A&M-CC Momentum Wave Among 30 A&M System Structures to be Lit Blue for World Teachers’ Day
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Blue lights will once again shine bright on Texas A&M University System campuses across Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 5, in recognition of World Teachers’ Day. This year’s celebration is themed, “Teachers at the heart of education recovery” regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 11 universities in the A&M System, the RELLIS Campus in Bryan, and the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center Dallas campus will illuminate 30 iconic buildings and landmarks in blue Tuesday night. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will celebrate World Teachers’ Day by illuminating the famed Momentum Wave sculpture on Ocean Drive. The Island Campus will also affix blue ribbons in prominent locations.
World Teachers’ Day is a prime opportunity for TAMU-CC to recognize the challenging work that teachers do daily.
“On World Teacher Day, and every day, we encourage the community to consider the contributions teachers have made to provide remote learning, support individual students and vulnerable populations, re-open schools, and ensure learning gaps are mitigated,” said Dr. David Scott, TAMU-CC College of Education and Human Development Dean.
Sarah Rincon ’18 has been a teacher at London Elementary School in London ISD for three years; she taught fifth grade for a year and has been a first-grade teacher for the past two years. Rincon said she was inspired to become a teacher by the example set by a teacher she had in the seventh grade.
Teaching does not end at 3 p.m., nor does it end when your students move on to the next grade. Our students are our students forever.
Sarah Rincon '18
“I adored her. She was so kind, genuine, and her love for teaching was so inspiring. Fast forward many years, and I was an undecided college major,” Rincon said. “I knew I wanted to do something to contribute to my community, and I had just had my first son. I knew that I wanted to help shape his generation into great members of society who will do big things.”
For Rincon, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from TAMU-CC, teaching is more than just her job.
“Teaching is helping that one child who so many have given up on. It is loving a sweet child who may only be loved at school,” Rincon said. “Teaching does not end at 3 p.m., nor does it end when your students move on to the next grade. Our students are our students forever.”
I’m glad I’m receiving the knowledge and high-quality preparation at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi that will ultimately guide me to success in my future classroom.
Melany Solis ‘22, environmental science major with a concentration in education
Melany Solis ‘22 is a TAMU-CC environmental science major with a concentration in education; she is also a student teacher at West Oso Middle School in West Oso ISD and plans to teach AP Environmental Science after graduation. Solis is one of 24 Robert Noyce Teacher Scholars, a cohort of students recruited to become middle school and high school teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM.
“Teachers mold the minds of our youth; they have such a large unspoken contribution to the development of society, and so, I’m happy to see that teachers get to have a day of celebration,” Solis said. “I’m grateful for the experience and opportunities that have been granted to me, along with the scholarship. I’m glad I’m receiving the knowledge and high-quality preparation at A&M-Corpus Christi that will ultimately guide me to success in my future classroom.”
World Teachers’ Day was conceived by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in 1994. The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements and draw attention to the voices of teachers who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.
“We hope everyone takes notice and thinks about how critical teachers were not only to their own lives, but also to our collective future,” said Elaine Mendoza, of the Texas A&M System Board of Regents. “The Texas A&M University System is proud to graduate more fully-certified teachers than any public university system in Texas and, most importantly, recognizes educator preparation as one of the most significant contributions we can make to our great state.”
Graduates from education colleges at Texas A&M University System campuses are highly sought-after because they are so well prepared, said Chancellor John Sharp.
“Our graduates are sought after by school districts all across Texas because they know our students are getting the tools they need to be ready on Day One in the classroom,” Chancellor Sharp said. “We prepare teachers to be able to make the world a better place, one child at a time.”
Visit https://www.facebook.com/tamusystem on Facebook or Twitter to see all 30 A&M System buildings and landmarks lit up in blue.
