Michelle Coffee and Amber Dill are the first two Nacogdoches High School students to earn their Educational Aide I certification while still in school.
The pair were presented with their certificates on Monday at the Malcolm Rector Center for Advanced Careers and Innovation. Michelle and Amber are set to graduate Friday with the Class of 2022.
The certification process has influenced Amber’s future plans.
“Before, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life,” she said. “Learning about child development and what it takes to be a teacher made me realize the type of impact you can have on students. These classes opened my eyes to a career that can be something I truly enjoy.”
The course work provided a practical impact for Michelle.
“The classes I took to earn this certification taught me a lot about how to work with children based on what stage of development they are currently in,” she said. “I have been able to take the skills I have learned and apply them in my job as a nursery worker.”
According to Texas Education Agency, the Educational Aide I certification process measures the following domains or competencies: planning, managing, and providing education and training services and related learning support services; exploring and understanding needed preparation for Education and Training careers; and participating in a field based internship that provides background knowledge of child and adolescent development as well as principles of effective teaching and training practices.
“When you stop and think about it, what our students can accomplish is remarkable,” said NISD’s Director of CTE Jacob Lusk. “We provided the program, but Amber and Michelle are the ones who took advantage of it.”
A student who completes the Educational Aide I certification, according to TEA, could work in a variety of occupations within an educational setting.
“In order to earn the Educational Aide I certification, students must take and pass a series of classes within the Education and Training Pathway, which includes, Principles of Education and Training, Human Growth and Development, and Instructional Practices,” said Carla Coffee, Michelle’s mother and the teacher in educational and training courses in Nacogdoches High School’s CTE department. “Instructional Practices is a double-block class that allows the students to get hands-on experience working with children in elementary and junior high schools as well as receiving instruction in the classroom.”
To receive the Education Aide I certification, students must be at least 18 years of age and earn a final grade of 70 or better in two or more Education and Training CTE Courses for three or more credits and be verified in writing by the Superintendent of the district where the credits were earned. One of the courses must be Instructional Practices or Practicum in Education and Training.
“This is a program that, as it gains traction and becomes more popular, has the potential for NISD to grow its own teachers, putting them onto a path to college and, hopefully, bringing them back after graduation to teach here at home,” said NISD Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo.
PHOTO INFORMATION: (From left) Deputy Superintendent Michael Martin, NHS senior Amber Dill, Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo, NHS senior Michelle Coffee, Executive Direction of Human Resources Harold Whitaker, CTE instructor Carla Coffee, Director of CTE Jacob Lusk.