I graduated from San Diego State University’s Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program on May 14, 2025. Completing this program has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life so far. What initially drew me to SDSU was their Accelerated Curriculum for Educators (ACE) program, formerly known as the Integrated Teaching Education Program (ITEP). The ACE program at SDSU allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential in four years, unlike the traditional five year path.
The process of becoming a teacher is filled with moments of vulnerability and frustration. There were times when the coursework, student teaching, and exams felt relentless, constantly pushing me past my limits. When I was in the thick of my program, it felt never-ending. However, reflecting on the experience from my current perspective, I see how every challenge, every long day, and every lesson inside and outside the classroom, shaped me into the teacher I’ve always strived to be.
Shaped by Teaching
SDSU’s credential program differs from most. Instead of rotating between primary and upper elementary classrooms, SDSU places student teachers in a single grade level for the entire school year. This allowed me to see the progression of student learning throughout the year while also forming deep, meaningful connections with my fourth-grade students.
Something I have realized throughout the program is the influence a mentor teacher holds over a student teacher’s experience. A supportive, patient, flexible, and knowledgeable mentor teacher is invaluable, shaping not only the skills, but the confidence of an aspiring teacher. Without such guidance and willingness, learning the intricacies of having your own classroom would feel nearly impossible. Fortunately, I had the privilege of learning from a mentor teacher who modeled excellence in teaching, encouraged my development, and treated me as a valued team member rather than just a student teacher. By the end of the year, my mentor teacher and I had developed a strong partnership. Saying goodbye on my last day was far more difficult than I had anticipated. There was a mutual sense of loss that underscored the deep connections we had built over the months.
For thirty weeks, I woke up at 6 AM, taught for FREE, and attended class afterschool all while studying for the RICA (a major teacher exam), completing the edTPA (another huge teacher exam), tackling coursework assignments, and preparing for my university supervisor to observe my teaching. It was an exhausting cycle of preparation, instruction, and reflection. But suddenly, it was over. And now, I miss the chaos, the challenge, the victories, and even the struggles. It was a transformative journey, one that taught me many lessons along the way.
A Dream Fulfilled
My younger self would be so proud. I’ll never forget the days spent playing school in my childhood bedroom, creating imaginary students, teaching made up lessons, and grading fake assignments. Back then, it was just a dream. Now, it’s my reality. While the path to becoming a teacher has been demanding, every challenge has only reinforced why I chose this profession in the first place.
During one of my first jobs as a teacher’s aide, a poem hung near the preschool entrance that has stayed with me ever since.
“One hundred years from now, it won’t matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like. BUT the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.’”—Forest Witcraft
I have always wanted to be a teacher and now, I am.
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