Last August, Gonzalez began her clinical education training as a third-grade bilingual teacher at the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) Irving Dual Language Academy. She has since accepted a full-time teaching position at the academy.
Gonzalez credits UTSA with influencing her future education and career choices as she begins the next phase of her teaching career. She is especially grateful for the role the university's training program played in preparing her to become a teacher.
“I have had a mentor teacher since the beginning of this year that I have been able to go to for professional development,” Gonzalez said. “My mentor has coached me on preparing the classroom and setting expectations since the beginning of the year. I already have a sense of the routines and steps I need to follow to have a successful first year. So this will help her as a first grade teacher.
UTSA coursework also prepared Gonzalez for his current classroom practice. To become a teacher, it is important to pass the certification exam. UTSA provided Gonzalez with the support she needed to earn her teaching certification while earning her degree.
Key to Gonzalez’s preparation was COEHD’s Signature Residency Model. It provides a group of educational candidates with the opportunity to teach, learn, and interact with students, fellow teachers, and administrators. The goal is to make sure these future teachers are ready to lead their classrooms from the first day of school.
“In addition to the degree I earned as a bilingual educator, I took five certification exams,” Gonzalez explained. “UTSA offers practice exams and study sessions to help you earn your degree.The Academy of Teacher Excellence (ATE) and the workshops offered by UTSA supported me and helped me become an educator. It prepared me for the challenges and requirements I needed.”