Texas A&M University Kingsville

KINGSVILLE (News Release) — The Texas A&M University-Kingsville chapter of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) recently attended the TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit in Round Rock.

While at the conference, members participated in competitive events designed to offer future educators authentic opportunities to measure their creativity, skills and initiative against high standards and against their peers from around the state.

Three education majors from Texas A&M-Kingsville competed including: 

• Kylie Valenta, a freshman from Sinton-elementary interactive bulletin board and public speaking

• Natalie Pittman, a freshman from Bishop-public speaking

• Pittman and Isabella Perez, a freshman from Bishop-elementary interactive bulletin board.

Valenta and Pittman qualified in public speaking and advanced to compete at the Educators Rising National Conference in Washington D.C. in June.

“Being able to qualify for nationals as a freshman and in the first year of our chapter helps set the bar really high for our future students,” said Kim London, MBA, assistant director for student recruitment and outreach for the College of Education and Human Performance.

“The impact of the experience these students will have connecting and competing with other students from all over the United States will be life-changing and will allow them to widen their lens on the endless opportunities that will be available to them upon graduation.”

TAFE is a statewide co-curricular career and technical student organization created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession. The conference gave the 3,400+ future educators the opportunity to meet others from around the state with the same interests, gain an understanding of what it takes to be a successful college student and learn the skills necessary for becoming a successful educator.