12/11/2019 04:43:37 PMAs a young student, Maria Hernandez felt her teachers didn’t always care for or support her. Yet, the experience didn’t discourage her — it ignited her desire to teach. 
“I wanted to make sure that when I was teaching I would tell students, ‘You can do it. You can’t do it yet, but you will,’” Hernandez said.
Now, she’s ready to fulfill that mission, graduating Saturday from the University of Houston College of Education with a bachelor’s in teaching. She’ll also lead the processional and sit on stage as a banner bearer for the Department of Curriculum & Instruction due to her high academic standing.
Before the big day, Hernandez took time to share some lessons learned.