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Beloved South San Antonio ISD teacher dies at 30

Salena Rose Sanchez was a fourth grade teacher at Neil Armstrong Elementary School

Salena Rose Sanchez, 30. (South San ISD, South San ISD)

SAN ANTONIO – An award-winning South San Antonio Independent School District elementary teacher has died at 30 years old.

Salena Rose Sanchez, a fourth grade teacher at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, died on Jan. 14, according to an obituary.

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Sanchez taught at Armstrong for five years and was awarded the South San ISD Teacher of the Year in 2023.

Sanchez also received the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching, recognizing her as the best educator in South San ISD in 2024.

Sanchez formed the “Kind Kids Club” during her time at Armstrong. She was affiliated with “Cultivar” at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

“She absolutely adored her students and wanted them all to know she was so proud of them,” the obituary states. “While receiving treatment, her class received the perfect attendance award in honor of Ms. Sanchez.”

Sanchez obtained her bachelor’s degree in education from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and will be posthumously awarded a Master of Education School Leadership from Trinity University, according to the obituary.

The obituary stated her goal was to work in the curriculum and eventually become a principal.

“As an educator at Armstrong Elementary, Salena poured her heart into shaping young minds, inspiring both her students and fellow teachers with her passion for learning and her unyielding commitment to making a difference,” the obituary stated.

South San ISD sent the following statement to all employees district-wide:

“It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of one of our dear educators, Ms. Salena Sanchez.

Ms. Sanchez was a 2012 South San graduate and had a passion for teaching. After graduating from UTSA with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, she started her teaching career at Kindred Elementary, ultimately making Neil Armstrong Elementary her home. She loved being involved at her campus, as she led the Spelling Bee program helping students across all grades compete locally and district-wide. She also founded the Kind Kids Club, promoting kindness through acts of goodwill, including a canned food drive for the San Antonio Food Bank. In addition, Ms. Sanchez contributed to district-wide curriculum development, becoming a key voice in streamlining ELAR.

As part of the Cultivar Arts Integration Program, she worked with the team to design a mural reflecting the spirit of the school. Her dedication to the arts created meaningful experiences for Armstrong students. In 2023-2024, Ms. Sanchez was named Teacher of the Year by her peers, and later honored as District Teacher of the Year and recipient of the Trinity Award for her outstanding contributions to education.

Ms. Sanchez was one whose heart and spirit reached out to impact every one who crossed her path. She was an extraordinary teacher, a tireless leader, a role model for students and a perfect example of what kindness looks like.

Ms. Sanchez will forever be remembered for the impact she had at South San Antonio ISD and her devotion to her students and the South San community.

If you would like to pay your respects, Ms. Sanchez’s services will be held on Friday, January 24 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories, located at 700 SE Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78214. We ask that you please keep her family and friends in your prayers during this difficult time.”

South San ISD

About the Author
Madalynn Lambert headshot

Madalynn Lambert is a Content Gatherer at KSAT-12. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2024 with a degree in journalism and minors in global and science communication.

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