Teaching & Learning EC-6 Generalist Alum Destini Oliver has been featured in the Extra Yard for Teachers social media websites.  Extra Yard for Teachers is an organization that wants to elevate the teaching profession, by inspiring and empowering quality teachers.  They also connect college football with educators. In other words, the organization wants to be the change, and go the extra yard for those who have gone the extra yard for their students. 

Oliver graduated from the University of Houston in May of 2014.  She currently teaches Kindergarten at Cummings Elementary. Last year, she taught 1st grade students.  “It meant a lot for me to share my story and see it displayed to the world,” said Oliver.  “As you accumulate teaching-years as time goes by, I don't believe that you will ever stop learning.”

Oliver, who is a wife, a mother to Madison who is 1, and very involved in church, says her career goal is to eventually get her Masters in Counseling. She also would like to become a music teacher in Elementary School.

Oliver is thankful for the support she received from certain staff and faculty & staff members she had at the University of Houston, College of Education (UH COE). Her academic advisor, Chrisdolyn Dawson became her advisor after her original advisor unexpectedly passed away.  “I am so blessed that she was placed in my path. My grades started to drop and I was very discouraged and overwhelmed with college life and tests,” she said.  “She [Dawson] encouraged me and told me that she believed in me . . . once I completed all of my basics and started my core education classes my grades began to soar. I was so excited to keep going back to Mrs. Dawson and show her that I made the dean’s list.” 

Dawson told us she really encourages her students to make appointments because UH COE advisors are able to go past the academic rim and really build an encouraging relationship for their success mentally, emotionally and academically.  “It is always great to see my students excel in life,” said Dawson.  “Destini was a great student and it has been a blessing to see her grow from a student, to a wife, to a career women and then, into motherhood. She has a bright future ahead of her.  Destini, keep shooting for the stars!”

When asked what professors inspired her, Oliver said that assistant clinical professor, Dawn Westfall gave her great feedback on assignments and encouraged her to succeed. “Dr. Westfall wrote extremely strong recommendations for me when I applied to become a teacher. I have been teaching ever since and although there are stressful days, the great days in which I see my children grow, out-number them all.”

Oliver told us that she will never forget all of the papers, projects, and lesson plans that she completed at UH COE. “The journey wasn't easy, but today I can say I am grateful for everything that made me the teacher that I am today,” she said.

Destini Oliver’s Post on Extra Yard for Teachers Facebook Page:

"My name is Destini Oliver. I teach at Cummings Elementary in Alief ISD and am going into my third year. I teach because I care about the influence of the next generation. I love that I get to touch the world in a major way daily. I not only touch the world of careers but I get to enrich growing minds and fill tiny hearts with love. I instill character in my students and I focus on building meaningful relationships with the parents and the students. This is why I teach and I am so blessed every day a student has an ah ha moment, learns something new, or simply goes home knowing that their teacher loves them.
I love teaching. While the workload isn't light I enjoy touching the lives of children daily." Thanks for sharing your story Destini!!!