FORT WORTH, Texas — More than 260 high school students from 10 Tarrant County school districts celebrated their commitment to becoming educators at a ceremony today hosted by Rev Partnership in the Interprofessional Education Building at Tarleton State University Fort Worth.
Sophomore, junior and senior high school students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs signed a banner symbolizing their dedication to their future career. “There is something incredibly moving about watching young people choose to become educators — to dedicate their futures to shaping lives,” said Dr. Rachael Capua, Vice President for External Operations and Dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth. “At Tarleton State, we believe in the power of teaching to change the world. It’s more than a career — it’s a legacy of impact, and we’re proud to walk alongside these scholars as they begin that journey.”
More than 600 Tarrant County students will participate in education and training courses through Tarleton State’s Tarleton Today dual enrollment program, which will offer nine hours in the education and training pathway for the 2025-26 school year, said Shayla Hoffman, Director of Tarleton Today. Crowley ISD, which has a unique dual credit partnership through Tarleton Today, will have around 30 students in education and training courses next year.
Tarleton State was the first higher education partner in Tarrant County to offer dual enrollment specific to education and training courses.
“We piloted the Intro to the Teaching Profession course in the 2024-25 school year with 17 teachers and 358 students participating,” said Hoffman. “For the 2025-26 school year, there will be 1,193 students participating in education and training courses. Out of those, 55% are Tarrant County students.”
Tarleton Today partners with 84 districts across Texas, offering university level courses at 105 campuses. Students take courses over a traditional school year, receiving the high school portion of their instruction from their high school teacher and the university portion from a Tarleton State professor. In addition to course content, Tarleton faculty empower students with university-ready skills and provide professional development for collaborating teachers.
Rev Partnership supports Tarrant County’s public education system by fostering relationships between school districts, businesses and social support infrastructure to help the region’s 750,000 students thrive. The Tarrant County Future Educators initiative promotes partnerships between higher education institutes and school districts to address the need for certified teachers through a “grow your own” teacher program that begins in high school.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the dedicated students in our region who are passionate about pursuing teaching as a career,” said Regional Impact Director for Rev Partnership Dr. Laina McDonald. “The Tarleton Today program plays a critical role in supporting the path to become a teacher through dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, which is critical in addressing our region’s need for certified teachers. By supporting the growth of local teacher programs, we are ensuring that talented educators are ready to lead classrooms across the region.”
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
