When these students started their education at Howard College, they had dreams of becoming teachers themselves. They were part of the first round of students participating in the 3 year model of getting a degree and ultimately becoming Texas Certified Teachers. With their own motivation and goals, they all worked together to accomplish their personal dream of teaching. Now that they have completed the program, it’s time to check in again and see how they are doing now.
Name: Belen Olvera
Where are you teaching now? Lamesa South Elementary
What grade and subject? Kindergarten
What led you to begin the TechTeach program? I had enough credits to begin the program and I had experience with children.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
It has helped me be prepared for a first year teacher and I am more organized.
Name: Matthew Carrillo
Where are you teaching now? Goliad Elementary
What grade and subject? 4th grade Math
What led you to begin the TechTeach program? I was long term subbing in a second grade Math class as an uncertified teacher at Marcy when my superintendent asked me if I would be interested in this program to get my teaching certification.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
My experience at Howard College helped me because I took on a pretty big workload before I got into the Tech Teach Program to get the classes that I needed to get into Tech. So that helped me because it trained me for the rigorous schedule that I was going to have. Also the good habits and good values that the professors at Howard instilled in me. Lastly I want to give a big shout out to Mrs. Miller and thank her for everything she did for all of us.
Name: Medina Bancroft
Where are you teaching now? Moss Elementary
What grade and subject? 1st Grade Math
What led you to begin the TechTeach program? My dad called me about a “golden opportunity” to expedite my bachelors degree. I knew before I even graduated high school that I wanted to be DONE with college as soon as possible, so this educational path seemed like the best fit for myself.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
I’m not shy about letting people know that if I had endured this program at any other location, I would not have performed as well. My site coordinator (Melissa Miller) with Howard went above and beyond meeting any needs myself or my peers had. She went as far as meeting myself and a peer in the late evening to help us work through some obstacles we were facing in a class we were taking at the time. She helped anyway possible; financially, educationally, and emotionally (giving us slack OR support when needed). I accredit my success in the program to the support Howard offered through such an amazing site coordinator.
Name: Selena Vallejo
Where are you teaching now? Moss Elementary
What grade and subject? 2nd Grade Life Skills
What led you to begin the TechTeach program?
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher but I was just getting my basics until I figured out where I wanted to go to school after I had my associates. Luckily, for me, my advisor at Howard College told me about the TechTeach program and once I had all the information, I decided it was what I wanted to do.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
Howard College provided me with classes that benefited not only my future classes, but also helped me pass my content exam to become a certified teacher. I’m truly grateful for my experience at Howard College!
Name: Shannon Aguirre
Where are you teaching now? North Elementary, Lamesa, TX
What grade and subject? 5th ELAR
What led you to begin the TechTeach program? I began the Tech Teach program after researching classes at Howard College, when I decided to go back to school. I had previous credits toward education, and always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. The accelerated program of TechTeach was the biggest plus for me as a wife and mom of 2 who was ready to begin my career as soon as possible. I also loved the fact that, with this program, I would be working and gaining experience on the actual campus with which I would ultimately be employed as an educator.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
Howard College helped me in my accomplishment of becoming a teacher by providing relevant courses that prepared me for my certification exams and the education field. It also helped me to feel supported throughout the journey by providing such a great Site Coordinator, Melissa Miller.
Name: Pamela Meraz
Where are you teaching now? Lamesa South Elementary
What grade and subject? 2nd Grade ELAR
What led you to begin the TechTeach program?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher and I wanted to spend time student teaching in the area I grew up in.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
My experience at Howard prepared me for the time that I was going to spend preparing lessons for the students as well as teaching me how to manage a classroom.
Name: Yvonne Acosta
Where are you teaching now? Lamesa North Elementary
What grade and subject? 4th Grade ELAR
What led you to begin the TechTeach program?
I became interested the program once I realized that there was a fast tracked way of obtaining my degree. Also, I really liked knowing that the district in which l lived was a TECH TEACH partner.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
It has been a while since I attended Howard College in Lamesa. But I really like that Howard College was in my town of Lamesa and I was able to take courses via online all while juggling a family at home!
Name: Tera (Coley) Stanley
Where are you teaching now? Washington Elementary
What grade and subject? Third Grade Math
What led you to begin the TechTeach program?
I had been pursuing a teaching degree, but because I am a mom the idea of having to drive over an hour to class and then back was not appealing to me. When Howard College announced they were partnering with Tech to include the Tech Teach program, I had many friends and family inform me of the program. When looking into the TechTeach program and learning that you student taught under a teacher for a year, I thought how enriching would that be to be able to learn and observe from a teacher all year long. You get to learn from other instructors that have been in the education program that want to help you grow as a teacher so that by the time your starting your own first year of teaching you are already going in with a whole extra year of experience. Anyone who is pursuing a degree in education would be drawn to this type of program.
How has your experience at Howard College helped you in your accomplishment of becoming a teacher?
My experience at Howard college allowed me to gain knowledge from teachers, that would have taken me years to learn. Through Howard college I was able to grow a support group with others that were also in the program and with our amazing Site Coordinator Mellissa Miller. It was from the knowledge that was given to me from our site coordinator and the support of the other students that I am the teacher I am today. I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support and knowledge that was provided to me, and none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for Howard College.