Third-grade dreamer to UW Tacoma graduate
Noemi Duncan鈥檚 lifelong dream of teaching becomes reality.
Elementary dreams; adult realities
Noemi Duncan has known since third grade that she wanted to be a teacher. She has the proof too鈥� a childhood yearbook where, beneath her school portrait, the words 鈥渁 teacher鈥� appear in her own handwriting.听
鈥淚 always keep that with me,鈥� Duncan says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so cute 鈥� and ever since then, 滨鈥檝别 never wanted to let my younger self down.鈥�听
This summer, Duncan will step into her own classroom as a full-time special education teacher 鈥� fulfilling the dream that began as a handwritten aspiration. She recently accepted a job offer in the same district where she completed her yearlong student teaching placement through . The opportunity, she says, is 鈥渁stonishing.鈥�听
Duncan places teaching materials on the board mid-lesson.
Real classrooms, real impact
Unlike many teacher prep programs, 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 in education offers a full-year classroom placement, allowing students to build relationships with teachers, families, and students over time. For Duncan, the experience cemented not just her skills 鈥� but her sense of purpose. Duncan transferred to UW Tacoma from Pierce College after receiving a and finding out the education program had been officially launched. 鈥淭he second they announced it, I was like, 滨鈥檝别 got to speak to the advisor. I need to get into this program,鈥� she says. She planned every step to ensure 蝉丑别鈥檇 qualify 鈥� reflecting the determination that has carried her through.听
"I鈥檓 a very patient person with an open heart,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 believe every child should have the opportunity to succeed, and they should never be defined by labels that hold them back."
It’s a family thing
The choice was also a family tradition. Duncan is the youngest of four sisters 鈥� all UW Tacoma students. Each earned a different degree, but all found a home on the same campus.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely been a family thing,鈥� she says, smiling.
As she prepares to lead her own classroom, Duncan carries with her a lifetime of inspiration, a year of hands-on experience, and the quiet determination of someone who never lost sight of what she was meant to do.
Duncan beams as she holds a sign reading 鈥淚nvest in the future of education.鈥�
At graduation, Duncan poses with Hendrix the Husky, proudly wearing a vibrant stole decorated with her students鈥� handprints.
