College of Education Newsletter

Fall 2025 Pinning Ceremony: Celebrating Our Newest Bearkat Teachers

On Tuesday, December 9, the College of Education hosted its Fall 2025 Pinning Ceremony in the LSC Orange Ballroom to honor our newest class of graduating Bearkat Teachers and the noble profession that unites us all: teaching.

Dean Stacey Edmonson opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to the graduates and their loved ones, congratulating them on their accomplishments and officially welcoming them to “the other side of the desk.” She reminded the graduates of the profound impact they will have in their careers:
“On your best day, you are changing lives and impacting students. And on your worst days, because you will have those days, you are still changing lives and impacting students. That makes you, our future teachers, the most powerful people in the world.”

Alumni remarks were delivered by Ms. Halee Pfingsten, a Fall 2024 graduate and current teacher at Conroe ISD. Halee shared words of encouragement and practical advice for her soon-to-be colleagues:
“You do not have to do it alone. Every great teacher asks for help, leans on mentors, and grows alongside a team of supportive colleagues. Flexibility, resilience, and trust in yourself will carry you through the unexpected moments.”

The keynote address was given by Dr. Carnelius Gilder, Superintendent of West Sabine ISD. Dr. Gilder emphasized that the Pinning Ceremony is more than a milestone, it is a declaration:
“It is your public ‘yes!’ to a calling. It is larger than any job description, any master schedule, any curriculum guide. You are stepping into a noble profession, one that shapes not only academic futures, but human destinies.”
He closed by quoting Maya Angelou:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Dr. Gilder thanked the graduates for answering this call and for the lasting influence they will leave on generations to come.

Following the keynote, Mrs. Angie Taylor, Director of Innovative Partnerships, recognized each of the 150 graduates as they crossed the stage in groups of ten to receive their light blue stoles from College of Education faculty. The excitement and pride in the room were contagious as the final group left the stage, making it official: these students are now Bearkat Teachers. Ms. Ashlyn Zollinger then led her peers in reciting the Bearkat Teacher Oath.

Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Kristina Vargo, Chair of the School of Teaching and Learning, who encouraged graduates to wear their pins with pride and offered best wishes as they begin their teaching journeys.

Congratulations to our newest Bearkat Teachers! We are proud of you and excited to see the incredible impact you will make in classrooms and communities for years to come.

Next Stop: Pre-Graduation Reception

Make sure to swing by the College of Education's Pre-Graduation Reception before you walk the stage!

December 12

TEC 279

11:30 a.m.

No RSVP required. Light refreshments available.

"My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition."

- Indira Gandhi

Become a Tutor!

Looking for a job that fulfills your field experience requirement? The School of Teaching and Learning is hiring tutors to support elementary students in local schools for Spring 2026! Earn $18 per hour, gain valuable classroom experience, and receive course credit.

Eligible students must be:

A Time 2 Read

Do you have 1 hour/week to serve 2 students in literacy? A Time 2 Read is looking for volunteers to help with their 1st grade program this Spring or serve in 2nd grade spots that still need volunteers. See flyer to sign up for training in January or contact Holly McMichael @ holly@atime2read.org

Junior Service League Mobile Food Truck Events:

Remaining Events for December 2025 & January 2026 Dates

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