After successfully getting a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctoral Degree and then teaching at Sam Houston State University for 20 years, Kay Raymond, Ph.D, associate professor of Spanish and director of undergraduate studies in the foreign languages department continued her success with an honorable award.
The League of United Latin American Citizens awarded Raymond with the Community Amigo Award 2009 as Educator of the Year.
When she was awarded Educator of the Year by LULAC she did not expect it, “no, not at all,” Raymond said and with a chuckle, said “they did not even mention my name at the previous LULAC meeting.”
Raymond has been teaching at SHSU since 1989 and has been a member of LULAC for six years.
Here at SHSU she teaches Spanish and Latin American Literature.
“I really enjoy the students at Sam, they are the nicest I have ever taught,” Raymond said.
She also has worked with the International Hispanic Association and been their advisor since 1990.
“I found out about the award at the Banquet, I didn’t know I had received it until they called my name,” Raymond said.
John Escobedo, president of the Huntsville LULAC chapter said, “Every year we recognize people who do things for the community, especially the Hispanic community.”
The LULAC chapter has been in Huntsville since the 1980’s. Their annual scholarship banquet was held in February.
The purpose of the LULAC organization is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.
Raymond, originally from Chicago, brought an impressive educational background with her when she joined the SHSU faculty.
She received her Bachelor’s degree from Radcliffe Institute in Romance Languages and Literature.
Radcliffe Institute for advanced study is a program offered by Harvard University.
She then received her Master’s degree from Brown University in Hispanic Literature, and then later went on to earn for Ph.D. at Indiana University in Spanish.
“When I got my Ph.D. jobs were tight, I taught in Alabama, and that motivated me to teach where Spanish was really relevant, so I wanted to come to Texas,” Raymond said.
What really motivates Raymond is the students,
“I really enjoy seeing them become proud that they have learned something,” Raymond added.
Escobedo spoke very highly of Raymond and her efforts with the students.
“She is very involved with our youth, always doing volunteer work. She is a mentor to high school students,” Escobedo said.
“She is very deserving of this award and it shows in her activities with the students.”