Mario Bracamontes
Position: Principal
School: Buell Central Disciplinary Alternative High School
School District: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District
City, State: Pharr, TX
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Mario Bracamontes was nominated by his colleague, Carolina Castillo.
Students, teachers, and support staff at Buell Central Disciplinary Alternative Middle and High School work hard every day, because their mission goes beyond school or district goals. Mr. Bracamontes is the founder of the Second Chance Foundation which helps students get back on the right educational path. He is invested in the restoration of a student, through the innovation theme of sustainability. Students at Buell Central have been removed from their campus for serious offenses. Because the school offers students a second chance through hands-on sustainability projects, they feel a sense of belonging and contribution to the community.
Teachers are motivated by helping the deserving second chance students engage in projects that will help them in the world of work, academia, and productivity. These projects are reserved for the top ten percent of any school district, known as STEM. They have accepted the challenge of brining the STEM Educational concept to their students, and have succeeded in doing so. By thinking outside the box, Mr. Bracamontes was able to create the first Alternative School Rugby program for both girls and boys. This lead to a state championship in 2016 and runner up in 2017. They received the Texas Legislature Resolution for Best At-Risk Program for Rugby.
Mr. Bracamontes created a basketball league for at-risk students, and now have 7 school alternative centers participating in the league as well. He started the first alternative school Robotics co-ed club that won the regional and state championships, which took them to St. Louis Missouri for the world’s Robotic Championship. Their school was nominated for a Green Ribbon School award because of their Sustainability Curriculum/ Project Based learning efforts. It included urban ecology, hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, organic soil, wind and solar clean energy. Buell Central has also been awarded paid internships throughout the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Program and South Texas Manufacturing Association. They received a grant from the National Wildlife Foundation for student conservation programs
Select students were chosen to represent the Rio Grande Valley at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Sustainable Conference. Buell Central was chosen to present at the Valley Environmental Summit, were students were highlighted for their project based sustainable lessons. Buell Central has also been asked to present their project based sustainability efforts at the Denver Green School Conference May 2018. Many schools throughout the region have reached out to partner with their alternative campus. These efforts help students find an interest as well as a place to belong to.
Mario Bracamontes In The News:
Fueron nominados 8 educadores al premio LifeChanger of the Year
Eight PSJA ISD leaders nominated as LifeChangers of the Year
Mr. Bracamontes is the principal at Buell Central DAEP. His vision for helping students succeed is a true testament of a principal in his caliber. The school is working towards innovative ideas of sustainability. He is giving our future adults the skills and knowledge base to have a better world. Mr. Bracamontes' hands-on and working ideas for a more attainable future is what these struggling students need to become true productive members of our tomorrow's society.
Remarkable! Mr. Bracamontes is doing a wonderful job with all the students at Buell Central School. I have never met a principal that does more for their students than Mr. Bracamontes with his plethora of ways to reach the “unreachable”. He is bringing at the forefront the sustainability goals to engage our students and make them better persons in school and society with a positive progress in: attitudes, responsibilities, and life-long skills.
Mr. Bracamontes is a definite life-changer; furthermore, I guarantee that it would be hard to find anyone that puts as much time, resources and love into their students, community, or staff as he does. I cannot thank him enough for what he has done for our students and the bright future that lies ahead of them. Mr. B, I salute you for all your unwavering commitment to student excellence and life changing skills. You are loved and cherished by all your students, community and staff. Blessings!
I was born in Spain and I have only a few months as construction teacher at Buell Central High Scholl but from the beginning I realized that this is a different school with a very engaged staff.
Mr Bracamonte gave me the opportunity to teach here with one only goal: give a second chance to our students to follow the correct path again. His leadership is very different to other principals but he has got succeed where others maybe could fail. It´s necesary a lot of energy and a strong management to be a good principal and Mr Bracamonte is one of them, maybe the best one that Buell HS and his students could have.
Mr Bracamontes created the Second Chance Initiative scholarship to reach out to At-Risk students and to give an opportunity to newcomer students to experience community engagement in college readiness to gain their self-esteem and confidence. I was impressed by his altruism in promoting social justice issues in a broader level and engage many students who are marginalized in the school. I consider this initiative as a tangible step where he created a framework and a forum for marginalized students to get involved and it has a lasting impact. This is very important since our school is home to a diverse student population.
