¡Bravo, Sra. Vehrs! From Classroom to Capstone

For Sra. Xiomara Vehrs, long-time Cornerstone Spanish teacher, education never ends. Today, read about her recent academic success as we’re reminded that the best teachers are those who never stop being students themselves.   
 

Balancing Act: Teaching and Learning

Sra. Vehrs has always been passionate about her role as a Spanish teacher, bringing excitement and dedication to her Cornerstone classroom for nearly 15 years. Recently, she decided to invest in her professional growth by enrolling in a master's program at The Universidad Autónoma del Noreste. (UANE), a private educational institution based in the city of Saltillo, in the state of Coahuila, Mexico.

Balancing her responsibilities as a Spanish I, II, and III teacher, the Foreign Language Department Chair, and managing her studies has been no small feat. Still, her commitment to excellence is an inspiration. “After COVID-19, the Master's in Education program was offered online, which made it possible to balance my work, family, and studies thanks to Cornerstone’s flexible University-Model®,” said Vehrs.   

Why a Master's Degree?

Sra. Vehr's decision to pursue a master's degree in teaching was motivated by several factors. First, she wanted to deepen her knowledge and improve her teaching skills. Secondly and maybe more importantly, it was about setting an example for her students. "I want my students to see that learning is a lifelong journey. If I can inspire even one student to pursue higher education, it’s worth it," she explained.

“Pursuing a master's degree was a personal goal,” added Vehrs. “ I completed my two undergraduate degrees (Human Resources and Teacher Training) in Mexico and wanted to continue my studies with a master's degree. Thanks to the online format, I was able to achieve this goal.”

Applying New Knowledge

Last year, Sra. Vehrs taught Spanish to a student from the Latin American Association, who was so pleased with the class that they referred her to the manager of the OLLI Program at Kennesaw State University. “Since October 2023, I have been teaching in that program, drawing on my experience as a Spanish teacher at Cornerstone and applying the knowledge from my master's degree in education,” said Vehrs.

As she steps back into her classroom this fall, she carries with her not only a new degree but also a renewed passion for teaching and a commitment to continuous improvement. “I’m excited to get back to school, " adds Vehrs. “ I especially love Cornerstone because I can openly talk about Jesus with my students and staff.” Sra. Vehr's story reminds us all that education is an ongoing process, and the best teachers are those who never stop being students themselves. 

Here at Cornerstone, we offer a wide array of electives for all grades, including fine arts, technology, physical education, STEM, and foreign language classes. This year, we are excited that Spanish I, II, and III will be taught by Sra. Vehrs. Latin I and II will be taught by Mrs. Kerri Holmes, and Latin III will be taught by Mrs. Tracie Setzler. Click here to learn how a second language can create endless opportunities!     

Students, Back to School is quickly approaching! Have you completed the required grade level summer assignments yet?  Click this link for everything you need to know about summer assignments and Back to School.