Shaping the Future Through Education
Nov. 4, 2025
In honor of both American Education Week and International Education Week, Nov. 17-21, we’re highlighting Dallas College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, a program helping build a pipeline of teachers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
One of those future educators is Shantina Webb, a current student pursuing a B.A.S. in early childhood education. Shantina started her career in education as a paraprofessional in 2017. Her motivation: Making a difference in students’ lives.
“I’m passionate about encouraging students to develop a growth mindset and helping them overcome the obstacles that come their way,” Shantina said. “It’s truly heartwarming to watch students who struggled at the beginning of the year make incredible progress and reach milestones, big or small, by the end of the school year. That transformation is the most rewarding part of education for me.”
When her school district partnered with Dallas College to create a pathway from paraprofessional to teacher, Shantina decided to take the next step in her career and earn her degree and teacher certification.
She chose Dallas College’s B.A.S. in early childhood education because she said it’s both affordable and accessible compared to other programs.
Established in 2021, the program graduated its first cohort of teachers in 2023 and continues to prepare skilled teachers for all levels of education, from early childhood to PK-12.
The curriculum includes a yearlong residency that gives students firsthand classroom experience, preparing them to make an immediate impact once they graduate.
“I appreciate the multiple opportunities for hands-on experience, such as classroom observations and leading lessons,” Shantina shared. “The feedback I receive from these experiences helps me sharpen my skills and continue growing into the kind of teacher I aspire to be.”
Another benefit, Shantina mentioned, is learning from professors and fellow classmates who all share a passion for shaping and inspiring students.
“This program is helping me prepare to become a teacher by connecting me with amazing professors who have extensive knowledge and real-world experience in education,” she said. “They provide not only valuable information about effective teaching practices but also guidance on what it truly means to teach with purpose and heart.”
Shantina added that her classmates have also played a big role in her growth.
“Everyone in my classes comes from different backgrounds and cultures, which makes our discussions rich and engaging,” she said. “It reminds me of a real classroom setting full of individuals who are unique in their own ways but united by a shared passion for learning. We all have the same goal of becoming teachers who can shape and inspire future leaders, and that sense of community and purpose has been truly meaningful to me.”
- Programs and Degrees
