The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.
~  Francis of Assisi 

Yvonne Shares Her Story

Thank you RGV LEAD for this award recognition. With the brief time, I can spend with you this morning, I’d like to give you a glimpse into my classroom and teaching style. I express to my students that there are three goals to achieve success in my class: to be passionate, follow through with the process, and be prepared. 

I’m proud to say I found my passion in teaching but it did take me time to find it. When I was five years old, I told my par-

ents I wanted to become an architect because I enjoyed building things. I obviously didn’t follow through with my original plan because I am a high school teacher. But two years ago on the first day of school, I shared my career path story with my students, and one of them chimed in and said, “Mrs. Chamblin, you are an architect! You are building our futures.” It was then that it clicked, my path all along was to become a teacher. I share this story with you because I want to show others that the path we follow in life may lead us to places we didn’t expect to go but we can still achieve success. 

When I teach my CTE and AP Capstone courses, I focus on the process and teach my students vital skills they will need for their professional careers. I want them to see value in their Capstone Projects and 

look back and remember they practiced 21st-century skills all along as students. 

Finally, I remind them to be prepared. Not only to be prepared for the day ahead but to be prepared for new and unexpected experiences in life. Our current situation has shown us how important it is to be ready to adapt to new situations. A year ago, no one thought we would be where we are today. I want them to take away this very important life lesson. 

Thank you again RGV LEAD for this wonderful award. I will take this to heart and share this award with my students and motivate others in the same way it has motivated me.

Thank you.

Yvonne