Graduates of UNT’s College of Education are transforming their students’ lives through learning and development that includes creative curriculums, specialized programs and research
by JessiCA DeLeÓN Danielli Costa (’11) knew she was taking on a tough job when she was hired to teach math at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas last spring. Her students had already had five teachers that school year and were about to take Texas’ important standardized tests, which would determine if they could pass to the next grade. Thomas Jefferson, a school on the rise, has had some tough circumstances. Nearly 85 percent of its students are economically disadvantaged, 78 percent are considered “at risk” and 36 percent have limited English proficiency. But Costa had graduated from UNT’s Teach North Texas program, which helps students earn a bachelor’s degree in math, science or computer science while also earning teacher certifications. “I was very prepared,” she says. “By being exposed to new styles of teaching at UNT, I’ve been able to help my students be successful both in my classroom and in life.” Teach North Texas is just one of many ways UNT has been a leader in excellence and innovation in the world of education, starting in 1890 when it began as a teacher’s college and continuing today as it trains administrators and researchers, and creates specialized programs for educators. UNT graduates become certified as teachers at high rates. In 2010-11, UNT had the second highest number of teachers from a Texas university — 1,147. But more importantly, more than 72 percent of UNT’s teaching graduates remain as teachers in Texas after five years on the job, the highest percentage in the state. That’s critical when nearly 50 percent of teachers leave the job after five years, according to the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. The education world has noticed UNT’s College of Education successes. Teach for America, the prestigious national program that takes teachers into low-income communities across the country, tapped eight recent UNT graduates for the 2012-13 school year. U.S. News & World Report ranked UNT’s counseling program 12th nationwide and the first in Texas in 2012. And national organizations have bestowed awards and high-ranking positions on UNT education alumni, including principals, superintendents and college presidents. UNT graduates conduct research that is used by the Texas Legislature to set state education policy and best practices. The Center
1890
Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute founded by Joshua Chilton
1914
Training (Demonstration) School begins