College Forward - Houston: Coach Profiles

Showing posts with label Coach Profiles. Show all posts

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Coach Profile- Dustin Duncan

Coach Dustin "owling"

Where are you originally from?

I am from Chicago, Illinois! 3-1-2 you guys! Chi-town forever!

Where did you graduate from? What did you major in?

I graduated from University of Illinois where I majored in Political Science.

What brought you to College Forward?

I wanted to have the chance to help students who were similar to my background. I am a first-generation college student and I know firsthand the challenges I faced when I was applying to college.

What is your favorite thing about working here?

I love the environment we work in. We have a lot of freedom in the office to construct our own class plans and the students that we work with give us the respect that we need to be able to facilitate a class.

If you could describe College Forward in 5 words, what would they be?

Energetic, Tiring, Worthwhile, Inspiring, Goal-oriented

What has been your biggest accomplishment at College Forward thus far?

I think it would have to be my ACT prep with my class that paid off. A lot of my students improved significantly from their ACT Diagnostic to the actual ACT test.

What is your favorite thing about living in Houston?

I live in the Montrose area and so I have access to a bunch of parks, museums, and restaurants. So I mainly love my locations, because as a native Chicagoan- I love to walk everywhere.

What is your favorite food?

I love steak. And I make it in my apartment. And I get it from Kroger.

What kind of music do you listen to?

I can listen to anything except classical. What I'm currently listening to right now- as my coworkers can hear through my headphones- is Drake. He's my homie.

What is your favorite place to go in Houston?

Hermann Park. GTL! Or more like GLT. I like to gym it, laundry it up, and then tan.

Do you have any talents or hobbies?

I have extremely stretchy skin (seriously I need to see a doctor) and I can do insane back flips as I tumbled as a kid!

And last but not least- what advice would you give to future coaches?

Make sure you dedicate time getting to know your students. Because you'll be surprised to find out how much of a force you'll be to them during their school year.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Coach Profile- Christi Garza

Coach Christi at work!

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from San Antonio, Texas. Born and raised!

Where did you graduate from? What did you major in?

I graduated from Texas A&M San Antonio with a degree in Sociology.

What brought you to College Forward?

College access has always been something that has interested me, and knowing that I would be able to assist students who wanted to further their education definitely made the choice easy.

What is your favorite thing about working here?

My students definitely! Watching them go through the process and seeing their excitement over acceptance letters is probably the most rewarding aspect.

If you could describe College Forward in 5 words, what would they be?

Fun, Challenging, Changing, Rewarding, and Diverse

What has been your biggest accomplishment at College Forward thus far?

Getting to know my students personally and having them know that they can depend on me.

What is your favorite thing about living in Houston?

I would have to say the diversity...not to mention the tons of different food places to try.

What is your favorite food?

I love steak (medium rare) with some steamed veggies. I am a food lover, so I'll pretty much eat anything, or at least try it once.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Everything and anything- from Country to Modern Rock to Spanish Rock to DnB to Electronica to whatever is playing on the radio. For the most part, I'm never without my headphones.

What is your favorite place to go in Houston?

Hermann Park- it's an awesome place to go for a jog, relax in the sun or just take in the day.

Do you have any talents or hobbies?

Well, when I'm at home, in San Antonio, I enjoy hiking and running trails. You could also do that in Houston, but you do have to drive a good distance.

What is your favorite restaurant in Houston?

As I've only been to a few, I'd have to say Lupe's Tortillas or Torchy's Tacos!

And last but not least- what advice would you give to future coaches?

Have fun, enjoy working with the kids, don't take things too seriously, and most of all they're teenagers, so embrace their immaturity but push them to do anything and everything!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Coach Profile- Natalie Hanson

Coach Natalie at MLK Service Day

Where are you originally from?

Minnesota. But I wish I was from Mexico. Seriously.

Where did you graduate from? What did you major in?

I graduated from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities where I majored in Physiology.

What brought you to College Forward?

I wanted to do AmeriCorps and I wanted to work directly with people and have more of a relationship instead of doing opportunities where it would be just a "desk job."

