Six Killeen ISD Career Center seniors participated Tuesday in a national signing day for prospective teachers, symbolizing their plans to enter a critically important, often challenging profession.
Interim Principal Miguel Timarky and education teacher Tina Tamplen praised the students for choosing to pursue a complex, changing field that profoundly touches the future.
Tamplen introduced each student and described the field work they have accomplished in KISD elementary classrooms and lessons they have prepared and taught in culmination of the two-year program.
Shadowing elementary teachers and assisting in instruction gives the Career Center students a realistic look at teaching – both the successes and the disappointments.
Maya Adams is going to Stephen F. Austin State University.
“I would love to teach the new generation and help them learn and prepare them for the future,” she said.
Allie Aswell is going to Texas State University.
“I want to make a welcoming environment in my classroom and be there and show them different ways of learning and how they can have fun while doing it.”
Norelle Bristol is going to Central Texas College.
“I want to be a teacher because I love kids. Their minds are open. I have enjoyed going to the elementary school and seeing the experiences you hear about. It’s a good experience to be hands-on with (students),” she said.
Sydney Sica is going to Central Texas College.
“I just love working with kids and I want to make a difference in their lives. I have enjoyed working hands-on and doing my lesson with them.”
Abigail Jimenez is going to Texas State University.
“I want to be a teacher because I want to be able to inspire kids to reach for their dreams,” she said. “I enjoyed the hands-on experience and being able to actually work in a classroom and learn.”
Abbigail Watson is going to Angelo State University.
“Working with students and being a light to the students and giving them something to look forward to (is what I enjoy),” she said. “Some of them struggle and need that light. I want to be that support for them to keep going.”
