Fort Bend ISD (Nov. 20, 2024) - The district’s November 2024 PAC Award winner is Crockett Middle School math teacher Rigoberto Miller who is described by his peers as “a quiet giant who never brags.”

Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith, FBISD Board Vice President Rick Garcia and several district leaders walked in to surprise Miller during his algebra class today, playing “Eye of the Tiger”- his test day hype song for students.

“That’s my walk-up music too,” Dr. Smith told Miller, who appeared stunned by the award and the well-wishers who filled his classroom.

“You are a teacher who makes all his students a priority,” Dr. Smith said. “I can feel the energy. I see their smiles. You help them discover their best selves. They are very impressionable at this stage, and they need people like you to help them figure things out and work through all the growth opportunities available to them.”

Miller said he couldn’t quite grasp why he won the district’s PAC Award which is presented to those who exemplify the highest levels of Professionalism, Accountability and Communication.

“This is a shock,” he said. “Thank you everybody. I love teaching. I love my job.”

One of the people who nominated Miller was Crockett Middle School Special Education Department Head Cynthia Fernandez whose class is across the hall from Miller’s room. She said he comes across the hall regularly to encourage and engage her students.

“He wants them to believe they can create futures for themselves, and he wants them to believe they can contribute,” she said, adding that Miller never mentions all the good deeds he does.

Miller is a well-regarded Houston artist who shares his talents with his “neighbors” in the Special Education class. He recently led them in creating a painting.

“I just enjoy working with them because they’re precious,” he said. “They’re beautiful kids. They humble me. They remind me I’m not just here to teach kids who want to learn math but to help as many kids as I can.”

Miller’s math students excel in the subject matter, posting a 100 percent pass rate on STAAR tests last year with 81 percent scoring at the mastery level. They describe him as a mentor who challenges them to make the world around them a better place and to be an advocate for themselves and others.

“He’s always willing to go the extra mile,” student Natalee said. “If a student is ever struggling, whether they think they can do better or not, he’s going to help them because that’s the kind of person he is. That’s why he’s getting this honor.”