Teaching and Learning Alum, Victoria Hobbs, has been named this year’s recipient of the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award at Neff Early Learning Center in the Houston Independent School District. Hobbs graduated with honors in 2014 from the University of Houston College of Education.

Hobbs teaches Kindergarten to students from many different countries and cultures. She attributes her successful first year of teaching to the strong classroom management skills she learned at the College of Education. “I had Dr. Lee Wright for two courses my junior and senior year at the College of Education. He always emphasized the importance of a strong classroom environment and routines and procedures,” said Hobbs.

Structure and routines are the foundation for Hobbs’ classroom. She believes both are essential to her students’ understanding that they are in school to learn and to become better readers and writers with the goal of eventually attending college.

After being chosen by her administration for the award, Hobbs is now a nominee for the district and currently working on her application for the award. “I just feel thankful and proud of the education I received at the College of Education,” said Hobbs. “I am honored that the hard work my students have been doing is being recognized.”