![\"Education](\"http:\/\/news.tstc.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/TSTC-EduTraining-SkillsWinners.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEducation category contestants Mariela Aguirre and Miguel Hernandez both tied for first place, and Samantha Gutierrez received second place in the recent competition.<\/p>\n
The Education and Training students earned their spot by creating individual lesson plans and applying them to TSTC\u2019s NINOS Head Start class.<\/p>\n
Aguirre, who is the mother of a three year old, created a lesson plan titled, \u201cThe Life Cycle of a Frog,\u201d and said she felt more prepared than ever because of her experience with children. She is also a former nanny.<\/p>\n
This was her first time competing with SkillsUSA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI prepared by testing the material on my son and assessing his reactions,\u201d she said. \u201cThe courses I\u2019m taking here at TSTC also played a huge role in my preparation. I was confident going in because of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each student had the opportunity to prepare their lessons plans beforehand. Hernandez created a lesson plan focused on the seasons of the year, while Gutierrez\u2019s lesson concentrated on objects that sink or float.<\/p>\n
Hernandez, who hopes to someday become a principal, created a dance for the children so they could easily identify and remember the seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom inspired my lesson plan with her Zumba,\u201d he said with a laugh. \u201cThe children really enjoyed it and were engaged and by the end of it they were able to identify all four seasons,\u201d he added proudly.<\/p>\n
All three students agree that competing with each other can be intimidating, especially because they have become close in their SkillsUSA journey, but their goal is to help each other bring home the gold and earn a spot at nationals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may not all be able to go to nationals, but hopefully at least one of us makes it,\u201d said Gutierrez. \u201cOur goal is to represent TSTC and our program well, gain experience and learn from each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aguirre, Hernandez and Gutierrez will be joining 75 other winners at the SkillsUSA state competition.<\/p>\n