In an effort to enhance the public education of Laredoans, Dr. Michael A. Hochman, the local retina surgeon, and ophthalmologist, has endowed monies to fund The 19th Annual Rochelle and Sidney Hochman Educational Support Grant, available for local public-school teachers in both the Laredo Independent School District and the United Independent School District.
The United ISD winners for the 2020-2021 school year are as follows:
Elizabeth Grace De Luna United South High
Annette Gonzalez-Avila Colonel Santos Elementary
Alessandra Ivette Sandoval Newman Elementary
Graciela Ramirez-Herndon Matias de Llano Elementary
Maderlin D. Guerra United South High
Lisa P. Alaniz Bonnie Garcia Elementary
Tatiana Gonzalez, et. al. San Isidro Elementary
Alicia Cristina Solis Bonnie Garcia Elementary
Sonia Renee Alvarado Cuellar Elementary
Liz Adriana Garcia Fasken Elementary
Zulema Solis Nye Elementary
Erika E. Rojas Clark Elementary
Alicia E. Morales United High
Jessica Ontiveros Los Obispos Middle
A total of $5,000 in grants were awarded to United ISD teachers this school year. The endowment is designed to benefit the learning experience of Laredo students by providing teachers with an additional resource for classroom needs essential to the learning process.
In the first 18 years of the charitable grant, approximately 850 teachers were awarded grants in amounts varying from $100-$500, dependent upon individual classroom needs. The competitive grants are given to support Laredo public school classrooms in the form of supplies, equipment, and other supplementary teaching materials
Dr. Hochman is a medical doctor specializing in diabetic and retinal eye disease and cataract surgery in Laredo. He relocated from Boston to Laredo 22 years ago. Education has been an essential part of Dr. Hochman’s life, and he welcomes the opportunity to help others.
According to Dr. Hochman, “I established the grant many years ago because I wanted to help the local public schools. I, myself, was a product of public schooling, which of course played an integral role in my academic, professional, and personal success. I know that local funding is tight, so I’d like to do my part to help Laredo students get the best education possible. The children of our community represent our future and helping them receive the quality education they deserve creates a strong foundation for the continued success of Laredo. Since my mother was a public-school teacher, and my sister teaches as well, the importance of helping children in our community receive a great public education is not lost on me.”
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