Texas Teachers | Alternative Teacher Certification Program : Success Story by Jennifer Arcangeli

Success Stories

Where are you originally from?

Deer Park, TX
Where did you go to college and what did you study?

UHCL - Anthropology
Do you have children?

one-year-old son
nine-year-old stepdaughter
Do you remember your favorite teacher? What made them special to you?

Mrs. Coley, my junior high art teacher. She understood me as an individual, and was able to motivate me and care very much for her students.
What did you do before teaching?

Retail.
Why did you get into teaching?

A passion for education and the ability to help kids.
What surprised you the most when you started teaching?

What some of these kids deal with in their lives away from school and how very tenacious these kids are.
What is the biggest challenge for new teachers?

Learning to balance personal life and work.
How long do you think it takes for a new teacher to really get their hands around teaching?

It seems like a process that never truly ends, but with the help and support of a strong administration and staff I would say about one year.
What do the kids teach you?

To be able to laugh at myself and to have an open mind.
What's the funniest thing that's happened to you in the classroom?

"Pie Your Teacher Day!" The math class who raised the most money got to throw a plate of whip cream in all of the math teachers faces.
Why did you choose the Texas Teachers program?

Cost was great
Knowledge & helpfulness of staff
Convenience of program
Apply Now