(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Thinking about a career in education? Texas is third in the nation in employment for hiring paraprofessionals, and Texas State Technical College is working to meet the demand with its Education and Training program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than 55,000 jobs nationally through 2028, with growth being affected by rising student enrollment.

“The number of schools, especially charter schools that are opening up, is large,” said Myriam Aguila, TSTC Education and Training department chair. “This growth increases the number of job opportunities and options for our graduates.”

Aguila went on to explain how Education and Training prepares students for a career in the education field.

“We receive a lot of positive feedback from teachers who our students work with about their commitment, enthusiasm, creativity and preparedness,” she said. “This says a lot about what they learn during their time in our program.”

What is the length of the program?

Education and Training offers two pathways. A student can earn a certificate in four semesters or an associate degree in five semesters.

What can students expect when they graduate?

Students in the program will graduate with, on average, 500 hours of experience in the field. With this type of immersion, graduates are well trained and prepared to manage the everyday duties of a classroom. Many of these graduates are hired before they even graduate at Head Start campuses or elementary schools where they are completing their apprenticeships.  

What skills do students learn in Education and Training?

In this program, students will receive specialized training in early childhood development, bilingual education, general education and special education, and will learn about instructional practices and effective learning environments, child growth and development.

They will also receive hands-on training by creating and developing instructional materials and by completing a practicum, which gives students field experience at local school district classrooms.  

What types of technologies are used to learn these skills?

Education and Training students have access to classrooms and labs equipped with the necessary classroom tools such as paper rolls, cutters, laminating and binding machines, poster printers, and supplies such as crayons, markers and craft scissors.

They also focus on technology in the classroom that helps push science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, so they also have tablets that they use as learning and teaching tools, a green screen and a three-dimensional printer.

How do these skills prepare a student for the workforce?

With more than 50% of a student’s training focused on technical, hands-on learning, they are prepared and confident to lead a classroom. They enter the workforce familiar with what to expect, great knowledge, a well-rounded skill set and are ready to work.  

What types of positions can a graduate from this program obtain?

Students who successfully complete the program can immediately begin their careers as paraprofessionals.

Graduates from this program have been hired by local school districts such as Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, NINOS Head Start and local day care centers.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Alyssa Parker spoke about overcoming her struggles and getting a second chance in her speech as salutatorian of the Texas State Technical College Vocational Nursing class of Fall 2019.

She spread her message during the program’s Vocational Pinning Ceremony hosted Thursday night at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center.

“Trust yourself, have confidence in yourself, and push yourself through the bumps in the road. Because you can come back stronger,” she said. “I am proof.”

This is the Harlingen native’s second time around in the Vocational Nursing program, having missed the mark the first time by only a tenth of a point.

“We were struggling to make ends meet, and I was working a lot,” said the 24-year-old. “It was hard to juggle everything and keep up with studying. But we’re in a different place now, and my significant other was able to take the responsibility of being the sole provider so I could keep my dream of becoming a nurse.”

Her dream is now a reality.

She will graduate from the Vocational Nursing program next Friday, but she has already accepted a position with the Neuro Med-Surg unit at Valley Baptist Medical Center, where she has previously worked as a certified nursing assistant.

“It is all so surreal. I never expected any of this to happen,” said Parker. “And I’m so thankful to my family, friends and instructors who made it all possible. It was a challenge, but they helped me overcome it.”

Sharing her sentiment was class valedictorian Sabrina Garza.

“It’s an honor being able to represent my class as valedictorian,” said the 21-year-old. “It’s been a lot of missed family time, studying and discipline. But it’s finally time to turn the page to a new chapter.”

Like Parker, Garza has dreamed of becoming a nurse since childhood, having grown up around aunts and cousins who are in the profession.

“This pin is a symbol of our hard work. It shows that everything we’ve done has paid off,” said Garza. “It’s a great feeling, and I thank my family, instructors and God for making all of this possible.”

The pin that Parker, Garza and their 18 classmates received, along with the capping and candlelighting ceremony, symbolizes the passing of knowledge. It a rite of passage into nursing and stems from a tradition set by Florence Nightingale, a trailblazing figure in the profession and the founder of modern-day nursing.

The ceremony also included a blessing of the hands and benediction led by Pastor Danny Anderson of the Bridge-Rio Hondo Baptist Church.

“Our students work hard to get to this day,” said TSTC Vocational Nursing director Heather Sauceda. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for them, and we are very proud of them.”

As for Parker and Garza, they both plan on returning to TSTC to pursue an associate degree in registered nursing.

These 18 students will earn certificates in Vocational Nursing on December 13 during TSTC’s Commencement ceremonies at the Harlingen Convention Center.

The Vocational Nursing pinning ceremony is held twice a year during the Summer and Fall semesters.

For more information on the program, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/Nursing.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It was quite an experience for Pedro Casillas and more than 40 of his peers as they helped save lives in a mock two-vehicle accident during Extrication Day hosted by the Texas State Technical College Emergency Medical Services program.

“This was a great opportunity to practice what I’ve learned in the classroom,” said Casillas. “It was exciting to be able to showcase our skills to the local first responders who could hire us someday.”

Casillas, who works in beach patrol with the South Padre Island Fire Department, said he appreciates TSTC giving students like him this type of opportunity.

Extrication Day serves as training for EMS students to allow them to put their skills and knowledge to the test in a mass casualty incident drill while working with other first responders at the scene.

TSTC EMS instructor Adriana Contreras said Thursday’s drill marked one year since the program began hosting Extrication Day, and she has discovered that both new and returning students look forward to participating in it.

“This is a big step toward them starting their careers in this field,” said Contreras. “And from the beginning of the program to this point, it is so rewarding to see how much our students have learned and how much confidence they have gained in their skills.”

Contreras added that each Extrication Day opens up dialogue between emergency medical technicians and paramedic students who might otherwise never cross paths.

“A big focus on Extrication Day goes to making sure our students understand that EMS is a team effort,” she said. “Whether you’re fire, police or EMS, you must work with everyone to get the job done. So this helps them build a network.”

With teamwork being a top priority, TSTC receives help from local first responders across the Rio Grande Valley to bring a drill of this magnitude to life.

Participants included the TSTC Police Department, the city of Brownsville Fire Department, South Texas Emergency Care, and South Texas AirMed, which landed its helicopter for the event.

“We are so thankful for the amount of help and support we receive each Extrication Day,” said Contreras. “Our health care partners always help make this successful for our program and students.”

Contreras said drills like this give her students real-world experience so they are better prepared to enter the field.

“This event brings everything full circle for our classes,” she said. “It’s a culmination of everything our students have learned, from theory to technical, hands-on training.”

TSTC’s EMT and paramedic programs are currently accepting applications for Spring and Summer 2020 semesters. Information sessions are held every Tuesday on campus.

EMS is also offered at TSTC’s Abilene and Brownwood campuses.

For more information, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/EmergencyMedicalServices.