“Getting to know the kids in the office really made me want to be in the classroom teaching,” Rincon said. “I would talk to students, their parents and get to know their backgrounds and stories.”
When her aspiration to be in the classroom did not subside, Rincon enrolled in online classes during the winter semester and was able to complete her observation hours at JFK Elementary during her lunch breaks. Despite having small children of her own, she knew that her temporary sacrifices would be well worth the reward.
“My kids were still small. I was settled into a job, but I knew none of that mattered. It wasn’t going to get any easier from here. This was my opportunity, and I could either take it or leave it. I didn’t think I would get another opportunity like this again,” Rincon said.
The TISD 2015-2016 school year began and Rincon found herself in a new office, Room 217, as JFK’s newest second grade teacher. Students filed in on the first day of school pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face.
Rincon recently completed her first six-week cycle of the school year, and while she says the job is “eye opening,” she is finally doing what she is passionate about. She shared one particular story that inspired her and reinforced her decision to begin teaching.
“There was a student I got to know last year who had a really hard time transitioning into the classroom. She missed her mom a lot, and would often be absent from class. I spoke with her mom quite a bit to help in any way I could,” Rincon explained. “This year, I have the little girl in my class. I received a letter from her mom the first week of school saying how happy she was I was her daughter’s teacher and that now her daughter is excited about going to school.”
Congratulations Mrs. Rincon, and thank you for continuing to play a vital role in the lives of our students.