LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Loretta Flores was nominated by a family member, Maria Teniente.

Throughout her years of teaching, Mrs. Flores has demonstrated a consistent level of commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere for students, specifically, special-education students, most of them with moderate to severe challenges. She encourages students to strive for and achieve educational levels that previously had seemed out of reach for them.

Before embarking on a teaching career, she was a nanny to a family of professionals who entrusted their newborn twins to her. Today, these young adults are in college pursuing their own careers.  This heart-felt love for children compelled her to further her own education beyond high school, acquiring a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Special Education.  Her love for teaching and her proven ability to make a beneficial difference has resulted in a lasting impact being made in the lives of students and parents. Her adherence to a high moral and ethical standard has endeared her to countless students, parents, peers and school administrators. 

Initially, she was named a Rookie Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2009 and a Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2010 and 2012. She received the Library Angel Award in 2012; Jump Rope Award 2013; Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, 2013; For the Love of a Child, 2013; and Teacher of the Year in 2014. 

Mrs. Flores has the inherent ability to positively add to the development of the school’s atmosphere. She encourages involvement by parents and her husband, Abel, in school events held throughout the school year.  Her most recent tribute as a Teacher was in 2016 as the National PTA Life Achievement Award winner, in which she was recognized, acknowledged and celebrated for her dedication to teaching.       

After an eight year period of teaching at Woodland Acres Elementary in Galena Park Independent School District, she was hired as ARD Facilitator for Pearsall ISD, just outside San Antonio. Since this move to her native San Antonio over a year ago, Mrs. Flores is now further utilizing her skills, abilities, and leadership within a broader area, namely the Pearsall Independent School District, wherein she visits several schools in this district.  A true educator in every sense of the word, Mrs. Flores continues to make a significant difference in her new community.  Her sphere of positive influence has expanded to include various schools, parents as well as students withinin the Pearsall District.  

"She exemplifies her own life goal as well as that of National Life, to 'do good in the communities in which we live and work,' and thereby make a difference," said Teniente.