Dallas College

Student Experience: Marla Smith

"My experience leans more toward Dallas College choosing me. I am a product of Dallas College Brookhaven Campus. I also work for Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Therefore, when our district enthusiastically shared information about the Dallas College Education bachelor's degree program with us, I knew it was meant to be. Plus, I had such a wonderful experience when I attended Brookhaven Campus, I just knew it was going to be a great ride.

“What surprised me the most about Dallas College was that a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching is offered. Both my mother and father went to college but never earned a degree, which means I will be the first to earn a bachelor's degree.

“Dallas College has helped me succeed in many ways. The staff is so personable and available to help at all times. Recently, I experienced some financial hardship. I reached out to Dean Jeffrey Miller, and immediately he emailed me about several campus organizations that were happy to assist me.

“I aspire to be a teacher in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. I have a passion for teaching the youth and sharing the tools they will need to be successful in life. Ultimately, I would love to be a theater teacher for a Carrollton-Farmers Branch school."


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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
Nicole Ellis

Nicole Ellis

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Residency Student
“The performance-based learning tasks help me build a portfolio of my student teaching file and get third-party feedback from other professionals in the education field about my teaching strategies and implementation.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees

Christy C. Livingston

Teacher
“The wealth of knowledge and experiences taught by the team of professors in the Child Development and Early Childhood Education College was outstanding. My life has been forever changed by them and these programs. The level of commitment they brought to teaching using relevant hands-on learning, field experiences and mentoring further enriched and elevated my learning experience.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees

Cesar Quintero

Teacher
“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.”
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees
Marla Smith
Marla Smith
Student ambassador, School of Education
Education Courses and Teaching Degrees
School of Education
Updated March 2, 2026