Beeville, Texas — Coastal Bend College proudly announces that Abbi Peña, Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene, Senior Clinic Coordinator, and CBC alumna, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Texas Dental Hygiene Educators’ Association (TDHEA) Procter & Gamble Teaching Excellence Award.
Each year, this award honors educators who demonstrate innovation, excellence in teaching, and a lasting impact on student success. Peña was nominated by Lynn Southerland, Director of the CBC Dental Hygiene Program, who praised her as a forward-thinking leader with unmatched dedication.
“Abbi doesn’t sit on ideas—she runs with them,” said Southerland. “You couldn’t ask for a more committed or driven faculty member.”
A 2012 graduate of CBC’s Dental Hygiene Program, Peña began her dental career at 19 as a sterilization tech, later working as a dental assistant and licensed dental hygienist. Her path also included a meaningful detour into public education, where she taught fifth-grade science at Schallert Elementary School in Alice, Texas.
“It was the best year of my life,” Peña said. “It was a great experience. I learned how to construct a lesson plan, how to be prepared ahead of time—and honestly, I feel like God put me there to build the foundation I needed for what I do now.”
That experience strengthened her ability to engage students, and approach every lesson with structure and care—skills that now fuel her success in higher education.
Peña is known for being a well-rounded educator who blends clinical expertise with compassion, motivation, and a commitment to staying current. She actively tracks legislative changes, adopts evolving technologies, and integrates industry updates into CBC’s curriculum to ensure students graduate prepared for modern dental practice.
Most recently, she completed a local anesthesia certification course in response to new legislation expanding the clinical role of dental hygienists in Texas. Her goal is to help bring that training to CBC students in the future.
“She’s constantly learning and adapting,” said Southerland. “She knows what’s coming down the pipeline, and she’s already thinking about how to implement it for the benefit of our students.”
Peña also brings a contagious energy to her teaching. She describes herself as a “cheerleader, motivator, and confidence booster,” and is known for creating uplifting, memorable moments that help students push through challenging times. Before her students took their national board exams, she surprised them with a spirited send-off celebration—complete with music, signs, and a dragon-shaped piñata.
“So I said, ‘Slay the dragon—like we’re going to slay the national board,’” Peña said. “Ninety percent of what I do is motivating. I try to help students see what I see in them—potential, strength, and commitment. They’re more capable than they realize.”
Now in her first full-time cohort cycle, Peña has worked with her current group of students since their freshman year. “They know my story, they know my family. My husband brings tacos to clinic,” she laughed. “We’ve built a sense of family—and that’s what I hope stays with them.”
“I aspire for my students to feel the same respect and admiration for me as I had for my dental hygiene instructors. They were exceptional dental healthcare providers who balanced grace and tough love when necessary. Educators like Mrs. Subert, Mrs. Lott, Mrs. Brich, Mrs. Kraft, Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Westmorland, Mrs. Arizmendez, Mrs. Weisan and Mrs. Tabb formed a remarkable team. I hope my students develop a similar sense of pride and commitment when they think of me, just as I did for my instructors at CBC. ”
Peña joined the CBC faculty in 2021 as a part-time instructor before transitioning into a full-time role. Today, she continues to lead with purpose, positivity, and a deep dedication to student success—whether she’s developing curriculum, mentoring future hygienists, or preparing materials late into the evening.
For more information about the Dental Hygiene Program at Coastal Bend College, visit https://www.coastalbend.edu/instruction/nursing_allied_health/dental_hygiene/index.html.