A&M-Commerce Alum Credits University for Successful Teaching Career

Tiffany Kral, A&M-Commerce alumna and 2017 winner of the “Clinical Teacher of the Year Award” from the Texas Directors of Field Experience (TDFE), attributes her success as a teacher to the undergraduate teacher preparation program at A&M-Commerce. Kral is currently a third-grade math teacher at Sulphur Springs ISD and feels that she has finally immersed herself in her calling.

She attributes her strong teaching foundation to her experience in the undergraduate education program, which included a semester-long internship and a semester of residency. “You need the full year…you just get your feet wet that first semester,” she said. Now in her second year of teaching, she is the third-grade team lead and math team lead for her campus. She added, “I would not have had those opportunities had it not been [for] the education and how fully [the university] prepared me.”

Teaching was not Kral's first career, but, according to her, it was the right career. “It was a passion that I kept trying to deny,” she said. “It's definitely my calling.” Kral, a transfer student who earned an early childhood-sixth grade general certificate and all-level special education certificate, says that her approach to teaching is not just about delivering content, but also about making connections with her students. “I might be that one person down the road that they can turn to when they feel like there's nobody else.”

A&M-Commerce is part of The Texas A&M University System initiative called We Teach Texas that encourages prospective students to pursue teaching careers at one of the 11 system universities.  According to the We Teach Texas website, the A&M System produces more fully certified teachers than any other Texas university system. Call 903-886-5537.