College of Education student Anum Javeed shows her appreciation for her Mentor Teachers
As the only Teacher Candidate in Lubbock ISD fortunate enough to be placed in a Pre-K classroom, I have witnessed firsthand what exemplary early childhood education looks like through the partnership of Mrs. Martha Jones and Mrs. Patricia Hernandez. Together, they have created a classroom environment that serves as the gold standard for emergent literacy and comprehensive child development. What many people don't realize is just how impactful the foundation of Pre-K truly is - Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hernandez understand that these early years are critical, and they approach each day with the knowledge that they are shaping not just academic readiness, but lifelong learners. Every student and family that goes through Mrs. Jones's class emerges more than prepared for schooling through elementary and beyond.
Our Pre-K classroom family has shown me what an exemplary model looks like across all domains of development through their masterful integration of Conscious Discipline, International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, the Student Engagement Continuum, and comprehensive compliance with 300+ Pre-K guidelines to ensure every single student is truly kinder-ready. What makes this experience even more special is being able to interact with, learn from, and grow from my mentor teacher and our awesome TA - this collaborative model has enriched my understanding of how effective teaching teams operate and the power of shared expertise in supporting young learners.
Under Mrs. Jones’s leadership, my experience has been shaped by a welcoming, inclusive, and loving environment for students and myself alike while maintaining high academic standards that are incredible to witness come to fruition. This Pre-K classroom represents everything that early childhood education should be - nurturing yet rigorous, joyful yet purposeful, and always centered on what's best for each individual child. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hernandez don't just teach; they build the foundation upon which all future learning will rest.
Thank you, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hernandez, for showing me what exceptional Pre-K education looks like and for the lasting impact you make on every child who walks through your classroom door. I am so excited to carry forward everything I've learned from both of you into my own classroom!