Teacher Spotlight

The Texas Adult Education Teacher Credential -
Go For It!

by Brenda Dunlap

The funny thing about learning something new is that, going in to it, you don’t know what you don’t know. When I started working toward the Texas Adult Education Teacher Credential, I really didn’t know where the road would lead. As I began, my plan seemed pretty straightforward -- attend Professional Development Activities, use what I learned in my ESL classroom, and write reflections about it. I really didn’t know what I didn’t know! There are so many knowledgeable people who have so much valuable information about Adult Education; I wanted to learn and absorb as much of that information as I could. I gained a strong desire to become a better teacher for my students and for myself.

The great thing about the Credential requirements is that they are structured to include all aspects of Adult Education: understanding the adult learner; different teaching methods and learning activities; ESL and GED specific knowledge; learning styles and abilities, and cultures; assessments and accountability systems; technology in both teaching and organization; and contextual learning situations. If it had not been required, I would not have chosen to learn about all of these topics; I would have focused on ESL specific topics and learning activities. However, through learning what I “didn’t know,” I came to realize the importance of attaining in-depth knowledge of all of the core content areas and to understand how those content areas inter-relate in practice.

It’s fascinating to realize how principles of adult education and facts about learning styles and culture support the success of established classroom activities and teaching methods. It’s kind of an “Aha, that’s why that works!” When I first started using “getting to know you” types of activities, I had never heard of “community building” in the classroom. When I started getting students on their feet to participate in “active” learning activities, I was just trying to keep them awake and alert; I didn’t connect that to learning styles. I was surprised to find out that the observations I had made about the adult learners in my classroom had already been documented in professional adult education literature in the 1920’s. Eight years ago, I felt like I was reinventing the wheel with every lesson as I planned, prepared, created and adapted materials for my ESL classes, I had no idea that there is a goldmine of information for adult educators just waiting to be discovered and used and shared.

For me, the process of working toward the Credential was more than just attending Professional Development; it was a commitment to actually use what I had learned. In many cases, it really took me out of my personal comfort zone. Trying new things in front of a class full of adult students is risk-taking from my point of view. After a couple of embarrassing failures, I decided to explain to my students what I was doing and why; then I asked for their help whenever I tried something new in the classroom. I was amazed at the depth and extent of the support they offered me as well as the constructive criticism and suggestions. It was a type of bonding experience in that there was a feeling of reciprocity as I was teaching them, and they were helping me. I felt this experience, while sometimes painful, really helped me stretch and grow as a teacher and as an individual.

From a professional standpoint, I have benefited tremendously from my experience of working toward and earning the Texas Adult Education Teacher Credential. I have learned more about Adult Education and teaching ESL in the two plus years since I started working on the credential than in the previous six years of working in adult education. I have more experience in the variety of teaching strategies I have learned and tried. I have a greater depth of knowledge to draw from as I teach. I feel like I have more to offer my students and my program. I have been given the opportunity to work as a trainer, and I find it to be very satisfying to be able to share what I have learned with other teachers.

From a personal standpoint, I have a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in what I consider to be a major achievement. It has rekindled in me a desire for knowledge and learning that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Now, I want to keep learning, growing and achieving. I feel more capable and confident and willing to try new things. I have done things I never imagined I could do. I have met and interacted with people who have enriched my life. I wouldn’t have missed this experience for anything.

For anyone who is considering the prospect of working toward earning the Texas Adult Education Teacher Credential, or those who have started and “stalled,” my advice is--go for it! You will not regret it!

Brenda Dunlap is the proud Grandma of seven grandsons who loves to spend her spare time (an elusive concept) quilting. With a degree in Home Economics Education, she used her knowledge and skills as the full-time mom of her six children for many years. Ten years ago, she “fell into” Adult Education when she was asked to sub in an ESL class. She continued teaching that same class for nearly eight years. She was the first teacher to earn the Texas Adult Education Teacher Credential. She is currently working as a Program Assistant for Harris County Department of Education in the Katy area.