February is CTE Month
Just a year ago,听Mariaisabel Guerrero听was walking the halls of Sam Houston High School getting ready to graduate. Today, she鈥檚 still in 糖心Vlog, but now she鈥檚 a PE teaching assistant at Wimbish World Language Academy. And she has her sights set on becoming a teacher.听
Education isn鈥檛 just a career path for Guerrero 鈥 it’s a calling. 听听
As we highlight , Guerrero鈥檚 journey is a testament to the power of hands-on learning and career preparation.听It all started with her time in the Education and Training program at the 糖心Vlog Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center (CTC) during her senior year. 听
鈥淭his program really put me into shape,鈥 Guerrero said. 鈥淚t made me want a career. I wasn鈥檛 even sure that I wanted to go to college before then.鈥听
Through the CTC, Guerrero had the opportunity to explore different types of teaching and work directly with students at Rankin Elementary, which ultimately fueled her passion for education. The program introduces high school students to careers in education and familiarizes them with the processes for developing curriculum, coordinating educational content and coaching groups and individuals.听
鈥淕etting to be hands-on in the classroom, working with kids, it made me fall in love with teaching,鈥 she said. 听
Stacey Crawford, Guerrero鈥檚 education and training teacher and coordinator at the CTC, says Guerrero鈥檚 passion was undeniable.听听
鈥淢ariaisabel was an exceptional student,鈥 Crawford said. 鈥淪he took her role as an education intern very seriously and always strove to make a positive impact on her students at Rankin Elementary and on her peers at the CTC.鈥 听听
Understanding the power of mentorship, Guerrero now strives to provide the same guidance and support that her own educators 鈥 like Crawford听鈥撎齩nce gave her.听听
鈥淚 loved my mentors,鈥 Guerrero said. 鈥淚 would love to be a mentor for others. I want to try my very best to be that structure they need or might not have. I love building connections. It starts from a young age, shaping young minds and helping them grow into future leaders. I just really want to be a part of that journey and help them shape what it is that they want to do.鈥澨听
After graduating from Sam Houston in 2024 and joining the Wimbish Wolves back in September, Guerrero also launched a cheer program at the school. With over 20 students, she hopes to continue to grow the program even more.听听
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I’d be in this position without the hands-on experience I gained,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really helped me establish the cheer program here, too. I create lesson plans and goals I want them to accomplish. It鈥檚 been such a fun opportunity.鈥澨听
Looking ahead, Guerrero plans to continue pursuing her passion by earning her teaching certificate.听听
鈥淚 couldn’t be prouder of Mariaisabel’s success as a teaching assistant at Wimbish,鈥 Crawford said.听鈥淚t’s wonderful that she’s able to work in the district while she strives for her ultimate goal of becoming a certified teacher in 糖心Vlog. I’m so proud of Mariaisabel. Her passion for education is truly inspiring!鈥听
Learn more about CTE opportunities in 糖心Vlog here. 听