendance and everyone that has seen the videos too. At the end of his second school year, is when the COVID19 pandemic started and he didn't let that stop his mission of helping change lives. A few months in to the pandemic, when school was still virtual, he created the SEL@thePark Awards to recognize students, teachers, parents and other community members for their positive contributions to the school's social emotional learning environment. Then he did that again the following school year and is in the process of doing it again this school year! He's also helped more than 40 of his school's 90 teachers create their DonorsChoose projects and helped them get fully funded for almost $150,000 in donations in just 3.5 school years. But he's also helped over 50 other teachers from other districts (including every district in the El Paso area), in other cities and even in other states create their projects and get them fully funded also! That's more than 90 other classrooms from all over the United States with about 20-30 students each! That's more than 2,000 students outside of his own school that he's helped change their lives too! That's just incredible! He's helped every department in his school get needed resources every year! RLA, Science, Math, Social Studies, SPED, Sports, Nurses, Counselors, STEM and even helped keep every person that entered the school safer by getting wall mounted thermometers when school went back to in-person! That's 1,000s and 1,000s of visitors, parents, students and more! This previous school year, he helped get over $44,000 in donations just through his projects that he created! Not counting the almost $36,000 he helped other teachers get too! This year, recently he created a project to help 10 students participate in the El Paso Marathon 5k by paying for their registration fees and the school even had 2 of the students finish 1st in their categories! These students would not have been able to pay for the fees and now they've started to develop a love for staying healthy! He's also helped the school's most at-risk students by getting over $20,000 in donations for items like feminine hygiene products to fight period poverty, sports jackets to dress up and attend a ballet, snacks to help feed students that don't have food at home and more! He's designed several Autism shirts to raise awareness and funds for the school's Special Education student club. Recently, he also orchestrated collaboration with a local barbershop to help get students free haircuts every month! His second year, he even created a Family Literacy Night to give away 100's of books to students and helped bring in local authors and speakers to help our families foster a love for literacy. He even brought in 2 Little Free Libraries to our community and gave one of them away to a neighboring Elementary school. Through this Little Free Library, he's helped give away over 2,000 brand new books completely free to anyone in our community! The school has had over $150,000 in donations through DonorsChoose, other schools have received around $50,000 in donations as well thanks to him. But he also writes grants to get funds through other companies like Target, Freeport-McMoran, Dollar General and more! Altogether, he's helped bring in more than $200,000 through all sources since August 2018! Shockingly, most students, teachers and parents don't even know that he's helped them. He helps distribute materials and items, but doesn't take credit for any of it. Students and teachers that get the materials often think that it was the school administration or that the items were bought through school funds, but he never seeks recognition for his efforts. He's helped every teacher be the best they can be, he's helped every student reach their full potential, he's helped parents overcome obstacles, but he always chooses to stay out of the spotlight. The school would be successful with or without him, but the lives of so many in our community wouldn't have changed for the better without him. He is truly a LifeChanger in our community, even if he doesn't win this award, he'll keep changing lives.
Mr. De La Pena, I can't thank you enough for you love and support you have given to the Communities in Schools program here at Parkland Middle. You have done so much to and devoted so much time and energy when you didn't have to. We appreciate you and everything you do.
Mr. De la Peña is always so willing to help others. His time and effort does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do!
Mr. De La Pena always goes above and beyond for our students! He consistently goes out of his way to support all of our kids to include our special populations. He has a generous spirit that he shares with one and all. Mr. De La Pena is in essence a life saver and life changer for our community!
Thank you Mr. De La Pena for all you do for our Parkland Community! Congrats and Good Luck!
During his time at Parkland, Mr. De la Pena has gone above and beyond for the students and staff. He has donated his time and efforts enselfishly time and again. He deserves to be recognized as a pillar of the community.
Mr. De La Peña is so deserving of this commendation! Always giving his time for the betterment of our students and campus. We are grateful for the resources he has brought to The Park!
Thank you Mr. De La Pena for helping me set up and get my first Donors Choose Project funded. Your dedication has helped many students and teachers on our campus, and you are appreciated.
Mr. De La Pena helped me get 3 projects funded. He was informative and helpful. If it weren't for his support, I wouldn't even have tried. He took the time to explain and show me how to do this.
Mr. De La Pena is always ready and willing to help anyone. He always makes time to help in whichever way he can.
He inspires others to make this school a great place to be. He cares about his students and other's students because he wants students to be their best.
Mr. De La Peña is willing to help and goes the extra mile to help when needed. I have never heard him say "no". He is our school community's project funding guru.
Mr. De La Pena's contribution to the community has gone way above and beyond any expectation of any educator. He has dedicated his time to help me fund a project that provided the necessary equipment to live stream all of our sporting events during the pandemic. He helped countless teachers fund other projects to upgrade equipment and programs necessary for virtual learning. He not only helps SPED but also our At Risk population have experiences they would never have at their age. His efforts were instrumental to our our success as a campus.
Mr. De La Pena makes the job of teaching just a little easier for all of us. He has made a tremendous difference in our ability to support ALL OF OUR KIDS in ways big and small. Parkland is so lucky we have him in our community!!
