This story was originally posted on May 20, 2025

Surrounded by family members, mentor teachers and campus leaders, EMS ISD students gathered for a special signing event that marked the beginning of their professional journey into education, right where it started.

Held at the Dr. Jim F. Chadwell Administration Building Board Room, the EMS ISD Future Educator Signing Day celebrated high school students enrolled in the Education and Training program at the Hollenstein Career & Technology Center (HCTC), who have earned their Educational Aide I certification and plan to pursue a career in education. 

“This means everything to me," said Jacob Michael, a Chisholm Trial High School student who plans to teach math. "The support I get from all of the teachers and my mentor teacher, it means everything.”

The students were joined by current educators, campus and district leaders and special guests who offered words of encouragement, appreciation and pride.

“There are no doctors, no attorneys, no truck drivers without great teachers,” said Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth, EMS ISD Superintendent. “This is hard work, but everything I’ve ever done in my life that’s worthwhile has been hard. This profession, this calling, is the most important one on the face of the earth.”

Culminating the event, the students signed letters of intent to return to EMS ISD as educators. Upon graduating with a degree in education and obtaining their Texas teaching certification, the students are now guaranteed an interview with EMS ISD and, if hired, will receive a $5,000 signing bonus.

“This is not something most districts do,” Hollingsworth said. “To be recognized for choosing this path, to already feel the investment of people pouring into you, this is unique to EMS ISD.”

Bethany Tucker, a second-year teacher at Hatley Elementary School, also shared her journey. A former EMS ISD student herself, she spoke about the impact of her own EMS teachers and how their influence guided her path back to the district.

“Jill Touraine at Wayside Middle School taught me how to understand math. To this day it still shocks my mom that I teach math for a living. It’s a testament to the power of one educator caring for a student,” she said. "EMS ISD is a place where teachers don’t just teach, they nurture and guide. We are the legacy of this district. This shows the power of planting seeds here and watching them grow.”

That idea of planting seeds was echoed by many of the students honored.

"This is very inspiring," said Nikaya Blount, a student from Boswell High School. "It takes a lot, and it takes a village, and this village surrounding us is inspiring and further reinforces that I want to be a second grade teacher."  

The event also reinforces that even in a time when the profession of teaching is not always talked about positively by elected officials or people on social media, there is still a lot of support for students who want to pursue this important career.

“Sometimes people in education are taken for granted, but being recognized like this makes it all feel worth it,” said Amarely Lorenzo, a Boswell High School student who plans to teach third grade English.

We are #EMSproud of each student who signed their letter of intent to return to EMS ISD and make an impact in the lives of future students and families who will walk the same halls these students do now.

Future Educator Signing Day Honorees

Nikaya Blount
Boswell High School
Intern, Lake Country Elementary
Plans to attend Texas State University and major in Elementary Education

Amarely Lorenzo
Boswell High School
Intern, Bryson Elementary School
Plans to attend Tarrant County College and Texas A&M University and major in Education PreK–6 Generalist

Jacob Michael
Chisholm Trail High School
Intern, Ed Willkie Middle School
Plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University and major in Mathematics

Molly Muldowney
Chisholm Trail High School
Intern, Hatley Elementary School
Plans to attend Tarleton State University and major in Elementary Education and pursue a master’s in Psychology

Amelia Stanley
Boswell High School
Intern, Willow Creek Elementary School
Plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in Early Childhood Education