PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (February 10, 2020) – Jamie N. Ward took part in the first-ever Panther Teaching Academy at Prairie View A&M University. The hard work and determination she put forth resulted in her passing her certification exams and landing a job as a Pre-K teacher for Royal Independent School District.

“Originally, when I came to Prairie View, I was not an education major, I was a nursing major. I knew that I wanted to work with kids, but I could not see myself fixing them up from being sick. I felt teaching was a good alternative. So, I went to the [Whitlowe R. Green] College of Education, talked to some people, and I said, ‘OK, I think I can do this. I think I am well-rounded enough to be a good teacher,’” said Ward, who, growing up, had always tutored her cousins and helped her friends in school.

Ward said her life began to change when she started taking classes at PVAMU.

“I had to change the way I dressed, change the way I talked, change the way I went about life in general, because of my profession. I leaned on my teachers, and they helped me,” said Ward, who graduated in May of 2019.

Ward said, because of the newly created Panther Teaching Academy at PVAMU, she excelled in her certification exam, which is needed to become a professional teacher.

“You have a lot of opportunities to talk to professors, and there were resources made available to us to be successful on our tests. I really did appreciate that,” Ward said about the program, which was three days a week for about two months. “The Panther Teaching Academy gave me what I needed. It also gave me great study habits.”

Ward encourages students matriculating to work hard to prepare themselves and believe in their abilities.

“If you see what you want, conform to it, and just do it,” she said.

The Panther Teaching Academy will be held during the summer 2020 term; however, space is limited. Students admitted to the teacher education program in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education are eligible to apply. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services and Certification at coetestprep@pvamu.edu or edcert@pvamu.edu. 

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By Sammy G. Allen