UTA alumna earns top Arlington ISD honor
If there’s one place University of Texas at Arlington alumna Heaven Tello is meant to be, it’s in her classroom teaching math. She works tirelessly to make it a place her students can not only learn, but also feel safe and supported.
One of her favorite days is Teacher Appreciation Day, celebrated annually on Tuesday of the first full week in May during Teacher Appreciation Week. The first thing she sees is her classroom door covered with thoughtful notes from her students.
Tello’s dedication to her students and the support she provides fellow eighth-grade math teachers at Barnett Junior High School were major reasons she was named this year’s Arlington ISD Junior High School Teacher of the Year.
“Math is where my heart is. I wanted to be a teacher because I had a really good math teacher and I wanted to be that for students, so they actually enjoy math class and not see it as a chore,” Tello said. “I just love being in the classroom. I love those ‘aha’ moments with students. I wouldn’t trade my job or my school for anything in the world since I know I’m making a big impact here.”
When she was named teacher of the year at her school, Tello didn’t think she had much of a chance at being named teacher of the year for the entire district, especially one as large as the Arlington ISD.
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Part of the submission process, candidates provide letters of recommendation. Tello said she chose to have her students write hers because she felt there was no one who could better explain why she should be recognized. She believes those letters helped set her apart.
Tello has taught in the Arlington ISD since graduating from UT Arlington in 2021. In five years of teaching, she has served as a department head for two years, worked on the district curriculum team for three years and sponsors the National Junior Honor Society at Barnett.
For Tello, building relationships with her students is the most important part of teaching—and the biggest reason she enjoys being in the classroom. She said students who may not initially see the value in learning math eventually come to class motivated to work hard and make her proud, reflecting the kind relationships she builds with them.
“I treat my students like people and not like they’re kids. From the first moment I see them, I never treat them differently,” Tello said. “I respect my students, and they respect me. We have conversations that help us understand each other and I give them grace.”
Tello said the foundation her teaching style came from preparation she received at UTA’s College of Education. She credits her success as a teacher to a program that was hands-on and gave her a strong sense of community.
Her advice to future teachers—because she knows the profession is not easy—is to balance the workload and building relationships with students. She said those connections can provide a sense of satisfaction and help keep teachers motivated to stay in the classroom.
“As long as my students leave with something at the end of the year, it’s better than nothing. I’m satisfied knowing all my students leave with at least a lesson in life,” Tello said. “I’ve might’ve not been able to make all my students mathematicians, but beyond math, I know I made that student feel safe and happy—it’s all that matters to me.”
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.