Aggie Veteran Discovers Passion for Teaching
Student pursues bilingual education to shape next generation of learners
When John Sisneros ‘28 enlisted in the U.S. Navy, he didn’t expect his favorite moments would be teaching his fellow service members. “I enjoyed providing instruction to my shipmates and going through training packets to help them grasp the material and to see them pass it on and excel,” Sisneros recalled. The spark of teaching stayed with him after each session.
Sisneros has seen that kind of leadership at home, where his father’s years of Navy service and coaching make a difference in the community. “I naturally followed my dad’s footsteps from the Navy to the classroom,” Sisneros noted. “Now, we bond over my coursework and what my dad shares from his teaching experience.”
After separating from the Navy this summer, Sisneros moved to College Station to begin the Bilingual EC–6 program in the Department of Educational Psychology. The Gina and William H. Flores Scholarship made his transition to Texas A&M University easier. “The scholarship meant someone believed in me,” Sisneros emphasized. “It’s the first sign I’m on the right path and it motivates me to keep doing what I love.”
As a heritage speaker whose Spanish roots go back centuries, he teaches to honor language and culture and to help students grow in fluency. Sisneros is completing a practicum with Dr. Marcia Montague, a Clinical Associate Professor in Special Education at Texas A&M, through Aggie Homework Helpline’s GEAR UP tutoring volunteer program and supports students at Bryan Collegiate High School and Mary Catherine Harris High School. “It’s rewarding to connect language with culture through stories and songs from across the Spanish-speaking world and offer students the chance to share traditions,” Sisneros shared.
With support from the scholarship, mentors and professors at our College, Sisneros is working toward teaching in an English as a Second Language (ESL) or dual language setting in first through third grade. “Pursuing my educational path is an act of selfless service that helps shape the next generation of learners,” Sisneros said.
Recent Posts
Becoming the Mental Health Leaders Schools Need
Our online M.Ed. in Educational Psychology prepares certified teachers to step into the mental health leadership roles schools need.
New Endowment Strengthens Handball Tradition at Texas A&M
A new endowment advances the sport of handball at Texas A&M and expands opportunities for student wellness.
Helping Kids Manage Big Emotions
The Texas A&M Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education shares how parents can help their children understand and manage big feelings by naming emotions, modeling healthy expression and validating what they feel.
Former CEHD Students Honored at Awards Gala
Our 2025 Outstanding Alumni Awards Gala recognized seven difference makers with the highest honored bestowed upon former CEHD students.
Aggie Veteran Discovers Passion for Teaching
U.S. Navy veteran pursues bilingual teaching at Texas A&M to help learners grow in language and culture.
Critical Skills for AI-Driven Economy: Texas A&M Explores How Higher Ed Can Keep Up
Interdisciplinary team studies micro-credentials and AI literacy to bridge workforce skills gap
Virtual Reality and Peer Teaching Prep STEM Educators
Dr. Melanie Kinskey helps lead a multi-site study comparing VR and peer teaching to boost classroom readiness.
Aggie Inspires Change for Students with Disabilities
Shelbi Davenport empowers students with disabilities through advocacy, education, and inclusion at Texas A&M.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
Embedded mental health counseling helps students access care to succeed academically and personally.
