‘A Celebration of Growth’ Honors the Journey to Becoming a Certified Teacher
Leave a commentMay 15, 2025 by HCDE Communications
Becoming a certified teacher is not always easy. When the Center for Educator Success (CES) reimagined its alternative teacher certification program to support aspiring teachers, leaders knew they would need a cohort of candidates with the grit and determination to complete the requirements.
On May 13, division leaders gathered in the Irvington Conference Center to celebrate those who worked tirelessly over the past three years to obtain their certification. Nearly 15 candidates were invited to “A Celebration of Growth” ceremony to share their accomplishments with family and friends.
“It’s kind of a small group, and since we met that first day, it was really family oriented,” said Travis Barnes, a cohort member and Spring Independent School District teacher. “That’s what really stood out to me, and today I get to tell them, ‘I appreciate you and thank you for sticking with me through everything.’”
Through partnerships with Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), Districts of Innovation, like Spring ISD, encourage employees with bachelor’s degrees who lack teacher certification to join the cohort. CES meets with the members weekly for 18 weeks, providing lessons on classroom management, instructional planning and content methodologies. Candidates must complete their coursework while managing their daily teaching responsibilities and sometimes their families.
Stephanie Aldridge hugs CES Senior Director Andrea Segraves and thanks her for everything the division has done for cohort members. 
Asia Menfee-Lopez celebrates completing her certification with her husband at “A Celebration of Growth” ceremony on May 13. 
Cohort member Gabrielle Thomas, center back, photographed with her support system throughout the three-year CES certification program. 
The Center for Educator Success recognized approximately 10 area teachers at a certification ceremony on May 13. The ceremony, “A Celebration of Growth,” celebrated area cohort members who have completed the HCDE teacher certification program. Honorees received their certificate of completion and were recognized for their accomplishments alongside their family and friends.
“Just imagine trying to complete certification modules while you still have a stack of papers on your desk to grade,” said Dr. CJ Rodgers, HCDE’s assistant superintendent for Education and Enrichment. “This celebration lets everyone know the dedication that goes into becoming a certified teacher. It speaks about our candidate’s hard work and diligence in ensuring they’re doing everything they possibly can to ensure the success of Harris County students.”
Guests heard remarks from Superintendent James Colbert Jr. about persistence and the fight to reach one’s goals, no matter how many times they might fail. Several teacher candidates also shared stories about overcoming adversity during the program and their passion for helping support the next generation through academia.
Toracia Simmons-Swift, a teacher at HCDE’s Highpoint School, joined the cohort a semester late but was able to catch up to the curriculum in a few months. She describes the opportunity as a blessing.
“Working for HCDE means walking in my purpose,” Simmons-Swift smiled. “There are no words to explain the certification process, but this journey is something that I would never trade for the world. Everything has been amazing: the good, the bad, the people I have met and the students I work with.”
Each candidate overcame unique challenges to reach this point, but “A Celebration of Growth” was a powerful reminder of the necessary commitment to become a teacher. As the ceremony ended, candidates received certificates of completion to mark their resilience and loyalty to Harris County learners.
To learn more about the Center for Educator Success, visit hcde-texas.org/CES.