Texas A&M System's Universities Recruit Talented Teachers Same as Athletes

A total of 102 outstanding students from around the State have been recognized as The Texas A&M University System's Blue Chip Teacher Recruits for the 2002-2003 school year. These students entered A&M System universities during the 2002-03 school year in order to study to become teachers.

"The A&M System universities recruited these students because of their talent and interest in becoming teachers. We're committed to making sure that outstanding students have the opportunity to answer their calling to become public school teachers," said Dr. Bill Reaves, the A&M System's associate vice chancellor for public education, "By encouraging smart, enthusiastic individuals to become teachers, we are ensuring that future generations of Texans will have the best education possible."

The Blue Chip Teacher Recruit program is part of a recognition program associated with the A&M System's Regents' Initiative for Excellence in Education.

The A&M System's universities, including Texas A&M International University, have committed to increasing the quantity and quality of the teachers graduated. To achieve this, the A&M System universities are actively recruiting highly qualified candidates who are interested in becoming teachers in several high-need fields, including science, math, special education, bilingual education/English as a Second Language, technology and foreign language.

"It is a pleasure for us to welcome these new teacher recruits to our University and to help them to realize their dream of becoming teachers," said Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, dean of the TAMIU College of Education.

TAMIU Blue Chip Teacher Recruits and their sending school district or community college are:

Bertha Borrego-Gonzales, graduate of Laredo Independent School District; Alicia Morales, graduate of LISD; Laura Garcia, graduate of Zapata County ISD; Myra Magana, graduate of United ISD; Rebecca Ipina, graduate of United ISD; Leticia Craig, graduate of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD; and Lora Burleson, Bonnie Villarreal, and Mayra Cervantes, all transfers from Laredo Community College.

For more information about the teaching career, contact the TAMIU College of Education at 326.2420. Registration for the Spring Semester will be held Friday, Jan. 10, 2003 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Classes will begin Monday, Jan. 13.

Additional information about The Texas A&M University System's efforts to recruit, prepare, and keep teachers is available at http://partnerships.tamu.edu. Information about becoming a teacher is available at http://texasteach.tamu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu