The world needs teachers.
Teaching is more than academics and a degree; it’s a calling--a calling many students receive during their time at North East ISD.
So, the District is dedicated to giving future teachers a head start.
MAC UP is a unique magnet program located at MacArthur High School for students interested in becoming educators.
MacArthur Senior Ava Richards has been in MAC UP since she was a freshman.
It was her calling.
“My mom and my sister are teachers,” said Richards. “My mom started teaching when I was in kindergarten, so I always helped her in her classroom. So, I think I always have had the heart to teach in a way.”
One of the biggest advantages of MAC UP is the program's partnership with the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Students in MAC UP can earn up to 58 college credit hours while in high school. They are fueling their passions and saving money on tuition costs.
“We take two classes at UTSA Monday through Thursday, and one class is more focused on education, and the other classes take a core class that we would normally take at MacArthur.”
Recently, the UTSA courses have been virtual, but when the classes are on-campus, NEISD provides transportation from the student’s home campus to MacArthur for MAC UP courses and UTSA for the dual credit courses.
Ava’s advice to other students thinking about the program: Just do it.
“We are like a family,” said Ava. “MacArthur is very welcoming, and I have learned so much about teaching and just being a college student. I would like to thank Mr. Chavez and Mr. Davidson for allowing the program to be what it is.”
The deadline to apply to MAC UP and all NEISD magnet programs is Feb. 7.
