Crystal Vasquez was a Cedar Hill High School student in the late 2000s when a program called “Ready, Set, Teach” piqued her interest in the teaching profession.
Her dreams of becoming an educator weren’t recognized immediately. The 2010 Cedar Hill High School Graduate worked in customer service and became a mother.
“The spirit runs very deep at Cedar Hill,” said Vasquez, who was part of the first class to graduate from Bessie Coleman Middle School.
On August 11, Vasquez will become a Kindergarten teacher at Waterford Oaks Elementary School – where she was a student in the early 2000s.
“Being a single mom, I didn’t think finishing my degree would be an option for me,” Vasquez said. “It shows my daughter that it’s never too late to accomplish your goals.”
Vasquez is working on completing her degree and obtaining teacher certification, while she’s the teacher of record, thanks to a CHISD program called “Grow Your Own.”
“Grow Your Own” gives paraprofessionals the opportunity to become the teacher of record, while they study. The district pays for the degree and certification, with the understanding that the teacher will continue to serve in CHISD for the next few years.
Two summers ago, Vasquez joined the Waterford Oaks staff as a Pre-K Aide, working directly with longtime educator Lacey Jacobs. Last spring, Vasquez and Jacobs were honored with a CHISD Honoring Our Outstanding Paraprofessionals Lead Educators and Administrators (HOOPLA) award
Vasquez specifically chose WOE thanks to her positive experiences there as a student.
“I saw the old yearbook from when I was a student there,” Vasquez said. “Even though it’s been so long, it feels like it was yesterday. It’s nice to be back.”
Once at WOE, she learned a great deal from Jacobs, who encouraged her to pursue her dream of becoming a classroom teacher.
This year, Vasquez will have nine of her former Pre-K students in her Kindergarten class.