Mr.bracamontes has helped me becamone a better person by giving me a chance to be in actevities i never though i would be and he always moticvates me to the right thing.
My principal Mr. Bracamontes has a compassionate heart for our students and advocates strongly for them He desires to take our students to a higher level by exceeding the normal norms recognizing their potentials and helping them to become overcomers against all obstacles. When it comes to innovation he wants the richer learning experiences for our students to works toward reducing the negative impact of economic disadvantage on their educational outcome.
Mr. Bracamontes is an amazing Educator!! It has been a pleasure and honor to work with him and the students at Buell during the 2017 South Texas Youth Conservation Corps Internship summer program at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Mr. Bracamontes is a model Principal and innovator in sustainability. He has been a great example to the students and they have taken his lead to be productive conservation stewards.
I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Mario Bracamontes while he was a principal and school leader at my former campus and witnessed first hand the remarkable work and impact he had on the lives of not only his students, but his staff and community. Mr. Bracamontes united staff members with community leaders as well as students to create a strong respectable learning environment for all. He is an excellent role model for struggling students and for those who otherwise would not have had a light through their darkness as he exhibits success and how a positive attitude and dedication can change their future. He offers support to his students no only on campus, but also takes a deep interest in the lives of his students outside by helping them find avenues to allow them to shine at their strengths. We need more leaders like this in the world of education and I believe no one is more deserving of this award than this remarkable individual.
Mr. Bracamontes, is a very dedicated and humble person.
Excellent leadership has the interest of the student
Humble person
Mario Bracamontes is simply the most inspiring leader out there. He genuinely cares about his students and staff. Kids love him and are naturally drawn to him. He will do anything for his kids. He changes their lives and gives them a chance at a productive future. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to work with him for the two years he was at Liberty Middle School. Thanks, Mario! You are truly deserving of this nomination and recognition.
I have known Mr. Mario Bracamontes for two year and always admired his dedication and hard work as well as his excellent work ethic. He is a great team player and always gives his best on any project. Mr. Bracamontes has a pleasant personality and outstanding customer service skills. On a personal level, Mr. Bracamontes is kind, generous and a true friend; nobody can ask for more from him. I have learned through the two year of knowing him that I can always count on him and his friendship no matter what. I have no problem with recommending Mr. Mario Bracamontes for life changer of the year, and sincerely hope that he is awarded this title, as he has certainly earned it.
Truly displays his genuine love & devotion to all students in his presence.
As Administrative Secretary at Transportation Dept. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Mario Bracamontes for the last couple of years. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend Mr. Bracamontes for this award. Has proven to be a tremendous asset in our community. He has implemented plans and programs that will enrich the lives of our students. Also, his advice and assistance has been a great help to our students. It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendations for Mr. Bracamontes without reservation. Thank you,
Mr. M. Bracamontes as our principal and school leader has established several positive goals for not only the school but for our students and our district. By adopting the Environmental sustainability concept it has permitted us to integrate our TEKS objectives (in my case Science courses) using curriculum content and relating it directly with sustainability topics. Resulting in using Aquaponics, Hydroponics, gardening, recycling of different wastes and in the near future biodiesel susbstitute using vegetable oil. All this has opened our school to many institutions and an ample number of opportunities for our students. All in all these activities have produced a positive change in our students and hopefully will provide awareness as individuals for their future and that will end in benefits for the community as well. Thanks to Mr. M. Bracamontes.
Mario Bracamontes is totally amazing! He is a fearless leader (in a very positive way). He has completely transformed Buell Central, an alternative disciplinary campus where one would fear going into that school. Before he became a principal, we (principal's) were taken to that school and walked around by security guards to make sure we were not in danger of being hurt. Mr. Bracamontes was a teacher there and at that time had stories to tell of how he had to stop fights on a daily basis. These fights involved weapons that students would sneak in. If students got through the day, then that was enough for teachers and admin. Learning was a commodity. Now, students are engaged in learning at all times. They are getting the hands on learning needed to keep them engaged. Rice University, UTRGV and other universities, are visiting the campus, trying to copy the work being done here. He has been the founder of many teams, activities that the district, and even region had never had take place. These to include, a basketball tournament amongst other RGV DAEP schools, Mock team to participate in UIL competitions, the first robotics team for an alternative campus that went to Nationals, the first green alternative school in the nation. I can go on and on, but all I can say is that he
We here at Buell Central High School we have seen a positive change in our students due to the implementations brought forward by Mr. Mario Bracamontes. He has transformed the school from the traditional way education that has always been conducted to a more hands on style, where the students are deeply involved in growing food (Plant Life) and other hands on projects with solar panels as well as converting a go-cart to solar power.
