Yale honors New Tech Odessa teacher with award
![Ms. Nunez wearing a Yale Crew t-shirt]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1756932984/ectorcountyisdorg/prym4grszq0ykzymzwua/JNunezYaleteacheraward.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1756932984/ectorcountyisdorg/prym4grszq0ykzymzwua/JNunezYaleteacheraward.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1756932984/ectorcountyisdorg/prym4grszq0ykzymzwua/JNunezYaleteacheraward.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1756932984/ectorcountyisdorg/prym4grszq0ykzymzwua/JNunezYaleteacheraward.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1756932984/ectorcountyisdorg/prym4grszq0ykzymzwua/JNunezYaleteacheraward.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1756932984/ectorcountyisdorg/prym4grszq0ykzymzwua/JNunezYaleteacheraward.jpg","width":2200}])
Jennifer Nuñez was nominated by former student now attending the Ivy League school
It is no surprise to see New Tech Odessa math teacher Jennifer Nuñez wearing a Yale University shirt on this occasion. Yes, this was one of ECISD’s districtwide College Days. More significantly, she was just selected as a recipient of a 2025 Yale Educator Award.
The award, sponsored by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions, recognizes educators from around the world who inspire and support their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence. Nuñez was nominated by Adrian Rodriguez, a Class of 2024 NTO graduate, who entered Yale this fall. Those Yale Class of 2029 students were asked to nominate outstanding educators who have deeply impacted their lives and his nomination earned Nuñez this remarkable recognition.
“I didn’t even know this was a thing. It’s really cool!,” said a surprised Ms. Nuñez. “Adrian continues to remind me why I am a teacher, even from Connecticut!”
This year, Yale received 302 nominations representing 38 states and 22 countries, and of those only 61 teachers and 26 counselors were selected to receive the award. The school’s press release stated a committee of Yale admissions officers reviews the nominations and during the process was constantly reminded of the unique and critical role that exceptional educators play in shaping their students’ futures by encouraging them to pursue their goals.
It is not the first time Adrian chose to highlight Nuñez’s influence on him. Last May, he selected her as his favorite teacher for the Awards for Excellence dinner stating, “I can say for certain she has changed my life for the better,” and referring to her as “a second mom at school” in his graduation speech.
Ms. Nuñez, who taught Adrian in Advanced Placement (AP) Precalculus and AP Calculus, said the influence goes both ways. “He made me a better teacher, too, because he was so smart and so advanced that I felt like I was always trying to step up my game,” she said. “I had to work hard because he deserved that from me, he deserved the best so he could make those 5s on the AP tests and he could get into Yale.”
In addition to a congratulatory letter, each Yale Educator Award winner also receives an engraved desk set.
In the press release, the Yale Admissions Office attributes the exceptional quality of the university’s student body to educators like Jennifer Nuñez and the other recipients of the 2025 Yale Educator Award, who shape their students long before they attend Yale.
Above: Adrian Rodriguez and Ms. Nuñez at the 2025 Awards for Excellence awards ceremony.