The Marble Falls In - dependent School Dis - trict Board of Trustees celebrated an array of achievements and dedi - cated individuals in Octo - ber, highlighting the com - mitment and community impact of staff, students, and teachers across the district.
GEM Award
The Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award went to Ellie Rios, bilingual reading specialist at High - land Lakes Elementary, who was honored with the district's "Going the Extra Mile" award. Known for her dedication, Rios has previously been nominat - ed for the Pura Vida GEM Award, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families she serves. In her role, she leads the Newcomer Program at Highland Lakes Elemen - tary, which supports bilin - gual students new to the United States, providing additional academic and emotional guidance. She has been pivotal in helping students acclimate to their new environment while fostering a loving atmosphere that encourag - es growth and resilience. The reading special - ist's efforts also extend to supporting bilingual teachers, facilitating cur - riculum planning, and or - ganizing literacy nights to engage families directly in students' learning jour - neys. Her compassion and commitment to her school community inspire every - one around her. Marble Falls ISD is proud to have Ellie Rios on our team, where her work continues to make a lasting impact.
