How Teachers Can Transform the Mindset of Their Communities

Taking College from Aspiration to Expectation, for All Students

By Isabel Hejazi, National Enterprise Account Executive, McGraw Hill

At McGraw Hill, our work is informed by the experiences of the many former educators on our staff. This series highlights their perspectives.

Education has the power to reshape futures. My journey — from growing up in the border town of Laredo, Texas, to working in urban schools in Houston and finally embracing online learning at McGraw Hill — has taught me that every child deserves an equitable path to success. This blog shares my story, actionable strategies for educators, and the lessons learned along the way.

Roots in Laredo: My Story

I was born in Laredo, Texas, a city where nearly 98% of the population is Latino. Growing up in a close-knit, culturally rich community, I never felt the need to label myself Latina. I did not even use “Latina” until I moved to Houston. My parents, both college-educated, instilled in me the belief that going to college was not just an option — it was a given. This early foundation shaped my vision of education as a guaranteed opportunity for success.

After attending college in San Antonio, Texas, I accepted a position as a bilingual pre-kindergarten (PK) teacher in Aldine ISD, an urban school district in Houston. I entered the district with high hopes, expecting that the student population would mirror the vibrant community I knew in Laredo. I assumed that language would be the only common thread. However, I was in for a shock.

In Aldine, I quickly realized that while language connected us, our educational and socioeconomic backgrounds were vastly different. Many of my students came from households where a college education was seen as a distant dream rather than a certainty. This eye-opening experience pushed me to rethink my approach to teaching and community engagement.

The Uniforms and University Unit: Introduction to Career Pathways for Young Learners

In my first year at Aldine, I designed a thematic unit centered around the letter U. This unit explored the concepts of uniforms, careers, and universities.

The idea was simple: to introduce young learners to the notion that different careers require specific academic pathways.

The Lesson in Detail

• Uniform Selection: Students chose uniforms that they felt best represented a career.
• University Connection: They then selected a university that aligned with their career choice.
• Real-Life Application: One student chose to be a doctor and picked Texas A&M as his university. I sent home a picture and a brochure of the university to spark enthusiasm.

The plan was to empower students with the idea that they could reach these high aspirations. However, the next day, the student came back in tears. His father had dismissed his dream by saying, “You’re a liar,” insisting that his son could only follow in his footsteps as a waiter. This moment was not only heartbreaking, but it was transformative for my career.

Understanding the Community: Challenges and Insights

That painful encounter forced me to dig deeper into the barriers faced by the families in our community. I embarked on informal research by:

• Listening to Parents: Conversations revealed that while parents aspired for their children to attend college, it was rarely seen as an expectation.
• Identifying Gaps: I learned that a college education was a concept filled with hope and aspiration but was disconnected from everyday reality for many families.

This understanding shifted my mission: I needed to bridge the gap between aspiration and expectation.

How Teachers Can Transform the Mindset of Their Communities

Educators looking to transform the mindset of their communities can adopt several practical strategies. Here are some actionable initiatives based on my experience:

Integrate College Conversations into Daily Learning

Why It Works: Embedding the idea of higher education in everyday lessons helps normalize college as a goal.

How to Do It:

• During math lessons, explain how numbers are not just for arithmetic but are essential in careers like engineering, law, and teaching.
• For literacy lessons, discuss how strong communication skills can open doors to higher education and diverse career opportunities.

Thematic Units That Connect Learning to Real-Life Outcomes

Why It Works: Thematic units create relatable and engaging content that ties classroom learning to future opportunities.

How to Do It:

• Design units that connect everyday topics (like uniforms or numbers) to career paths and college education.
• Allow students to choose a career and research the educational requirements, thereby making abstract concepts tangible.

Involve Community Partners

Why It Works: Bringing in real-world voices can demystify the college application process and financial planning.

How to Do It:

• Invite local banks to speak about saving for college.
• Arrange for high school counselors to explain the college application process in the community’s native language.
• Organize college fairs where parents and older students can learn more about the opportunities available.

Host Informational Events for the Entire Community

Why It Works: Engaging the broader community reinforces the message that higher education is within reach.

How to Do It:

• Plan events like college fairs at the PK center.
• Offer workshops that involve parents and community members in the educational journey of their children.

These strategies not only foster a culture of educational aspiration but also provide a concrete framework for teachers to help students and families see college as an attainable goal.

Motivated by my experiences, I pursued a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, focusing on resolving the gap between aspiration and expectation. Through my studies, I learned a variety of methods for altering community mindsets. Integrating discussions about college education into everyday classroom activities became a cornerstone of my approach. This academic journey reaffirmed my belief that change starts with early exposure and consistent messaging.

Embracing Online Learning for Equitable Education

My passion for educational transformation did not stop in the classroom. I soon realized that one of the major obstacles students face is the inequity of educational opportunities, often determined by their zip codes. Online learning emerged as a powerful solution to this problem. Here’s how:

• Equitable Access: Online platforms break down geographic barriers, providing all students — regardless of their location — with access to quality education.
• Personalized Learning: Digital tools allow for customized learning experiences that cater to individual student needs.
• Community Impact: By leveraging online learning, educators can ensure that every student has the chance to succeed, no matter where they live.

My work in online learning has spanned roles as a district administrator and a contributor to edtech companies. The goal has always been the same: to level the playing field and close the gaps in educational equity.

My Journey Continues

Today, I am excited to continue my journey at McGraw Hill, a company that shares my passion for transforming education. Working alongside like-minded professionals, I am committed to making a meaningful impact in the field of online learning and educational technology. My career — from the humble beginnings in Laredo to the urban classrooms of Houston and now to the innovative world of edtech — has been a testament to the power of persistence and the belief that education can change lives.

My journey has been filled with unexpected challenges and transformative moments. Each step — from that heartbreaking day with my student to the realization of the importance of equitable education — has taught me valuable lessons. I hope that by sharing my story and these actionable strategies, other educators can also inspire change in their communities.

Remember, every conversation about education is a chance to open a door for a child. It’s not just about teaching a subject; it’s about building a future where every student sees college as a possibility, not just an aspiration.

Dr. Isabel Hejazi grew up in the border town of Laredo, Texas, immersed in both American and Mexican cultures. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, initially drawn to cognitive psychology and language acquisition. However, after becoming a teacher, she discovered her true passion for education. She later worked as a district administrator while earning her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Houston. Her interest in educational equity and technology led her to the EdTech industry, where she has focused on leveraging technology to improve learning outcomes. In October 2024, she joined McGraw Hill, excited to continue making a meaningful impact in education. Outside of work, she loves traveling with her husband, Pooya, and their two sons, Aryan and Aarad, with South Africa being their favorite destination to connect with nature.