2024 Recipients of Senator Judith Zaffirini Teachers' College Student Loan Debt Grant Program Named at TAMIU

The Thanksgiving season will see five Laredo educators have an extra reason to be thankful -– all were named recipients of college student loan debt grants through a program established by Carlos Zaffirini, Jr. honoring his mother, Dean and State Senator Judith Zaffirini.

During a reception held Friday, November 15 at Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, the 2024 recipients of The Senator Judith Zaffirini Teachers' College Student Loan Debt Grant Program were named. 

Senator Zaffirini shared her thoughts on the day’s joyous occasion. 

“Awarding grants to help teachers pay their college student loans always is inspiring. It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize and support outstanding men and women who devote themselves to preparing our children and grandchildren for a better future.

“I’m so grateful to my son, Carlos Zaffirini Jr., for establishing and funding this meaningful annual project in 2017 and for naming it in my honor. It’s his way of thanking those who made a difference in his life,” Senator Zaffirini said.

The honorees, recognized for their outstanding dedication to Laredo students and their institutions, are as follows.

Dr. Rosamaria Peña, Laredo College:

Dr. Peña is an LC professor of Psychology/Sociology.  She is committed to sharing her professional expertise in clinical and counseling psychology and her deep love for education, faith, and family. Though her parents did not complete their primary education, they instilled in all their children the belief that college was an essential rite of passage—a goal achieved through their unwavering sacrifice, hard work, and prayer. She now carries those lessons forward, passing them on to her children and students, viewing education as both a shield against ignorance and a powerful tool for justice. She considers teaching at Laredo College a blessing that allows her to give back to her community.

John Roycroft, Laredo Independent School District:

From 2008 - 2018 Roycroft served at Raymond and Tirza Martin High School, in the roles of In-School Suspension teacher and Career and Technology Education Business teacher. He developed essential classroom management skills while fostering students’ career readiness through business education. In 2018, Roycroft transitioned to J. W. Nixon High School, serving as both a Business Teacher and Drivers Education Teacher until 2023 and preparing students for professional certifications and life skills. He joined the Hector J. Garcia Early College High School in 2024, continuing as a CTE Business Teacher and Drivers Education Teacher and acting as UIL Coordinator, further sharing his leadership abilities through extracurricular activities that foster student engagement and competition. 

Gabriela Flores Casso, St. Augustine High School:

Gabriela Flores Casso has served as a teacher in Laredo for the past 20 years teaching  Reading and Spanish at all levels. Her true love is Art and she left teaching during the Pandemic to pursue a degree in Fine Arts at Texas A&M International University. After degree completion, she joined the St. Augustine High School faculty, sharing her passion for art with freshman students. She proudly sponsors upperclassmen art students who compete at the state level through the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.  Flores Casso is a compassionate and nurturing teacher who guides freshmen and facilitates their high school transition. She serves as a freshman class sponsor and is closely involved in their spiritual formation through religion and retreat programs. Flores Casso strives daily to support St. Augustine’s mission "to develop the whole person, instill Gospel values, inspire a love of learning, and uphold academic excellence in a nurturing environment."

Dr. Jack Byham, Texas A&M International University: 

Dr. Jack C. Byham is an Instructional Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). He received his B.A. in 2005 from Hiram College in Hiram, OH, and his Ph.D. in 2014 from Michigan State University. At TAMIU he teaches courses in American and State Government, Ancient and Modern Political Philosophy, and for the Master of Arts in History and Political Thought program. His research interests include the history of political philosophy, American and comparative politics, economics, and religion. 

Patricia Aguero, United Independent School District: 

Aguero teaches at Lamar Bruni Vergara Middle School.  She has taught 8^th grade STEM for two years and 6^th grade Exploring Science. She has also taught 6^th grade Science for 12 years.  She has previously worked as a teacher aide at Laredo Independent School District and as a paralegal for Sames and Werstak and Jones, Payne, and Blanchard.

Each recipient of The Senator Judith Zaffirini Teachers' College Student Loan Debt Grant Program receives $2,500 to help reduce his or her college student loan debt. To qualify, teachers must have taught in Laredo for at least five years, have a college student loan debt of at least $5,000, and be selected by their institution, based on program criteria. The Laredo program was launched in 2018 and expanded to southeast Austin in 2019. Participating institutions select their respective recipients each year. 

Registration for Wintermester and Spring 2025 classes at TAMIU is underway online via UConnect. To learn more about TAMIU’s Registration processes, visit the dedicated Registration Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/registration. 

More on the University’s story is available at tamiu.edu and on the University’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.