Gateway director gets to work
on dropout problem
Obtaining a high school diploma and earning credit toward an associate's degree is program's goal.
By Bonnie Robin
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Features
Originally published: 2/15/07 at 3:18 PM CSTLast update: 2/16/07 at 9:43 AM CST
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The program gives at-risk high school students as well as drop- outs a second chance. Last year, in Bexar County alone, 1,500 students dropped out of high school. This program is designed to turn those statistics around.
The program's goal is for the student to obtain a high school diploma within two years, and earn college credit toward an associate's degree at the same time. Classes will be on this campus.
Students will be placed in a core group with 25 students and a team leader during the first semester in hopes they will build relationships and a sense of community; each student also will be provided counseling and receive an individual plan to achieve goals.
"We want every single student that comes through this program to know that we care about them and have absolute confidence that they can be successful," Cobb said.
A native Texan, Cobb graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southwest Texas State University and a master's in administration from Stephen F. Austin.
An ailing, beloved grandmother's wish was to see her first grandchild graduate from college. "I did my undergraduate degree in three years to fulfill my grandmother's wish. Years later, I wondered if it was a ploy when she was still alive to see me graduate with my master's degree," Cobb said.
Self-directed at an early age, Cobb knew her career choice by eighth grade. "I knew I would be a violin teacher or a physical education teacher."
Her freshman college music teacher announced, "You are in the wrong class." The college could not provide the musical degree she needed so she pursued a career in physical education instead.
Cobb's love of teaching has taken her from the challenges of the daily classroom to administrative positions such as vice principal, principal and associate superintendent for administration/operations of Comal School District. She has worked with all ages of students, from elementary, middle school and high school in Comal County to college age at Howard Payne University.
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