The mission of Eastfield College is to provide excellence in teaching and learning.
Director, Curriculum and Student Services
Over the years, I have learned that no one in this world has the right to tell another person who they are—who we become is shaped by the choices we make. I see this motto manifest everyday in my working at Gateway to College at Eastfield where I have served as a counselor, professor, and, now, as a Director. Witnessing our students stretch beyond their limits to achieve their educational goals has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The students at Gateway to College inspire me, motivate me, and challenge me to be better and to always continue growing. In short, I think they rock.
Director/Program Administrator, Admissions and Testing
I am excited to be an educator with Gateway to College at Eastfield College. This program offers students who may not thrive in a traditional educational setting a second chance to succeed in life. It is a great opportunity for a new beginning. As an educator for 19 years, I am deeply inspired by the success stories, survival stories, and the drive and determination that our GTC students posses. I have always lived by this motto: “You can't change your past, but you CAN change your future.”
PLATO Facilitator
I have worked as an instructor with DCCCD for nine years. I was one of the first DCCCD students to take advantage of the PLATO software while it was in its pilot stage at El Centro College, in the early nineties. It was then when I fell in love with learning and teaching and DCCCD became my very first alma mater! DCCCD gave me the academic foundation I needed to get my educational and professional goals off to a pivotal start, making my transition to a University setting extremely proficient! Now that I am an instructor with Gateway to College, at Eastfield, I am able to help students develop and strengthen their core academic foundation. At Gateway to College I enjoy teaching students using a combination of learning and teaching techniques to help each and every student excel as an individual, as well as academically, these techniques involve; the PLATO software, along with classroom instruction, accompanied by one-on-one mentoring, and tutoring. Although most of the students were not able to get their learning needs met in a traditional classroom setting, at Gateway to College these same students are able to really soar. The life stories that brought each student to GTC are never ending and extremely vast, but the main thing that matters is that they ended up here!
“The world is the ultimate classroom and life is our ultimate teacher.” – Bishop T.D. Jakes
ELA Professor
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss. Our world is full of strife and struggle, and as an educator I see this reflected in so many students. Many will hold on to the past and let it direct their future, but here at Gateway to College you only need your brains and your feet. Students have the power to steer their future, and as the reading and writing instructor, I have the privilege of working with such amazing students who inspire me every day. Being here has made me realize that students who come here from so many different backgrounds and who have been through so much in their life, honestly, make the hardest working students. I hope that many more choose to not hold on to their past, but to take the challenge and guide their own future here at Gateway to College.
Administrative Assistant
Math Professor
I take pride in teaching students of all level, assisting with the development of their mathematical skill and coaching them to reach their highest potential. My mission is to eliminate the negative mind set associated with Math. My goal is for students to say I am a better math student, rather than I have never been good in math.
Teaching is about the students. They are my clients. My role as a teacher is to ensure that students are motivated to learn. I work to encourage collaboration in the classroom and critical thinking. My students have an opportunity to learn by interaction. I emphasize the importance of math by discussing and solving life application problems. Students build confidence because I am accessible when they need extra attention with assignments. The Gateway to College Program allows me an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who do not excel in the traditional classroom setting.
Science Professor
As a professor in biology and a person of science, I am also a person of spirit. The study of natural science tickles my curiosity, grabs my interest, and challenges and inspires me to learn more. The life stories and goals of our Gateway students also inspire me, and I love work in learning community with them to find new and creative learning methods as they reach their educational goals. I enjoy the learning community approach at GTC and the ability it provides to be creative in instruction. In addition to the traditional approach, I am able to use active learning, technology, visual techniques, "hands on", and discovery methods. At GTC, I also enjoy developing curriculum rather than being restricted by it. (being required to be on "p. 101 by Friday" as is often the case in other traditional settings.) Through Gateway's unique setting, I am able to be caring and creative and to bring instruction that I believe is meaningful, relevant, and fun to students.
Attendance Clerk
I enjoy working with and helping people meet their needs. I have spent most of my life helping others as a substitute teacher, a case manager for the mentally ill, as a medical assistant, and now I am blessed to be working in the Gateway to College Program as an Administrative Assistant. I feel so blessed to be a part of Gateway to College. Throughout my life experiences, I can relate to the students. I feel that I can make a difference in helping them to appreciate the opportunity they have been given. Both life and education are a two way street of choices that students have to make—they will either choose Destruction or Success. With effort and dedication to our students, SUCCESS will be accomplished by them.
In addition to working at GtC, I am also finishing my Associates of Arts at Eastfield College, and I am also attending UNT Dallas to become a Human Service provider.
You may contact Gateway to College general information line at 972-860-7129.