Nanci Flores Balances Family, Work and Studies To Answer the Call To Teach

Nov. 10, 2026

Between raising three children, working full time as a paraprofessional at Trinity Basin Preparatory and pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Nanci Flores has mastered the art of balancing competing priorities.

When she graduated high school, Flores had envisioned a different future. “I really wanted to be an architect,” she said. But after an internship, she discovered she didn’t like that field at all.

Then, she was invited to become a Sunday school teacher. “I liked the planning and working with students. The kids were happy and I was happy, and I felt like I was getting called in that direction,” she said.

Answering the Call

A chance meeting with her former sixth-grade teacher, who was now a principal, inspired Flores to apply for a paraprofessional position. Today, Flores considers Miss Lara to be a mentor.

Eleven years into work as a teacher assistant at Dallas Independent School District, and then at Trinity Basin Preparatory, Flores realized she wanted more — to lead a classroom of her own.

Through a presentation from her school’s Human Resources department, she heard about a program with Dallas College where she could earn her bachelor’s degree while continuing to work full time.

Through its Grow Your Own Paraprofessional-to-Teacher partnerships, Dallas College’s School of Education collaborates with school districts and charter schools to create an accessible and affordable pathway for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers. These partnerships allow them to earn their degree while continuing to serve in their schools.

Through dedicated cohort support, individualized academic planning, success coaching and ongoing collaboration with school system partners, Dallas College helps the students overcome barriers and successfully transition into certified teaching roles. These efforts strengthen local educator pipelines while helping school systems develop and retain talented educators from within their own communities.

“I chose Dallas College because it was so welcoming. I felt like I was part of a family and they were giving us all the information and tools we needed to succeed,” Flores said.

Her experience at Dallas College has lived up to those expectations. “Once I joined the cohort, I felt like they were there to support me at all times,” she said. “The faculty enjoy teaching. They’re so full of energy, and they make it fun.”

Students in each cohort become close, supporting one another and holding classmates accountable, making it more likely they will complete their degrees.

For Flores, the biggest challenge going back to school was how to balance work, school and family. She has three children attending three different schools — middle school, elementary and preschool.

Balancing It All

“It’s been a little challenging with their activities,” said Flores, explaining that her middle schooler alone is involved in cheer, orchestra and Girl Scouts. “They keep us busy.” And that’s after a full day of work.

Flores currently works in a blended pre-K classroom that includes some special education students. “I give my job 100% when I’m at work. When I go home, I’m with family, serving them dinner and checking homework. Then, I tell my husband, ‘Tag, you’re it,’ and it’s time for me to dedicate myself to my homework.”

One rewarding aspect of working with students, while training as a teacher, is that Flores is able to immediately apply what she learns.

She said it was eye-opening to see all the work teachers do outside of the classroom. “For example, before working in a school, I didn’t really think about the importance of building positive relationships with families to work together to meet students’ needs and help them grow,” she said.

Inspiring Discovery

Flores, who began her studies in the spring of 2024, hopes to graduate with her bachelor’s degree next fall. She would like to lead a preschool classroom where she’ll help build a strong foundation for students by shaping their first experiences with school.

“I want to build a positive culture in my classroom, where students enjoy learning,” she said. “I want to make a meaningful impact in their lives and ensure they feel loved, safe, valued and cared for. It is important that I plant a seed in each of them to develop a love for learning and discovering new things.”

As she works toward graduation, Flores hopes her journey encourages other paraprofessionals to take the next step. “It’s never too late to follow your passion for education. There are so many children waiting for someone to believe in them, guide them and have a positive impact on their lives. It only takes one teacher to shape a perspective on learning,” she said.

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