As a little girl, Gabriela “Gabby” Alegria walked the halls of Fairview Elementary as a student. This spring, as a senior at Porter Ridge High School, she returned to those same halls—this time as a future educator, working alongside third-grade teacher Misty Tarlton and learning firsthand what it takes to lead a classroom.
“It was very nostalgic,” Gabby said.“Everything that used to seem so big to me looked tiny. I was walking the same halls, but now the kids looked up to me. It felt like a full-circle moment.”
Gabby is part of Union County Public Schools’ Next Stop: Teach UCPS initiative, which provides high school students with multiple pathways to explore and prepare for a career in education.
She chose the Pre-Apprentice Pathway, a part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) offered at Porter Ridge and Weddington High Schools. Through coursework, job shadowing and an in-classroom internship, Gabby gained early insight into teaching—and confirmed that it’s exactly where she belongs.
“I always loved working with kids,” she said. “My family calls me a ‘baby magnet.’ I used to play school with my friends and insist on being the teacher.”
Her internship gave her the chance to live out that childhood dream in a real classroom. Gabby said the most fulfilling part was building relationships with the students and helping them grow academically and emotionally.
“They were still full of curiosity and energy, but they were also becoming more independent,” she said. “It was rewarding to see that shift and know I was helping them build confidence.”
Next year, Gabby will begin working full-time as an instructional assistant in a first-grade classroom at East Elementary while earning her associate degree in teacher preparation from South Piedmont Community College (SPCC). After that, she plans to transfer to Wingate University to pursue her bachelor’s in education.
“The fact that I can graduate from high school and immediately start working in a classroom feels like a dream come true,” she said.
Financial barriers won’t stand in her way. Thanks to the Gateway to Wingate Scholarship, her tuition at Wingate will stay under $2,500 a year. Gabby also earned a $5,000 scholarship from Participate Learning.
“Gabby is one of the best examples of why we are so passionate about Next Stop: Teach UCPS,” said Marlowe Newsome, her Teaching as a Profession instructor. “She has been able to grow her teaching and leadership skills. Now, she is able to keep gaining valuable experience working while also pursuing her degree. As her teacher, I am proud of all she has accomplished and excited to see her journey moving forward.”
Gabby traces her passion for teaching back to her own elementary years. She credits two former teachers—Kelly Taylor and Cindy Helms—for inspiring her career path and empowering her with a sense of confidence she still carries today.
“They were both so supportive and always used their words to lift me up,” she said. “Ms. Helms once told me, ‘You’ve grown into such a strong young woman,’ and I’ve carried that with me ever since. I want to be that person for someone else.”
In high school, Gabby also served on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, where she advocated for student voices and helped shape district decisions. That leadership role only deepened her belief that every child deserves to feel seen, heard and supported—something she hopes to offer her future students.
“I want to be a teacher who makes students feel safe and seen,” she said. “Someone who believes in them before they believe in themselves.”
Gabby’s mentor and cooperating teacher saw that same spark in her from the very first day.
“She is going to be an amazing teacher,” Tarlton said. “I know she loves the phrase ‘Be Kind,' but when I think of her, I think… Be the LIGHT. She was always a ray of sunshine in my classroom.”
Gabby’s story is proof that Union County Public Schools doesn’t just talk about preparing future educators—it delivers. By investing in students early, breaking down barriers and providing real opportunities, the district is shaping the next generation of teachers who will transform classrooms and communities.
This is more than a pipeline. It’s a legacy of excellence — and it starts with leaders like Gabby.
06/03/2025
