Our Mission at 240 Certification

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I haven’t watched a single minute of the last two super bowls. It’s been amazing.

Why do you love working at 240?

Too many reasons to list! It’s the best company I’ve ever worked for, and I feel truly fulfilled in my roles. Our mission is inspiring, our leadership is transparent, and our team is incredible.

Former Texas Teacher

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone studying for their certification test?

Don’t rely solely on practice tests—surface-level knowledge won’t improve your chances of passing. Review the TExES Preparation Manual, learn key concepts, and use resources like 240 Tutoring. Then, take a practice test, analyze your results, and refine your understanding. You’ve got this!

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

Mr. Neil Smith, my high school band director, was more than a teacher he was a mentor who pushed us to excel while genuinely caring for us. Through his leadership, I learned discipline, teamwork, and accountability skills that still impact me today. Some of my best memories come from winning the 2A State Championship under his direction.

Former Texas Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

My favorite teacher was Pam Franklin, my high school English teacher and cheer coach. She believed in me, nurtured my leadership skills, and supported me through life’s challenges. Her genuine care and encouragement left a lasting impact on who I am today.

What’s a small win that always makes your day better?

Checking off most of my to-do list and finding a way to brighten someone else’s day no matter how small are little wins that always leave me feeling accomplished and uplifted.

Former Texas and Oklahoma Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

Mrs. G! She was my first grade teacher and showed me just how important it is to build strong relationships with students. She still sends our family Christmas cards every year and continues to be a constant supporter to this day!

Why do you love working at 240?

The people! Every day, everyone shows up with a heart for teachers and students, along with unwavering support for each other.

Former Missouri and Texas Teacher

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

Throughout my teaching career, I’ve been certified in four different states!

What was your favorite subject in school?

Reading! Growing up in Puerto Rico, books were hard to come by, so whenever I got one, it felt like an escape. Whether reading a story or acting out a play, it gave me a way to step into a whole new world.

What’s a small win that always makes your day better?

The best part of my day is helping applicants and providing clarity to their questions. I love hearing, “I feel so much better after speaking with you” it truly makes my day to know I’ve made a difference.

What was your favorite subject in school?

I enjoyed many subjects in school, but I always excelled in English. English is my second language. I didn’t speak it when I started kindergarten, but by high school, I was in honors and AP English. I owe my love of reading to my amazing English teachers who introduced me to the classics.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone studying for their certification test?

Take your time, and when test day comes, DO NOT eat a heavy breakfast.

What’s your favorite motivational quote or saying?

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

Former Texas Teacher

If you could swap roles with a teacher for a day, what grade level would you teach?

I would want to be a librarian! Surrounded by books, books, and more books!

What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone studying for their certification test?

Take care of yourself physically. Sleep, rest your eyes, eat properly. If you don't take care of yourself, you can not take care of business.

Former Texas Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

Mrs. Burns, my third-grade ELAR teacher, always went the extra mile to make class fun and special. She also took the time to help me find books I truly enjoyed during a time when I didn’t like reading.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone studying for their certification test?

Trust the process! Take your time, put in the work, and believe that it will all pay off in the end.

Former Texas Teacher

If you could swap roles with a teacher for a day, what grade level would you teach?

Second! It was always my favorite level to teach. Students have gotten a taste of learning and they want to learn so much more! They are eager learners!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone studying for their certification test?

Learn terminology. Learn and really understand how to apply it. And carefully read the questions!

Former Texas Teacher

If you could swap roles with a teacher for a day, what grade level would you teach?

I would teach eighth grade math! I loved my time in eighth grade as a math teacher and would love to go back for a day.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I’m a twin!

Former Texas Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

My high school volleyball coach, Amanda McMeans. She invested in us as more than just athletes. She cared about us as people!

If you could swap roles with a teacher for a day, what grade level would you teach?

Kindergarten! Only taught middle school and high school, but love the littles.

Former Texas Teacher

If you could swap roles with a teacher for a day, what grade level would you teach?

If I could swap roles with a teacher, I would choose to teach middle school specifically 6th-grade math. This is such a pivotal time in a student’s life, full of growth and change, and I would love to be a strong, positive influence during this transition. I’d focus on building their confidence in math while also supporting their personal development.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Math! Math was always easy…. 1+1 = 2!

Former Texas Teacher

If you had to take teacher certification test, which one do you think you could pass on the first-try?

Definitely Social Studies 4-8 and/or 7-12! I was a history major and taught Social Studies for 15 years.

What’s your favorite motivational quote?

“Winning is fun… sure. But winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point.” – Pat Summitt

Former Texas Teacher

What was your favorite subject in school?

Science, specifically chemistry, was my favorite subject in school. I had an incredible teacher, Mr. Bouyer, who made every lesson engaging, hands-on, and fun. His passion for the subject inspired me to think critically and stay curious about how the world works. He even had a section where we’d perform cool experiments in front of the elementary students that he called “Chem-Magic.” He was like a real life Hogwarts professor!

What’s your favorite motivational quote or saying?

My favorite motivational quote comes from the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller:
“Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself.”

I love this quote because it captures the powerful influence that passionate teachers, leaders, and mentors can have on our lives. When someone genuinely loves what they do, that passion is contagious. It inspires us to care, to grow, and to strive for more. It’s a reminder of the kind of impact we can have on others when we lead with purpose and heart.

Former Texas Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up? And why?

My favorite teacher of all time was Deborah Schwan, she was both my 3rd and 4th Grade teacher. She made learning feel fun and loved us as if we were her own children. I will forever be grateful for the impact she had on me!

What’s a small win that always makes your day better?

My daily litmus test is asking myself, “Did I help someone today?” Every time I can answer that with a YES, means I have seen success and that motivates me to continue further.

Former Texas Teaxher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

My favorite teacher growing up was Mrs. Georgia Ann Pristernik because she made 2nd grade so much fun. I will never forget her goody box that we all loved pulling surprises out of!

If you could swap roles with a teacher for a day, what grade level would you teach?

CTE Teaching and Learning at the high school level I’ve always wanted to be a teacher who helps future teachers. As a high school student, I had the opportunity to take this CTE class, and it played a big role in shaping me into the educator I am today!

Former Texas Teacher

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

A fun fact about me that most people don’t know is that I completed an alternative certification program to become a teacher in Texas.

What’s your favorite motivational quote or saying?

“The best competition I have is against myself to become better.” – John Wooden

Former Texas Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

Mrs. Janet Davis was my favorite teacher because she pushed me to grow and never let me just get by. She challenged me to adapt, gave me leadership opportunities, and set high expectations. She was not only my favorite high school teacher but also my mentor during my first year in education.

What’s your favorite motivational quote?

If you give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day. If you teach a man how to fish, you will feed him for a lifetime.

Former Texas Teacher

If you had to take teacher certification test, which one do you think you could pass on the first-try?

EC-6 Core Subjects or the STR just because that is what I spent almost 10 years focused on! (Is that cheating, haha?)

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone studying for their certification test?

Don’t try to cram. Break it into chunks over a certain time span and really absorb the information.

Former Texas Teacher

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I bake and decorate cakes. I also play the bass guitar!

What’s your favorite motivational quote?

“The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you!” B.B. King

Who was your favorite teacher growing up?

Ms. Taylor, my fifth-grade math teacher, made class enjoyable and is the reason I fell in love with math. She was patient, enthusiastic, and explained things in a way that built my confidence. No matter how my day started, I always left her class smiling.

Why do you love working at 240?

I love working at 240 because we are more than just a team. Everyone genuinely cares about each other’s success, growth, and well-being.