FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 5, 2019
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Manuel Alvarado knows he is making a difference as a teacher.
He hopes his selection as Tarleton State University’s “We Teach Texas” grant awardee will help him make a difference as a principal.
We Teach Texas is a statewide campaign of The Texas A&M University System that encourages teaching as a career. A&M System’s 11 universities produce more fully certified teachers than any other system in Texas.
Awarded to one student from each institution in the A&M System, the grant will pay for Alvarado to get his master’s degree in educational leadership and, ultimately, his principal certification.
A sixth and seventh grade math teacher at Fort Worth ISD’s International Newcomers Academy, Alvarado teaches solely English language learners.
“It’s a special school that requires a lot of work because we get students from all over the place,” he said. “Some students are refugees, some come with no knowledge, some come with a lot.
“As a teacher in that environment, I am trying to be impactful and let them know we care. It’s very challenging, but very rewarding at the same time.”
He noticed that several other teachers at his school were either working toward an advanced degree or already had one.
“I decided I want to be a principal, to see what it’s like on that side,” he said. “As a teacher, I know I am making an impact in the classroom. As a principal I feel like I can make more of an impact for teachers andstudents.”
In fact, he has already begun sharing his expertise with his INA colleagues as an instructional coach.
The grant means Alvarado will be viewed as a standout educator, according to Dr. Randall Bowden, Educational Leadership and Technology Department head at Tarleton.
“He is looked at as an up-and-coming leader in his district,” Bowden said. “Somebody who is going to be homegrown, who will be able to attend to the needs of the district, that are specific to the district.
“His focus is to serve high-need areas, so it gets in the spirit of the grant, which is to work with underrepresented populations, to provide them with opportunities they may not otherwise have.”
Alvarado grew up in Van Horn and moved to Fort Worth in 2004 with the goal of earning a degree in architecture. While grinding through math and civil engineering courses, he worked at Meadowbrook Middle School in Fort Worth where he found his love for teaching. Now in his fourth year at INA, he has transitioned into part of the campus leadership team.
He said the grant will make his goal of becoming a principal more easily achievable.
“I’ve been paying out of pocket and it becomes a little difficult to pay for school,” he said. “It takes a toll.”
As one of the We Teach Texas grant winners, Alvarado will attend the Chancellor’s Summit for Teacher Education in San Antonio, Sept. 22 and 23, where he will have the opportunity to network with other leaders in Texas education.
“I’m excited to talk with others about what they are doing in their classrooms,” he said, “what kind of leadership styles they have and the pedagogy behind them.”
Besides speaking well for educators like Alvarado, Tarleton’s participation in the We Teach Texas program is good for the university.
“We’re able to participate with other top institutions in the state to provide the highest quality education for principal certification possible,” Bowden said.
Already working toward his master’s, Alvarado said the grant has him thinking of even bigger things.
“Now that I’m in school I’m thinking of pursuing a doctorate,” he said. “I might as well go all the way.”
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
Contact: Phil Riddle, News and Information Specialist
817-484-4415
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