Cindy Santana didn’t immediately know she wanted to be an educator, but volunteer work inspired a passion to teach, and now she’s Sinclair Elementary’s Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Santana had considered a career in business or engineering when the opportunity to work with disabled students at the Rise School of Houston presented itself. After that, she knew she wanted to teach special needs students and give them the opportunity to show the world who they are.

“I want the world to see that change can happen to anyone, including those who are disabled," said Santana.  "I want to apply the skills I learned throughout college and showcase them in the classroom while creating high expectations.”

Santana credits her former professor Dr. Cathryn White with giving her not only the knowledge needed to be a great teacher, but also the passion. “In the world of education, it isn’t just the knowledge that has significance. It’s the passion that can make a greater output into our society. Dr. White was able to help us feel and understand that.”

First Lecture, the College’s annual event welcoming students to a new school year, also made an impact on Santana. “Bonnie Dunbar’s lecture was so inspiring to me. It was at that moment that I looked at my students and thought, ‘they too can do anything.’”

Santana’s commitment has not gone unnoticed. Dr. Laveria Hutchinson, Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction says, “We are very proud of Cindy's accomplishments and to know that she found her instruction and academic guidance in our College of Education to significantly assist with her capacity to teach all levels of children.  Her excellence as a teacher is evidence of the outstanding instruction our Teaching and Learning candidates receive from their professors in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.”