For Dina Quinteros, pursuing a master’s degree in bilingual education began as a way to cope with her son’s deployment in the U.S. Army. What started as an emotional outlet transformed into a remarkable achievement that reinforced her two decades of experience as a bilingual education teacher.
Dina completed Texas A&M International University’s Master of Science in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Curriculum & Instruction in under a year with a perfect 4.0 GPA, while continuing to work as a pre-K bilingual teacher and team lead. She even kept up with her coursework while traveling to Paris and Germany to visit her son.
Flexible Online Learning Fits a Working Professional’s Life
Balancing full-time work and graduate studies required extraordinary dedication. In addition to teaching while pursuing her master’s, Dina mentored two first-year educators seeking bilingual teacher jobs. “I would dedicate at least two hours every evening and then my weekends were all my online program,” she shared.
This online education master’s program offered the flexibility Dina needed as a working professional. “Who could say that they did their master’s work while they were traveling in Europe?” Dina remarked. She adapted her study schedule while overseas, often working late into the night. “It was the right fit,” she said of the program’s flexibility.
Advanced Strategies and Practical Applications for Bilingual Educators
For experienced educators, this bilingual education degree builds upon years of classroom practice while introducing new methodologies. “It validated what I already knew I was doing right,” Dina explained. “As a bilingual educator, there’s so many things you think you cannot do, but then when you’re in the classroom, you see the need.”
The program’s immediate applicability stood out. “I would come back with ideas for my new teachers and tell them, ‘Look, I just went through this. We can apply it right now,'” she said. This connection between coursework and classroom practice enhanced her ability to mentor effectively.
Administrative and Faculty Supports Makes the Difference
Dina said she felt fully supported by the University from her initial inquiry through program completion. Advisors offered timely assistance, answered questions and motivated her to persevere. Strong faculty mentorship proved essential to Dina’s success. TAMIU Assistant Professor Dr. Gilda Y. Martínez provided support that extended beyond the classroom, especially during challenging statistics courses. “Dr. Martínez was able to guide me and tell me, ‘Dina, you’re able to do this,'” Dina recalled. “She helped me even after I completed her classes,” creating a lasting mentorship connection, she said.
Affordable Investment With Lasting Returns
As a first-generation college student, Dina understood the value of educational investment. She covered the program cost through bonuses and leadership roles within her charter district. The returns extended beyond financial considerations.
“I wasn’t looking at it as, ‘when am I getting my money back?’” she explained. “It’s not just the money that talks. It’s what you give back to the community.”
Her advanced degree equipped her to support bilingual students more effectively and mentor new educators with evidence-based practices. She also works with at-risk students, and her former kindergarten students who are now young adults often reach out to her. “I’ve had students who are having their quinceañera or they’re graduating from high school and they’re contacting me,” she said. “It’s nice to hear that a kindergartner who is now 20-some years old is remembering me. … It feels like I’m giving back more than the education part.”
To prospective students considering a Texas &M International University master’s in educational administration or curriculum development program, Dina offers straightforward advice: “You’ve got to do it. 100% dedication. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from anybody.”
About the TAMIU Master of Science in Bilingual Education
The online M.S. in Bilingual Education – Curriculum & Instruction at Texas A&M International University prepares educators to meet the growing demand for qualified bilingual professionals. This program features 100% online coursework delivered in accelerated, seven-week courses that are ideal for working professionals.
Program Benefits:
- Six start dates per year for maximum flexibility
- Affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition
- TEACH Grant eligible for qualified applicants
- Accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification
- 33 credit hours with options to complete in as little as one year
In addition to the online M.S. in Bilingual Education – Curriculum & Instruction, TAMIU offers three other M.S. in Bilingual Education specializations—educational leadership, reading and special education—as well as more than a dozen additional master’s degree programs in education. Learn more.
