Karla Flores ’19, ’24 named Outstanding Islander Graduate for College of Education and Human Development
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — For Karla Flores ’19, ’24, the journey into the field of education began long before she earned degrees and accolades. Growing up in Eagle Pass, Texas, a border town where Spanish was her first language, Flores was inspired by her aunt, a teacher who welcomed her into the classroom as a young helper.
“As my aunt’s assistant, I saw the profound impact educators have on their students’ lives,” Flores reflected.
For her efforts in and out of the classroom, Flores has been named the Fall 2024 Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She will earn a Master of Science in Special Education with a diagnostician certificate at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14.
“My degree and certification will help me empower students and their families, helping them navigate the system to access the support they need,” she explained.
When Flores first enrolled at TAMU-CC in 2006, she dreamed of becoming an elementary school teacher for bilingual students. However, as she worked as a special education paraprofessional at West Oso ISD, her perspective shifted. She found herself inspired by the resilience of her students, discovering a connection with the field of special education. As a first-generation college student, Flores faced financial challenges that required her to work full-time while pursuing her education part-time, often taking only one or two classes per semester. It took her 13 years to earn her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, but she never gave up hope.
“I knew that if I just kept going, I’d make it,” Flores said. “It wasn’t easy, but the support of my family and mentors kept me moving forward.”
One mentor who played a crucial role in Flores’s journey was Dr. Phyllis Robertson, her first special education professor at TAMU-CC. Flores said Roberston helped her build confidence in her abilities and guided her to pursue higher education with intentionality.
“Having Dr. Robertson’s guidance made all the difference,” Flores said. “She inspired me to be the best version of myself for my students.”
Flores also expressed gratitude for a West Oso ISD-funded grant that helped pay for her master’s degree, a program she is completing with a 4.0 GPA.
Now in her thirteenth year at West Oso Elementary as a dyslexia specialist, Flores’ classroom is a hub of creativity and support. She’s created unique learning experiences, including partnering with a local artist to bring an art lesson to her students.
“When Karla was working with a student who was not making expected progress, rather than finding fault with the student, she sought out support and made significant instructional changes,” Robertson said. “She is the kind of student who is passionate about moving the field of special education forward.”
Reflecting on her journey as a young girl inspired by her aunt’s classroom to a future diagnostician is a testament to resilience, community support, and an unwavering commitment to her students.
“I’m blessed to have been greatly influenced by the community on the island and motivated to serve as a role model for my students and colleagues,” Flores said. “If I can be for my students what my mentors were for me, then I know I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do. Ella creyó que podía y lo dominó! — which means, ‘She believed she could, so she mastered it!’”
