Posted inEducation

Thania Robles: She Can

Alexandra C by Alexandra C

Thania Robles has been an educator for the past __ years. From studying at UTRGV and at Lamar University, Mrs.Robles has accomplished great things throughout her career.
“I studied at UTRGV for my masters degree and at Lamar University for my bachelors degree,” Robles said.

The most common reason that I have heard people become teachers is because they want to help expand the knowledge of the students. Although this is one of the main reasons Mrs.Robles became an educator, she also wanted to change
“Everyday is something different and unexpected, it is fun,” Robles said.

As of this school year, Robles has started to teach college level courses along with the regular high school level classes. “It can be difficult to change style and mode for the classes but so far it’s been fun,” says Robles. Other than the assignments and material, teaching a college course is very different from a regular class, especially the students there. “Some students are more mature and they don’t have to rely on her to remind them about the classes,” said Robles.

Above all of this, she is also the team leader for the junior class. Being team leader consists of working with others to set strategies and make activities for students.
“It’s great being team leader but it also depends on your team. I am grateful to have a team that is so cooperative and helpful.”

When asked if it brought more stress into her work life, she responded with “Yes but it is a part of the job.”

Posted inEducation, Community, Events

Connecting the Justice Path a Patch at a Time

Roberto by Roberto

In the criminal justice system, officers and officials receive patches to demonstrate their pride, dedication and membership to their careers. These memorabilia from service, law enforcement agencies have created “Patch Walls,” to show the honor and dedication of other law enforcement agencies.
Criminal Justice teacher Gilberto Salinas has started his own Patch Wall project in his class with the intention of networking his students with police department patches throughout the U.S.
“I am just doing this project as a way for students to network with different agencies and just kind of see that law enforcement is way bigger than just the valley and this school,” Salinas said. “It is just kind of extending the hand and thanking them for what they have done.”
Currently, Salinas has received patches from local and interstate departments such as Utah, Wyoming and from the U.S. capital thanks to his students who sent handwritten letters to those departments.
“I have heard about the patch walls before, and I think it is something important for students to see as they go to Jimmy Carter,” Salinas said. “It is a good way to demonstrate what we are doing, and I am taking pictures of them as they are getting patches and opening them.”
Salinas said this project is a good way to set up a legacy for future students coming through the Criminal Justice program. Freshman and La Joya I.S.D Campus Crime Stoppers member, Luz Morado, shares her reflections on the project.
“The patch wall is a new and inviting experience for me and my classmates,” Morado said. “It is exciting to go to class every day and check to see if anyone responded back. Each story inspires me more to continue my work in the criminal justice field.”
Morado was initially hesitant to write a letter to a police department, however, Salinas talked her through it; she is thrilled to see the patch wall grow as students sent more letters.