Dallas College

Student Experience: Cesar Quintero

"When I reflect on my program of studies, I realize that this program laid the foundation for me, a Hispanic male graduate from the Dallas Independent School District, to take the second step towards the career that fulfilled my passion of educating human beings. The Associate of Arts in Teaching program was a program that was certainly accessible, personal, and academically enlightening.

"Thanks to my course of studies at Cedar Valley, I was able to move onto Texas Tech University and graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies. In addition, the foundation I received from the teaching program has served as support in my recent graduate studies in Educational Leadership at the University of Texas at Arlington. This effective foundation has granted me the ability to educate scholars in Dallas County – the place I call home.

"As a product of this program, my learning has led me to become certified as a Bilingual, ESL, Personalized Learning and Gifted and Talented Educator for the State of Texas. I have been honored with the recognition as the Star Teacher of my campus for the 2019-2020 school year, recognized in Cedar Hill ISD as one of the educators in the district with the most student growth in the tested subjects of the Math and Reading State Assessments of 2018-2019 and have been recruited by district executives to take part in several executive committees within my district.

"Within all these recognitions, I have had the opportunity to receive the most valuable lesson that I carry from my experience in the program, which is the blessing of having discovered my purpose – my why. I am thankful to be able to live it daily. Because of my personal experience, I highly recommend this program to any student who wishes to make an effective, long-lasting impact in our society through the most important avenue which is our youth. This program prepares you to pay forward to our community the gift of a meaningful education that a group of individuals once gifted to us."


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Valerie Estridge

Valerie K. Estridge

Private Kindergarten Teacher Dallas
“In a nutshell, the most important thing I learned at Dallas College was respect: respecting the path others choose to take for their lives; respecting someone's time when involved in a group project; respecting the hard work of professors, peers, and philosophers who are working just as hard as you and more.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees
KJ Jones

Kriston Jackson Terrell

Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
“I would and do recommend the Child Development program at Dallas College to any child care provider or person aspiring to become a child care provider. It helps you to be a better person, teacher and advocate for young children.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees
Amanda Krebs

Amanda Krebs

Assistant Teacher Akiba Academy of Dallas
“What’s been most fun about my studies is how laid back it is in the classroom. It’s a great teaching method, having such a relaxed style. We can do fun or silly group activities, and we’re still learning. In fact, we’re learning more because we’re seeing things from the kids’ point of view.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees
Darius Moss

Darius Moss

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Student
“Through therapy and soul-searching, I came to understand that school had always felt like my safe place growing up. School was my getaway from all the drama at home. That realization helped me understand my desire to work with kids from similar backgrounds.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees

Cesar Quintero
Teacher
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees
School of Education
Updated July 28, 2026