March 28th, 2013
Two Texas State profs honored by Online Schools Texas

STAFF REPORT

Online Schools Texas has named Texas State professors Jesús Francisco de la Teja and Yasmine Beale-Rosano-Rivaya as two of the Top 14 Hispanic Professors in Texas.

De la Teja, a Regents’ and University Distinguished Professor of history, focuses his research on the northeastern frontier of Spanish colonial Mexico and Texas through the Republic era. Gov. Rick Perry appointed de la Teja to serve the first-ever two-year term as the State Historian of Texas in 2009.

“It is always a gratifying surprise to receive an unexpected honor,” said de la Teja. “I have been blessed over the years to receive the confidence of colleagues, students and the various professional and community groups that I deal with, and this latest recognition serves as an acknowledgment of those efforts and a stimulus to continue my efforts.”

Beale-Rosano-Rivaya, an assistant professor of modern languages, has received the Texas State University Excellence in Teaching Award. She earned her doctorate in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from the UCLA in 2006.

“I was very surprised and humbled by this recognition,” said Beale-Rosano-Rivaya. “Texas State is a Hispanic Serving Institution, and I design my courses to address the issues and needs of the Hispanic community.”

The mission of Online Schools Texas is to challenge the idea of one-size fits all when it comes to education. The organization provides information and an open-minded philosophy about other alternatives. The goal of the top professors lists is to highlight post-secondary educators who have been awarded recently for excellence in the classroom, on campus and/or in the community.