EDUCATION: College of Education focuses on shaping future teachers at TAMIU

EDUCATION: College of Education focuses on shaping future teachers at TAMIU

By Xavier Diaz
Bridge contributing writer
Published Tuesday, March 17, 2026

The College of Education at Texas A&M International University continues to play a key role in preparing the next generation of teachers and education leaders across South Texas. With the growing demand for qualified educators, the college’s programs and faculty work to meet the needs of schools and communities throughout the region.

This effort includes early childhood, bilingual education, special education and educational leadership programs within the College of Education. Many who complete these programs end up teaching in local districts or proceed into graduate studies.

“I think what is unique about the College of Education at TAMIU is that not all education programs offer master’s programs where students can do seven-week courses,” College of Education adjunct faculty member Sara Villanueva said. “They can end up taking four courses per semester, so they finish a lot faster.”

The institution has also prioritized the need for practical exposure. The students spend time in the classrooms during their field-work and student teaching semesters. The practical exposure gives them ample opportunities to put into practice all that is taught in classes.

The College of Education supports research and community outreach in addition to classroom teaching. Projects by faculty and students often respond to educational challenges, such as literacy development, bilingual instruction and the use of technology in learning.

“At the master’s level, we probably do a better job at that than we do at [the] undergraduate level,” College of Education Dean Alfredo Ramirez Jr. said. “So, at the undergraduate level we focus a lot on teacher preparation and making sure we get teachers out into the classrooms … [We are considering the] possibility of adding some type of undergraduate leadership certificate to our degree programs to see if there are students at the undergraduate level interested in getting some leadership experience.”

The College of Education also remains connected to local school districts by offering professional development and mentoring services for in-service teachers. These partnerships strengthen the connection between TAMIU and the greater Laredo community.

Many students in the program say they appreciate the college’s support and close-knit environment. With small class sizes and dedicated professors, students have the chance to build strong relationships with their mentors and peers.

“The one thing this college has accomplished in the last seven years is enrollment growth,” Ramirez said. “We have very high graduate student enrollment, so our numbers are very healthy and it is mostly at the graduate level and the reason for that is because we put a lot of our programs online. So, if there is one thing this college has done very well is that it has met the challenge of online education head on.”

The College of Education continues to evolve with the changing landscape in education, focusing on new pedagogies and resources and the use of technology across classrooms. As demand for qualified teachers grows, the college remains committed to preparing educators who can meet the needs of a diverse learner population in South Texas and beyond.