Dr. Cecilia Silva is a different kind of professor. 

Silva is known for preparing students to teach in schools in need of teachers for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. She will retire at the end of the semester.

“She’s very passionate; her passion has translated to me,” said Sam Mosely, senior education major Sam Moseley. “She has made me a more culturally aware teacher and individual.”

Moseley is a student teacher this semester and is taking the lessons he has learned from Silva into the classroom.

Silva emphasizes being involved in the community. She is involved with Local Global Leaders, a program under TCU’s Discovering Global Citizenship program.

In one of Silva’s projects, she worked with TCU students and hosted a dinner for refugee families. The families were part of the International Newcomer Academy, a school that serves students who come to the United States and whose first language is not English.

Dr. Mary Patton, dean of the College of Education, said Silva is humble and hardworking.

Silva was awarded the Dean’s Teaching Award in 2014 for her service to the College of Education. She said it is a wonderful bookend to her career at TCU. She has been at TCU for 20 years, and she has been involved with ESL education for 40 years.

“I am very appreciative of my students and colleagues for that award,” Silva said.