(HARLINGEN) Estephanie Dorado is currently attending Texas State Technical College pursuing an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The Harlingen native has an impressive 3.5 grade-point average and is expected to graduate Spring 2018.

Dorado said she first discovered her love for teaching in elementary; she was intrigued. It then peaked in high school when she took her first course in Education. She said she believes teachers have the power to make a difference in a child’s life, and she is excited to begin her career, doing just that.

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation I plan to do what I love: teach. I hope to get my bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Texas at San Antonio. No matter what happens, I know that I will learn new things each and every day.

What is your dream job?  My dream job is to teach. I really want to make a positive difference in the lives of my prospective students. I believe that as teachers, our responsibility is to mold and shape the minds of our students, and greatly impact their lives. Even if I only impact the life of one student, I’ll know that all the hard work I have done is worth it.

What has been our greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC is being on the dean’s list. I have spent countless hours doing homework, studying and attending tutoring to make sure I succeeded in my courses. I’ve done what is necessary to get where I need and want to be. I worked really hard to achieve this, and in the end, my hard work paid off.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? The greatest lesson I have learned is that it takes a lot of self-determination and dedication to achieve a goal. I have learned that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to as long as I believe in myself and take action.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? The person who has most influenced my success is Teresa Cuellar, an adjunct instructor in the Education and Training program. She has been an excellent role model in my life and has inspired me to be the best teacher I can be in and out of the classroom.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? I want to advise future TSTC students to make their education a priority and to manage their time accordingly. I also encourage them to communicate with their professors and take advantage of the great resources the campus offers to help them succeed.