Meet the Instructors Valerie A. Hearn and George Brooks
As an animal-lover from my childhood, I have followed an exciting path to lead me here to CCTE to start El Paso youth on their own path in the animal industries. I received my Bachelor's of Science in Animal Science, minor in Biology, from Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M system. My studies there started in the Pre-Veterinary direction, and I worked as a Veterinary Assistant for both a small/exotic animal clinic and a small/large animal clinic. However, things took a turn toward Animal Nutrition in the later years with the opportunity to work as an intern for the Fort Worth Zoo. I learned diet preparations for all the zoo, diet formulations, and I performed nutritional research with their Nutritional Services Department. Continuing my education at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, I earned a Master's Degree in Animal Nutrition. My family life kept me in the area, settling in El Paso where I started teaching Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at El Paso High School. It was there that I discovered a love for teaching and came to know the amazing population of youth in El Paso. With a passion for the exotics, I siezed the opportunity to educate the masses that visit El Paso Zoo each year. As an Education Specialist, I created and presented animal programs, interpreted activites of the animals and their keepers for the public, and trained new staff and volunteers in the handling of the Education Animal Collection, including a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even bugs! These combined experiences seemed to have come together at the perfect time in 2012 as El Paso ISD's Center for Career & Technology Education sought to begin a two-year program to teach its youth the skills needed to become Certified Veterinary Assistants. I have had an amazing time helping create the program and preparing the students for careers in veterinary and other animal industries. We look forward to expanding the program and welcoming more students to the Veterinary Sciences in the coming years! -Valerie
George Brooks has had a long history with El Paso ISD having worked as an Agriculture teacher at Coronado High School and as an administrator at CCTE some years back. Mr. Brooks is teaching the senior level classes in the Veterinary Science Technology program at CCTE, giving students many opportunities to learn about livestock production through his own experience in the world of agriculture. He is also helping prepare the seniors for certification exams and college or technical school as many of the students will take steps toward becoming a Veterinary Technician or Doctor in Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, Mr. Brooks has brought the Future Farmers of America (FFA) club back to CCTE, further enhancing agricultural education and leadership for VST students.
Contact Information
1170 Walnut El Paso, TX, 79930 915-236-7900 ext 17935 (Hearn) and 17937 (Brooks) Rooms 237, 238, 243 and 244