Mr. De La Pena goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure every student has the tools and resources available to succeed in the classroom. He makes time for faculty and staff to assist with Donors Choose. He is a very dedicated and professional teacher and colleague.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Mr. De La Pena as a coworker and as a fitness lover. He has a joy for helping others, motivating students and coworkers, and going above and beyond to improve the well being of everyone around him. This man strives to make the world a better place and I personally have had the pleasure to grow from his example.
Thank you SO much for always helping teachers that need resources for students. You have been such a blessing to all of us! We would not have been as successful without you helping us get robots and a poster printer for our competitions. We are very grateful for all you do in our community.
Thank you Mr. De La Pena for helping me set up and get my first Donors Choose Project funded. Your dedication has helped many students and teachers on our campus, and you are appreciated.
Mr. De La Peña impacts the community with his hustle and effort in getting projects funded through Donors Choose. His innovation, hard work, and commitment to our school cannot be understated and deserves recognition! Thank you Mr. De La Peña for your hard work!
Our students have benefitted greatly from all your hard work. Thank you! Good luck!!!
I have been at other campuses and let me tell you that the morning announcement/news given is amazing. The graphics, music, video and information are clear, concise and awesome. Mr. De La Pena models dedication. I am looking forward to having him help me create my first Donors Choose. Kudos, Mr. De La Pena!
Mr. De La Pena is a great coworker, who supports the students in classroom and our staff.
Mr.De La Pena , has always had an open hand in helping teachers and students. He makes time for all the teachers working on a donors choose ! He is wonderful
Always on the go for the students
Mr. De La Peña Is an example of what a committed teacher does for his class, campus, coworkers, and community. He is always thinking how he can help and guide his students to go beyond above. Mr. DLP is dedicated teacher that is always willing to help his students succeed!
Mr.De La Pena , has always had an open hand in helping teachers and students. He makes time for all the teachers working on a donors choose ! He is wonderful
Mr. De La Pena is always going above and beyond for Parkland Middle School students and the community.
Mr. De La Pena is a dedicated teacher and a hardworking teacher.
Mr. De la Peña is always so willing to help others. His time and effort does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do!
Mr. De La Peña goes above and beyond for his students and for his coworkers as well. He is a true definition of a life changer because he works hard to provide materials that students need and teachers too! He helped me with my DonorsChoose project and I am thankful to him for that. He is one of the nicest person I know and it is a huge pleasure to work with him. Keep up the great work Mr.DLP!
Mr. De La Pena has been such a great help to our school community. He helped me get wireless mice through Donors Choose for all my 6th grade Math students to take away some frustration in writing on their laptops. It was such a great success. Thank you Mr. De la Pena!!!!
All about the kids! Mr De La Pena is such an asset to our school and all the kids attending Parkland Middle! Good Luck Mr De La Pena!!! You deserve this!!!
In the short amount of time I have known Mr. De La Pena he has been friendly and helpful. We have asked for favors numerous times in the library and he has come through for us. Mr. De La Pena helped fund our maker-spaces in the library and the children have been able to enjoy and learn from them every day. Thank you for all you do!
Mr. Pena's commitment to our students and teachers is superior to any other staff member I have observed. He looks for every opportunity to improve teaching and learning at our school. He deserves to be recognized as the Life Changer of the Year.
Mr. De La Pena is the most self giving optimistic teacher I have ever encountered. He is always looking for ways to impact student learning by informing teachers on how to gather funds to be able to implement their project, selflessly giving up time out of his day.
Go Mr. De La Pena!
Mr. De La Pena, provides support for all students in the classroom.
Mr. De La Pena is very selfless and helpful at Parkland Middle School. He has funded many projects for our STEM program to help them continue their love and passion for the subject matter.
Mr. De La Pena s a hardworking, dedicated teacher that is always willing to help his students succeed! Thank you for helping the Parkland Community!
He is a great guy who goes the extra mile for his students, school, and community. Good Luck Mr. De la Pena! If there is anyone who deserves this recognition, it would be you!
Thank you for your tremendous help in our new project. Without your diligence, hard work, late nights, and early mornings we wouldn’t have been able to meet the deadline. Excellent work!
Mr. De La Peña has become an asset to the Parkland Middle School community and faculty. He has been instrumental to getting funds to our students, school and community. Thank you and keep up the good job.
Mr. De La Pena is always willing to help the campus with Donors Choose projects and has very significant difference in the supplies and materials our kids have received over the last years. We are very lucky to have him at Parkland Middle.
Mr. De La Pena has always had our backs. He is the most extraordinary asset for PMS and will always receive our gratitude for all he does and has done for our PMS family.
He does an amazing job at the school to support students and teachers.
Mr. De La Pena is an amazing and kind person. He is always willing to help teachers create donorschoose projects. It does not matter the day or time he is willing to be of service. I am very grateful to him because he has helped me create several projects for my students. Thank you Mr. DLP.
He has done a great job with students and with helping become a better teacher aide. He is always their loving the students and the staff he is very hard working. I appreciate everything he does here at Parkland Middle School.
