Celebrating teachers at Molina High School

Dallas ISD teachers go above and beyond to educate all students for success, and the district appreciates their hard work—along with the broader Dallas community. Equitable, a financial services company, recently sponsored the Back to School Activation at Molina High School to honor and thank teachers for their unyielding dedication to students.

The luncheon took place at Molina High School’s cafeteria, as the company is sponsoring teacher-focused appreciation events for schools across the nation and selected Molina as the inaugural recipient in Texas.

“It’s personal because almost 18 years ago I was a teacher here,” Molina High School Principal Jacob Nunez said. “Teachers need to know that they’re supported. I need teachers to know that we care about them, and that’s why we’re here celebrating them today.”

Mark Ramirez, Dallas ISD’s deputy chief of school leadership and former Molina High School principal, attended the event and spoke about his experience as the school’s administrator from 2010 through 2015.

“As I go back and walk in this building and walk through these hallways, I remember that all the training ground for my current position learned it here,” Ramirez said.

The celebration featured a live mariachi, cheerleaders, a catered lunch for all teachers, giveaways, financial planning materials and more. Guest speaker Judge Hector Garza and motivational speaker Will Murphy also attended the event.

“We work day-in and day-out, always thinking about the students and making sure that we provide them everything they need,” said Maritza Abonza, a Spanish teacher at Molina. “It’s a tiring job and for them to take the time and spoil us like this is beautiful. The mariachis represent the culture that is within our walls at Molina.”