The students at our campus are students that have been expelled from their high schools, however, here at Buell Central HS these students have been given a second chance. These students have taken advantage of their second chance and they have flourished.
Our students are learning more with this approach than they have ever learned before. Our state mandated test scores are proof positive of this fact.
Mr. Bracamontes has always put our students first and has given the teachers the freedom to teach in a style where our students can succeed for today and the future.
Mr. Bracamontes is an exceptional person, committed to his students and their families, always struggling to get them out ahead, supporting and motivating them at all times, thus achieving a positive change in their lives.
Mr. Bracamontes, is not only a great principal and boss he is a great person. He is always willing to go the extra mile to help those in need. He has done many great things at our Campus and help mentor and guide others to do the same. I honestly believe he is an extremely worthy candidate since his heart and motives are in the right place.
I've had the pleasure of working with Mr. Bracamontes and he is a very hard working and goal oriented. He is very compassionate towards his students, and he does not give up on any of them. I know he has made a positive impact on each and every student by continuing to push them and encourage them to stay in school.
I have had the pleasure of knowing him and working with Mr. Bracamontes for about four years now and I have seen the way he has changed the lives of the kids as well as the school. He has done so many wonderful things for our community as well. Mr. Bracamontes is such a wonderful role model for these kids, he will go above and beyond for anyone especially for the kids. He is very compassionate about what he does and what he believes in. I truly believe that he is the best candidate for this award. I wish that there were more people out there like Mr. Bracamontes who cares the way that he does, he has been such an inspiration and blessing for us all.
Mr.Bracamontes is a very-hard working, goal-oriented, compassionate, humble, simple and loving principal. He will never give up on a student. He has made a big positive impact on each of our student's life by pushing and encouraging them to stay focus in school.
Working under the Supervision of Mr. Bracamontes and alongside him has enabled Buell to bring New,Positive Visions and Goals to students. This has enabled many students to diversify and find alternatives from their previous life's path on to more Positive Productive futures!
Many sustainability activities are taking place at Buell Central, But the one sustainability goal that is near and dear to my heart is Good health. In this fast pace world of highly processed convenience food, where heart disease and diabetes is the leading cause of death among Americans, It's great that Mario Bracamontes is encouraging students and staff to plant fresh produce, allowing them to see, some for the first time that food actually grows in the ground, hydroponically, and can be grown in towers. Students are trying new vegetables, and watching the growth process. Students are also learning about Organic foods, the dangers of GMOs, and the importance of good nutrition. Students are learning that plants purify our air and bring many other health benefits. When you have good health you have everything. This type of experiential education is vital to all Americans.
I have known Mr. Bracamontes for many years now, and I can attest to the fact that this man works tirelessly to improve the lives of underprivileged children, as well as the community. His vision of bringing sustainability to the Rio Grande Valley has impacted the lives of many, who are becoming more educated and healthier. You could not choose a more deserving candidate for this prestigious award than Mr. Mario Bracamontes.
I have the pleasure to work with a unique human being. He is truly dedicated to provide healthier alternatives to our at-risk youth. Throughout the years as Mr. Bracamontes truly empowers and motivates in a unique way to out staff, parents, and students.
He:
Provides Different Learning Styles
Open Door Policy
Integrated Healthy Programs for different student personalities
Advocates for our students, parents, and staff
He is a working Ant
He is not afraid to make drastic changes
Goes the extra mile
Mr. Bracamontes, has made a tremendous amount of change in our students lives. Our campus is an alternative campus which
accommodates 100 percent at risk students. Mr. Bracamontes takes these students and shows them the potential they have. He involves them in sports like Rugby to give them a sense of purpose. He has touched numerous lives. I have seen first hand how most of these students come in and how they transform when Mr. Bracamontes works with them simply by showing that he cares. Not only has he transformed students but teachers and staff as well, by showing us that we should embrace those, that society has given up on. That everyone deserves a second chance.