What is your favorite thing about working here?

The people such as my students and co-workers.

If you could describe College Forward in 5 words, what would they be?

Challenging, creative, laughter, accomplishment, and dedication

What has been your biggest accomplishment at College Forward thus far?

Helping my 40+ students get into college

What is your favorite thing about living in Houston?

In Minnesota they don't sell papaya at the grocery store and they sell it here! So I love that Houston has papaya!

What is your favorite food?

SHIPLEY'S!!! Xenia introduced me to their donuts and now I am obsessed.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Everything. My latest craze is Bassa Nova

What is your favorite place to go in Houston?

The Galleria. Specifically Sephora in The Galleria.

Do you have any talents or hobbies?

I like to sing and cook. I'm also a dancer.

What is your favorite restaurant in Houston?

My house!

And last but not least- what advice would you give to future coaches?

Read a lot of news, media, self-help books- whatever you can do to make yourself a really interesting person with lots to talk about so as to really entertain and engage your kids!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Coach Profile- Teanna Harris

Eisenhower Junior College Coach: Teanna Harris

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Portland, Oregon but was raised in Houston, Texas.

Where did you graduate from and what did you major in?

I graduated from Texas A&M University WHOOP!

What brought you to College Forward?

I came to College Forward with the hopes of affecting young people much like myself when I was in high school, students who are not particularly familiar with or exposed to the process of getting into college but are determined to succeed in that process.

What is your favorite thing about working here?

My favorite thing has ABSOLUTELY got to be working with my students, the highlight of each week is spending those four hours in a classroom directly with my students, hearing about their week and their ever evolving dreams and aspirations as they plan their future.

If you could describe College Forward in 5 words, what would they be?

Evolving, fun, committed, supportive, and challenging.

What has been your biggest accomplishment at College Forward thus far?

My greatest accomplishment thus far has been helping my students expand their notion of what college has to offer them, and assisting them in whatever way I can to bring that dream or goal to fruition.

What is your favorite thing about living in Houston?

I love the parks in Houston, on one of our many beautiful days I enjoy just taking my dog for a walk or having lunch in the park with a friend.

What is your favorite food?

I absolutely love Italian food and there are so many great options in Houston for all types of cuisine.

What kind of music do you listen to?

I really enjoy hip hop and soul music, I occasionally mix it up with some country music.

What is your favorite place to go in Houston?

I often visit the museums and the zoo in Houston, I am still very much a child on the inside so the Children's Museum has to be my favorite.

Do you have any talents or hobbies?

I have a talent for shopping...which could also be my hobby but in my spare time I really enjoy reading a good book or going for a swim

What is your favorite restaurant in Houston?

I really love Grande Luxe and Ruggles on the Green, the food is fresh and delicious and they have so many options, they are both also located in shopping centers, coincidence I think not.

And last but not least- what advice would you give to future coaches?

Make your students' goals your goals for your time with College Forward, commit yourself to their success and achievements and you will feel that you have served your term successfully and your students will benefit greatly from your commitment to them.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Coach Profile- Qiji Wang

Qiji Wang is one of the newest members of College Forward- Houston. He joined the organization in January 2012 and serves as a Junior College Coach at Sterling High School.

Where are you originally from?

I am from Zhengzhou, China and I came to the United States when I was 14 years old. I lived in Brooklyn, NY before moving to Houston to accept a position as a Junior College Coach.

Where did you graduate from?

Cuny City College with a Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry

What brought you to College Forward?

I have always been fascinated by the South, and moving to Houston is very alluring

What is your favorite thing about working here?

I like the many hats that I wear. My college friends see me as a community leader. Other teachers seem me as a team captain. But most importantly, my students see me as their big brother, who is going to guide them through their college application process.

If you could describe College Forward in 5 words, what would they be?

I would say College Forward is all about being fun, caring, loving, responsible, and knowledgeable

What has been your biggest accomplishment at College Forward thus far?

My biggest accomplishment so far is gaining my students' trust and helping them apply for scholarships