La Joya, TX - La Joya ISD is proudly celebrating school social worker Laura Aguilera, who was recently named the 2026 Kathy Armenta Texas School Social Worker of the Year - a prestigious statewide honor recognizing excellence in school-based social work practice.
Aguilera - a social worker at La Joya ISD’s College & Career Center - focuses on addressing the underlying causes of attendance challenges, behavioral concerns, and academic disengagement. Through crisis response, mental health support, family outreach, and campus collaboration, she helps ensure students receive the social and emotional support necessary to succeed.
For Aguilera, this state-level recognition brings visibility to work that is often foundational - yet unseen.
“Social workers respond to crises, support mental health needs, conduct home visits, collaborate with educators, and connect families to resources,” shared Aguilera. “Supporting students’ emotional well-being is part of protecting their right to educational excellence.”
Her words echo La Joya ISD’s Achieving Excellence Together 2030 Strategic Plan, particularly its commitment to Thriving Students - ensuring that every child is safe, supported, and equipped to succeed.
Presented at the Texas School Social Workers Conference, the recognition comes from the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. Recipients are peer-nominated and selected through a competitive review process that evaluates professional impact, leadership, and service to students and families across K–12 settings.
No stranger to accolades, Aguilera’s recognition follows another distinguished honor. In November, she became the first graduate student from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to receive the 2025 Stacie McGee Student Scholar Award. Together, these accomplishments reflect her dedication to both professional preparation and applied practice within the field of school social work.
“When we invest in licensed school social workers, we strengthen prevention efforts, improve engagement, and support long-term graduation outcomes,” Aguilera said. “Attendance patterns often signal unmet needs. Early intervention prevents long-term crisis.”
This award also carries historic significance for La Joya ISD, as well as the Rio Grande Valley. Aguilera is only the second school social worker in district history to receive this distinction, following Claudia Gonzalez, who earned the honor in 2016. Together, they remain the only recipients of this award from the Rio Grande Valley.
“This distinction reflects more than individual achievement,” said Dr. Derek Little, Chief of Academics & School Leadership. “Laura’s recognition at the state level affirms what we already know - that the work happening within La Joya ISD to support the whole child is exceptional. Her dedication to advocacy, prevention, and meaningful intervention exemplifies our commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
La Joya ISD proudly congratulates Laura on this well-deserved honor and celebrates the lasting impact of her work on students, families, and the entire school community. Through her service, advocacy, and unwavering belief in the power of relationships, Laura continues to elevate the role of school social work - not only within La Joya ISD, but across Texas.
Her achievement stands as a testament to La Joya ISD’s enduring belief in meaningful support and the transformative power of education.