In Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), every educator’s journey is different — shaped by resilience, dedication, and a deep belief in the power of education. For THRIVE participant Sharon Sealy, the path to becoming a certified teacher wasn’t marked by a single defining moment, but by a lifelong calling.

Before joining the THRIVE program, Sealy spent nine years as a teacher assistant at Wildcat Way School (WWS), supporting early childhood learners with care and consistency. Prior to her time in SBISD, she also served as a teacher and assistant in the private education sector.

“I have always loved working with kids,” Sealy shared. “So, there wasn’t really a big moment where I decided this is what I want to do. It’s just always been there.”

When she learned about SBISD’s homegrown THRIVE program — a partnership with the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) — Sealy saw an opportunity to take the next step in her career with the guidance she knew she would need.

“It had been a very long time since I’d been to college, and going back was very difficult. I needed a support system,” she said. “THRIVE provided that for me. The support from both UHV and SBISD has been incredible.”

The most challenging part of the transition? Getting back into “student mode” while balancing a full-time job. “It was a big adjustment. Finding that balance between work and school was hard at first,” Sealy admitted.

But with each challenge came new growth — and meaningful relationships that helped her stay the course. Now at Thornwood Elementary (TWE), Sealy has embraced a whole new teaching environment: third grade.

“I had spent all of my career in early childhood, so moving to a third-grade classroom was a big shift,” she said. “One day, I was assisting in a fifth-grade class, and I recognized a student from Wildcat Way. She remembered me. Seeing how much she had grown reminded me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

She says the support and encouragement from the Thornwood team have been instrumental in her success. “The connections I’ve made through THRIVE and here at Thornwood have been so rewarding. I’ll always treasure them.”

Sealy describes her teaching style as “firm but loving”, and she hopes her students remember her as someone who was kind, fair, and deeply invested in their success.

Her personal motto? “You can do anything if you believe in yourself.”

To her, becoming a certified teacher in SBISD is more than a professional achievement — it’s a full-circle moment.

“It means I now get to give back to the district that believed in me,” she said.

Her advice for future THRIVE participants is simple and heartfelt: “Go for it.” She’s already encouraged one of the paraprofessionals at Thornwood to apply for the next cohort.

“I tell them — the district will support you. You won’t be doing this alone.”

Today, Sharon Sealy is living proof that with the right support, a strong community, and belief in yourself, the journey from assistant to teacher is not only possible — it’s transformative.