Irving ISD's Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer students a diverse array of pathways, including cosmetology, veterinary science, and more. Among the success stories is Michelle Gomez, an Irving ISD graduate who found her passion for teaching through the education pathway at Nimitz High School.
Gomez, who attended Kinkeade Early Childhood, Townley Elementary, Bowie Middle, and Nimitz High Schools, was heavily involved in fine arts during her time as a student, particularly in the drumline and color guard. It was at Nimitz where she made the decision to pursue her career in education.
"I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was a kid, I used to pretend my stuffed animals were students, and I’d act like I was teaching them," Gomez says. "By being a part of the education pathway at Nimitz, not only was I able to get a head start in my career, but it was such an eye-opening experience and confirmation that this is what I was meant to do."
Under the guidance of Lavonne Carpenter, the education CTE instructor at Nimitz, Gomez learned valuable skills such as time management, attention to detail, and empathy. She credits Carpenter for her growth as both a student and an educator.
"Not only did I graduate with more knowledge about the education field, but because of the program and Ms. Carpenter, I also left feeling more prepared for college," Gomez adds. "Ms. Carpenter took time to get to know her students, and she has a personality that’s hard to forget. She had a great impact on me."
As part of the education pathway, Gomez had the opportunity to shadow teachers in the district, including Maria Jaquez Gonzalez at Britain Elementary School, who taught her how to work with smaller groups of students.
Despite facing the challenge of becoming a mother two weeks before her graduation from Nimitz in 2019, Gomez found inspiration and motivation in her son, who is now four years old and attends Townley Elementary School. She is currently working towards completing her college degree and serves as a third-grade bilingual math and science teacher at Townley through the district’s temporary campus support program.
"I wanted to pay it forward at Townley especially because a lot of the teachers I had are still here, and I want to show them that I’m a product of their hard work," Gomez says.
