Two Temple High seniors are slated to compete in the Educators Rising National Competition in June â an annual performance-based event that tests aspiring teachers knowledge, skills and leadership.
âOur students are really excelling in TISD,â Temple ISD Superintendent Bobby Ott told the Telegram. âDespite COVID we have had over 120 students compete at the state level in fine arts, CTE and athletics. This is another example of our students and staff setting the standard.â
Temple ISD spokesman Christian Hernandez said Emily DeGraaff and Alison Elliot â officers for the Texas Association of Future Educators chapter at Temple High â will be the districtâs first representatives at the national competition. They advanced after excelling during TAFEâs state competition.
Emily DeGraaff wanted a head start before her freshman year at Texas A&M University.
The graduating senior â who will be studying in the honors engineering program this upcoming fall â knew enrolling in the Texas Bioscience Institute Middle College Program prior to her junior year at Temple High could accomplish just that.
âThe reason I picked TBI is because I knew it was more similar to a university experience than taking AP or IB courses.â she said. âI wanted to prepare for college while participating in rigorous coursework.â
The TBI Middle College program is a partnership between Temple College and area high schools that allows qualified students to enroll in rigorous Science, Technology and Math-focused dual credit coursework in their junior and senior years of high school, according to a Temple College news release.