San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) is putting a local success story to work in its classrooms. Sylvia Marquez, 19, who earned an associate of arts in teaching from Travis Early College High School, started her fifth day as a clinical teaching intern at Schenck Elementary on the district’s third‑grade wing.
Marquez, who grew up in the district, says she has dreamed of teaching since childhood. After graduating from Travis, she enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio to complete a bachelor’s degree in education and equity, a bilingual education certificate, and to begin full‑time work as an instructional assistant.
“Grow‑Your‑Own” teacher pathway
The teaching associate program at Travis, launched for the 2022‑23 school year, was created to address SAISD’s ongoing teacher shortage and retention challenges. The curriculum was built in partnership with UT‑San Antonio, Texas A&M‑San Antonio and Alamo Colleges, and received seed funding from City Education Partners for its first two years.
Students in the program earn 60 college credit hours, a paraprofessional educator certificate, and extensive field experience—far more than the typical 16‑hour requirement for an associate degree in teaching. The design allows graduates to work as instructional aides while completing their bachelor’s degrees and certification exams.
From student to mentor
Six Travis graduates, including Marquez, have returned to SAISD as “emergent educators.” Two are placed at Schenck Elementary, two at Longfellow Middle School, and two at Hawthorne Academy. The district pairs each emergent educator with a model teacher in a “high‑impact demonstration” system, turning select classrooms into open labs for peer learning.
Principal Virginia Parker of Schenck Elementary explained that observing seasoned teachers in real‑time helps new educators translate best practices to their own future classrooms. Marquez’s mentor, Denise Campos, allows her to move beyond observation; Marquez is already pulling struggling students aside for extra support.
Balancing work and study
Marquez will continue full‑time work at SAISD while attending UT‑San Antonio two days a week. If she passes her certification exams, the district expects she could lead her own classroom within two years.
The program reflects SAISD’s broader investment in local talent pipelines, aiming to keep promising young educators within the community they serve. By offering hands‑on experience, mentorship, and a clear path to certification, the district hopes to improve student outcomes and retain teachers in high‑need areas such as dual‑language and special education.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
