She’s the mother of five—from a 4-year-old to a freshman at Texas Tech. She’s a student at UHD Northwest, currently teaching third grade through the Gators2Teachers program. She’s President of the Be a Teacher Club and Associate Dean of Community Engagement of DAIR to Teach. The best part? She graduates in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Education for Early Childhood through Grade Six with Bilingual Supplement.

Meet Lucia Romo.

How does she manage it all? When asked, Romo just laughs. “Color coding. I’m juggling five schedules along with my own, so I color code my kids on my planner. My days are planned by the hour.”

With a contract to teach with Klein ISD next fall assured, Romo personifies student success. But the road to becoming an elementary school teacher was never direct, nor certain.

“Teaching has always been my dream, but then marriage and kids happened. In 2016, I started taking a few courses, but I didn’t know if I would make it. I am first generation. My parents were immigrants.” The unexpected death of her father took an emotional toll, and she took a couple of semesters off.  “I had a hard time. Thankfully, Lone Star College-University Park professors guided me through the reset. After earning my Associate of Arts in Teaching, I knew I wanted something more and that becoming a teacher was attainable.”

She began her studies at UHD in 2022 as a transfer student. “I considered another university before UHD. In comparing tuition rates, I was blown away. I was sold after doing my research, and UHD became my first choice. I loved it because I knew the buildings already, and it felt like home.”

She found the faculty to be great mentors, not just as professors but as well-rounded human beings. “You automatically feel the connection. You feel that they care.  I’m really happy that UHD became my first choice.”

She credits Dr. Steven White as one of her mentors as well as Professor Johanna Byrd Moye, the advisor for the Be a Teacher Club. “She goes beyond what happens in the classroom. She will lead the way and hold your hand if you are struggling until you feel safe again.” Romo also called  Professor Catalina Lugo “an angel.”  She’s the faculty member who preps students for the state exam for the bilingual component, which Romo has already passed. “Her emotional support makes all the difference.”

Starting last fall, Romo began participating in the new Gators2Teachers program, giving her an entire year of student teaching experience in the classroom, not just the standard one semester. “I am getting the full experience of seeing the kids grow over an entire school year with the benefit of a mentor teacher at my side.” Unusual for a residency program, she’s also getting paid as a paraprofessional. Next fall? She’ll teach full time in Klein ISD. Ultimately, she wants to teach second graders, her favorite age.

“Over time, my dream started feeling real. Teaching was something I was passionate about—beyond my family—that really gave me my drive. I’m loving every step of the way.”