In her very first year at Club Hill Elementary School, Gizelle Prudencio has already left her mark. Her dedication, growth, and work ethic were recognized when her fellow paraprofessionals and teachers nominated her for Paraprofessional of the Year, an honor that reflects her unmatched impact on her students and colleagues.

“I just cried, happy tears. It’s my first year,” Prudencio said, recalling the moment she learned of the award.

From FTI to the Classroom

Prudencio's journey toward teaching began years before she joined Club Hill. A 2025 graduate of Garland High School, she discovered her passion for teaching through Garland ISD’s Future Teacher Internship (FTI) program. The program gives high school students a real-world preview of the profession, allowing them to work directly in classrooms, assist teachers, and learn how lessons are planned, managed, and delivered. For Gizelle, it built confidence, sharpened her skills, and confirmed her goal of becoming a teacher.

Through FTI, she completed an internship at Kimberlin Academy for Excellence, where she experienced firsthand how each classroom has its own pace and personality.

“I didn’t realize how much goes into teaching,” she said. “I thought it was just the school year, but there’s so much more that teachers do.”

Growing in the Classroom

Today at Club Hill, Prudencio supports teachers by preparing and organizing instructional materials and lessons, and working with small groups of students in reading and math.

The experience has allowed her to develop confidence and leadership skills in the classroom.

“At the beginning of the year, I was very soft spoken,” she said. “Now, I’m more confident in the classroom and know how to manage my students and keep them focused.”

With guidance from her colleagues, she has learned to redirect students, maintain lesson flow, and build stronger classroom relationships. These skills will be essential when she eventually leads her own class.

Her growth and dedication did not go unnoticed. Staff members saw her improvement and work ethic firsthand, prompting them to nominate her for Paraprofessional of the Year, a recognition she calls both meaningful and motivating.

Continuing the Journey Through CAPE

While gaining classroom experience, Prudencio is also continuing toward teacher certification through Garland ISD’s CAPE (Certify and Prepare Educators) program.

After graduating from high school, she returned to the district as a paraprofessional. In the High School-to-Para-to-Teacher pathway, participants gain hands-on experience while working toward the education and certification requirements needed to lead their own classrooms.

Through CAPE and Garland ISD’s partnership with Dallas College, Prudencio is taking college courses while continuing to learn in real classrooms.

“The support has helped a lot,” she said. “The CAPE program also gives more insight into the teacher profession.”

Advice for Future Educators

Looking back, Prudencio encourages students who may be considering the Future Teacher Internship to take the leap.

“Just go for it,” she said. “Your mentor teacher and your FTI teacher are there to help you. We make mistakes, so just ask questions.”

For Prudencio, that advice has already paid off. What started in high school has grown into a professional path that combines classroom experience, recognition for hard work, and a clear trajectory toward becoming a certified teacher in Garland ISD, the same district that first inspired her to step into the classroom.