Teaching Assistant Carmen Gonzalez received more than a box of chocolate and roses from the staff at Tijerina Elementary School when she was surprised as HISD’s Employee of the Month for February.

“We are proud to have Ms. Gonzalez her at our campus,” Principal Alesander Olaizola Fernandez said. “She is a great asset to our staff and even more valuable in the classroom working with our students.”

Gonzalez has worked at Tijerina for the last 38 years as a teaching assistant and is known to be one of the first staff members to arrive early in the mornings to open the campus.

“I wouldn’t choose to work anywhere else in the district,” Gonzalez said. “I’m very thankful to have gained all of my experience at the same campus and I’m very thankful for this recognition.