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VISD honors Bridge teacher‑pipeline graduates and names CTE district of distinction; students demonstrate pathways
Summary
The board recognized four graduates of VISD’s Bridge program (a teacher pipeline initiative), heard student testimonials from CTE pathways and celebrated VISD’s designation as a 2025 Career and Technical Education (CTE) District of Distinction.
At its Feb. 20 meeting the Victoria ISD Board of Trustees recognized four graduates of the district’s Bridge teacher‑pipeline program and celebrated the district’s designation as a 2025 CTE District of Distinction. Students from education, computer science and health‑science pathways spoke about classroom experiences and career goals.
The Bridge program honorees—Andrea Aguilar (seventh‑grade math, Patty Welder Middle School), Victoria Thomas (kindergarten, Smith STEM Elementary), Laura Correa (second grade, Crane Elementary) and Monica Cano (second grade, Smith STEM Elementary)—were presented as Cohort 1 graduates who completed their degrees while teaching and plan to pursue graduate work or credentials. Staff described the Bridge program as an intentional pipeline to address statewide teacher shortages by enabling current staff to earn degrees while remaining in the classroom.
In a separate recognition, the district’s CTE department was named one of 38 districts across Texas to receive the CTE District of Distinction honor for 2025. Staff credited teachers, students and partners—including Victoria College—for meeting criteria such as industry alignment, credential attainment and student outcomes. Several CTE students gave short presentations describing pathway experiences:
• Journey Martinez (Victoria West High School, P‑TECH education and training) described hands‑on classroom experiences and practicum work that informed a decision to pursue teaching.
• Manukh Agrawal (Victoria West High School, P‑TECH computer science) said the program provides real programming experience, internships and a community of peers; he cited statewide contest success among freshmen.
• Maitland Smith (Victoria East graduate, health science pathway) described earning a medical assistant credential and phlebotomy coursework at Victoria College and said she is now an LVN student at Victoria College.
Staff noted that VISD is one of 38 Texas districts receiving the CTE honor out of more than 1,200 districts statewide and urged the community to support expanded cohorts (applications for Cohort 3 of Bridge were announced).
Why it matters
The Bridge program supports teacher pipeline development by enabling classified staff or paraprofessionals to earn degrees while teaching; the CTE designation signals district success linking classroom instruction to workforce credentials, postsecondary credit and employer needs.
Context and next steps
Staff said applications for the Bridge program’s next cohort will open soon. The district also highlighted project‑based and P‑TECH opportunities that allow students to earn college credit and industry certifications. Administrators pointed to partnerships with Victoria College and employers as key to sustaining credentials and internships.
Ending
Board members and administrators praised the students and staff for their perseverance and noted CTE and Bridge work as central to both workforce development and student pathways that support graduation and postsecondary readiness.