Mr. De La Peña has done an amazing job spreading the word about our amazing school! He has done so much to raise money for our school and put us on the map! Thank you Mr. De La Peña for all you have done for our school!
He does an amazing job at the school to support students and teachers.
During my first year of teaching I had the pleasure of having Mr. De La Pena guide me in submitting my first donorschoose project. He made the process so much easier! I was able to collect enough donations to receive prizes for my students. Thank you for your patience, your hard work, and everything that you do for us here at the park .
Mr. De La Pena is always there willing to help you if you need it ! I can't think of anyone more deserving .
He is hardworking and does a great job with the students. He always puts the students first. Good Luck Mr. De La Pena!
You're a wonderful asset to our campus in not only how you help your students, but your colleagues as well.
Mr. De La Pena is always willing to lend a helping hand!! He never hesitates to reach out to the Parkland staff whether it's for helping to create a project or offering trainings after school!
Mr. De La Pena has been an instrumental person on our campus to build culture, support teachers, and especially our students. He has gone above and beyond for funding to find the items needed for our amazing community!
DLP is always going above and beyond in the interest of the students
Thank your for everything you do for the park. It’s much appreciated.
A person who deserves it! He supports his campus and community tremendously!
Mr. De la Pena has been a pinnacle to our campus over the years he has taught. He has helped to assist teachers in receiving supplies for their classrooms, recording important moments on our campus, and recognizing teachers and students for their excellence in education. It is only fair for him to finally receive recognition for all he does for others. He would be an amazing representative for this award.
Mr De La Pena raised money to buy books as Christmas gifts to my at risk students. He is a constant help.
Mr. De La Pena,
What an amazing contribution to The Park! The students, staff and community thanks you for your efforts in helping our school. Thank you for all you have done!
Thank you so much for all the help. Because of you we can do great things for the students
We are SO GRATEFUL to have Mr.DLP here at our campus! Mr. DLP never stops working hard for our students, staff, and community! Thank you for all you do to make a difference for our kids!
Thanks a lot for all your hard work!! This recognition is well deserved.
He is a wonderful teacher
Mr. De la Pena has done so much for the community and our school. He is a dedicated teacher and he is always putting in that extra time to help anyone that asks.
Awesome congrats on your achievements!
Mr. De La Pena is an amazing asset to the Parkland Middle School campus and community.
Keep up the great work!! Thank you for all you do!
Your time and effort to fund dream classrooms and projects is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you for your dedication to making The Park and even better place!
Mr. De La Pena is very helpful and always available when needed. He is always positive and willing to help staff and especially students.
Mr. De la Pena goes above and beyong to help the community and our campus. He is always willing to help others!
Thank you Mr. De la Pena for your help in our Parkland Community! Congrats and Good Luck!!!!!!
Thank you Mr. De La Pena for everything you have done for our campus and students.
Thank you for the awesome NIKE backpacks you funded for our track athletes!
Mr. De la Peña is a hardworking, dedicated teacher that is always willing to help his students succeed! Not only is he dedicated to helping his students, but takes time from his busy schedule to help his co-workers and others.Thank you for helping me with my DonorsChoose project!
Good luck Alex! You deserve it! Always working hard and willing to help others, thank you for helping me with my DonorsChoose project!
Mr. De La Peña Is an example of what a committed teacher does for his class, campus, coworkers, and community. He is always thinking how he can help and guide his students to go beyond above. It's amazing, how he uses different strategies to encourage his students to learn in class and the way he supports them to be more independent in their lives.
Thank you for having a big heart, demonstrating respect, and compassion for your students.
Mr. De La Peña is a hardworking educator who cares for his students and the school community. He has gone above and beyond to help bring much needed resources to the campus. Keep up the great work!
#LCOY Mr. De La Peña is an awesome teacher who works very hard and shows concern for his kids! His students are lucky to have him. He utilizes all kinds of fun ideas to motivate and teach them.
Alex, aka GT has always been a #LCOY since our college days. Alex helped me reach my first goal at donors choose, even though I wasn't working in his school nor state. He is always willing to lend a helping hand! Thank you Alex!
I had the pleasure of working with Mr. De La Pena last year. This is the most supportive and caring person I have ever met. The amount of things he does for staff and students is by far the most above and beyond I have ever seen someone be. If there is someone to grow up wanting to be Mr. De La Pena is that person. He helped me complete Donors Choose projects to help fund my own classroom. Without his support I would have never even considered submitting a project let alone 4 in the first few months of school! Finally, Mr. De La Pena has become a friend, someone I can ask for help or even just catch up with. He is so caring and deserves this award.
You’re amazing at what you do! I admire the passion and dedication that you have for your students. It’s people like you that make this world a better place. Thanks for all you do!
Mr. De La Peña is definitely a life changer he goes above and beyond for all students in the campus, he is always willing to give a helping hand and answer questions he is truly the definition Of team player and life changer and the passion he shows definitely is proven by his actions.
#LCOY
#LCOY
Mr DLP is an amazing role model of what committing to a community looks like. II appreciate Mr. DLP’s enthusiasm and willingness to help. He really is an example of what an altruistic educator is and deserves all the recognition. Thank you mr DLP. #LCOY
