What you need to know
TISD announced its new P-TECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School, program called Tomball Academy of Future Educators, via news release. The TAFE program will focus on preparing TISD students for careers in education and teaching.
TAFE will be housed at Tomball West High School and will begin in August 2026, when the new school is set to officially open.
“TAFE will offer Tomball ISD students a seamless pathway from high school to college and into the educational workforce,” TISD officials said in the release.
In case you missed it
TAFE is the second program of its kind since TISD launched its first P-TECH program focused on health care in fall 2023, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
P-TECH is an open-enrollment high school that allows students to achieve both a high school diploma and a credential or associate degree, according to the Texas Education Agency.
The framework
TAFE will work as a partnership between TISD and Lone Star College-Tomball. Students enrolled in the P-TECH program will work toward an associate degree and work hands-on in district classrooms.
“As the demand for dedicated and well-prepared educators continues to rise, we believe it is our responsibility to invest in our students who are called to serve and lead in education,” TISD Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora said in the release.
Looking ahead
Applications to TAFE will be available this fall, while a lottery is set to take place in December. According to the news release, parent information nights will also be held.
“[TAFE] represents our shared commitment to strengthening education in our community. This partnership creates a ripple effect—TAFE participants gain valuable experience and preparation for their teaching careers, while the students they'll one day teach will benefit from their enhanced training and dedication to educational excellence,” Lone Star College-Tomball President Lee Ann Nutt said in the release.
