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Teacher of the Year! His dream came true - and now he inspires the community


Esteban Mireles{ }went from janitor to Teacher of the Year. (SBG Photo)
Esteban Mireles went from janitor to Teacher of the Year. (SBG Photo)
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SAN ANTONIO - From custodian to a middle school teacher. It all started with Esteban Mireles' dream of being in a classroom. The Northside Independent School District employee is on a mission to inspire.

"I have always had a passion [for] working with youth," said Mireles.

He's a seventh-grade history teacher and coach at Zachry Middle School. It's a dream going back to when he was in school.

"I had some great teachers going up that impacted my life, and I knew I wanted to do my best to have that same impact on others."

A journey – Mireles said, was not easy. He started at Northside ISD as a custodian at Connally Middle School. At the time, he was taking classes at Northwest Vista College before going to UTSA.

"It was pretty difficult balancing going to school full time – taking four to five classes – and then not getting home until about 12 or 12:30 in the morning," explained Mireles.

The San Antonio teacher said his faith played the biggest part in his journey, along with the support from his family.

"With God, all things are possible."

Mireles was named Northside ISD'S 2023 First-Year Middle School Educator of the Year.

"It was surprising. I wasn't expecting it. That was also a blessing. I'm very grateful for the people who gave me that award," added Mireles.

Mireles hopes his story will inspire others never to abandon their dreams.

"I think about the difficulties. I think about the trials and the tribulations when they come. Those are opportunities not to knock you down but to make you stronger."

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