Teaching Journey Begins
Andrea Loera Valdez’s path to becoming an educator was not always clear. However, a high school internship at a local elementary school sparked her passion for teaching. Now a senior majoring in elementary education at NC State, Valdez, originally from Tarboro, North Carolina, discovered the joy of teaching early on.
High Demand for Educators
Graduates from the elementary education program at NC State enjoy a remarkable job placement rate, achieving 100% employment in the field. Valdez feels a profound calling to work with young students, emphasizing the significance of their first educational experiences.
“Elementary education is a student’s first impression of what school can mean,” Valdez noted. She believes that a positive introduction to learning can greatly influence how children perceive education throughout their lives.
Scholarship Support and Opportunities
Valdez’s enthusiasm for teaching led her to become an NC State Transformational Scholar, a program designed to support exceptional students from eastern North Carolina pursuing careers in education. This scholarship not only assists with tuition but also fosters leadership development and community engagement in Edgecombe County.
Her openness to new experiences has enriched her education. She noted that the courses, while challenging, prepare students for various scenarios they may encounter in the classroom.
Valdez explained that her studies include training in assessments, focusing on designing tests and evaluating student learning beyond traditional methods. These skills are crucial as educational priorities may shift, and teachers may find themselves in different districts or counties.
Specializing in Accessibility
Elementary education majors at NC State have the option to pursue an add-on licensure to support students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Approximately 25% of students in the program select special education as their focus. Valdez chose this path to make education more accessible for all students, which also qualifies her for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program that offers financial support and resources for professional development.
Valdez emphasizes the importance of flexibility for education majors, advising them to remain open to new opportunities that may arise during their studies.
Comprehensive Learning Experience
The elementary education curriculum at NC State incorporates a strong STEM focus alongside extensive field experiences. Students engage in math and science courses in their first two years before transitioning to instructional methods for various subjects during their junior year.
Currently, Valdez is concentrating on reading and writing instruction for fifth graders. She finds her coursework, especially in teaching reading, to be instrumental in addressing contemporary challenges in literacy education.
Hands-On Teaching Practice
Valdez is also applying her knowledge through a field experience at Combs Elementary in Raleigh, participating in immersive weeks where she engages fully in classroom activities. These experiences allow her to witness firsthand the various responsibilities of a teacher throughout the school day.
She recently led a vocabulary lesson where she adapted her instruction on the fly, incorporating a new Spanish word to enhance student engagement. This adaptability proved essential in ensuring her lesson was both effective and enjoyable for her students.
“I was glad that they were able to learn in a fun way,” Valdez said, reflecting on the positive interactions during her lesson.
Future Aspirations
Valdez’s journey through the education program has reinforced her understanding that teaching extends beyond lesson delivery. She recognizes the influence of external factors on students’ educational experiences, including family support and community resources.
After graduation, Valdez plans to return to rural eastern North Carolina to teach kindergarten, with a focus on nurturing confidence and building supportive networks for her students and their families. She aims to create an environment where students feel valued and connected to their community.
Source: NC State University
