San Jac celebrates first graduating class of education bachelor’s degree program
All graduates secured teaching positions
San Jacinto College proudly announces the graduation of its inaugural class of seven students from the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education program this summer. In a testament to the program's quality and the dedication of its graduates, all seven students have secured teaching positions in the greater Houston area.
"This historic milestone represents San Jacinto College's commitment to addressing the critical need for qualified early childhood educators in our community," said Albert Talley, senior director, child development and education programs at San Jacinto College. "The fact that all seven graduates have secured positions immediately upon graduation demonstrates both the quality of our program and the high demand for these skilled professionals."
The seven pioneering graduates and their new positions include:
- Priscilla Alverio, third grade teacher at Beta Academy
- Janice Ball, first grade teacher at Timbers Elementary
- Patzy Cruz, fourth grade teacher at Bailey Elementary
- Maria Cortez, Kindergarten clinical teacher at A.B. Freeman Elementary
- Bertha Cortez, early childhood special education/pre-kindergarten clinical teacher at A.B. Freeman Elementary
- Bianca Gaviria, second grade ELA/ESL teacher at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center
- Laquitta Sanders, lead teacher at Tidwell HeadStart, Harris County Department of Education
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education at San Jacinto College was designed to address the pressing workforce gap in early childhood education. Launched in Spring 2024 with support from a $1.5 million grant from Houston Endowment, the program prepares educators to work with children from six weeks through third grade, with specialized training in early childhood development, curriculum design, and classroom management.
“The instructors at San Jac had such an impact on me,” said Cruz. “They didn’t just teach me about education, they showed me what it looks like to lead with heart, patience, and purpose.”
“I truly feel like teaching is my purpose in life,” said Alverio. “And San Jac and my professors have made that possible for me.”
The program was specifically created for students who have already earned an associate of applied science in early childhood/child development and are working in the education field. According to the Learning Policy Institute, Texas has the largest teacher workforce of any U.S. state with more than 370,000 teachers, and by 2030, the need for highly qualified early childhood and elementary teachers in Texas is projected to increase by 13%.
"These graduates represent the future of early childhood education in our region," said Talley. "Their diverse placements across elementary schools, specialized programs, and early childhood centers reflect the comprehensive nature of their training and the versatility of their skills."
The success of this inaugural class underscores the growing recognition of San Jacinto College as a leader in teacher preparation programs. The college launched this second bachelor's degree program in response to the acute teacher shortage affecting the Houston-Galveston metro area, where more than 25,000 teaching job postings were reported. The BAS-ECE program is part of San Jacinto College's broader commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of the Houston-area workforce.
Learn more about San Jacinto College's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education program
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
