Texas A&M University-Texarkana teacher preparation candidates and Future Teachers Association members expressed appreciation to their cooperating teachers and mentor teachers this week for supporting them in the classroom and in their pursuit to become educators.
“Without these public school partnerships our students would not be able to see the practical application of the theory we teach them,” said Debora Shidemantle, director of the Teacher Preparation program at A&M-Texarkana. “We are grateful to the schools and the teachers for their continued support of our education students.”
A&M-Texarkana graduating senior Chelsea Tucker of Texarkana, Texas, said she has enjoyed her time as a student teacher.
“Lisa McEvoy, fourth-grade math teacher from Pleasant Grove Intermediate School, is such an inspiration to all teachers. She always has a kind smile and a kind word to say to her students and peers that helps them to see just how special they are,” Tucker said. “She motivates and empowers her students to become independent learners. Her students love coming into her classroom because they know that they are going to have fun while learning because her lessons are so engaging. I could not have picked a better teacher to spend my student teaching year with. Thank you, Lisa, for all that you have done for me and your students. You inspire me to be the best teacher I can be.”
Amanda Nix, a graduating senior from Wake Village, Texas, said her mentor teacher Kelsey Reynolds at Pleasant Grove Intermediate School has been an inspiration to her.
“Thank you for passing your knowledge on to me. I hope to be half the teacher you are. You’re an amazing mentor, teacher and friend,” Nix said.
Pam Bradford, principal of the Pleasant Grove Intermediate, said she enjoys having the student teachers on her campus.
A total of 32 students will be graduating from the Teacher Preparation program at A&M-Texarkana on Saturday, May 13.