Education General

West College grad took a different path to success

Andy Newberry
19 January 2026
3 min read

Jeannette Page achieved a lifelong dream this fall, teaching in Lake Dallas (Texas) Independent School District. And in December, she became a graduate of Midwestern State University.

Page had many chances to give up on her dream, and nothing much came easily for her along the way. But determination earned her a Bachelor of Science in Education, graduating summa cum laude, from the West College of Education.

Page is 56 years old and just finished her clinical teaching with kindergartners and third-graders at Lake Dallas in Corinth, Texas.

The experience confirmed to her once again that her call is to “serve.”

Page said school was never easy for her growing up in Lufkin – she graduated from Lufkin High School in 1985 – and that she was labeled “slow,” and it always felt to her as if she had to work twice as hard to get half the results. She found out at Brookhaven College in the Dallas County Community College system that she was severely dyslexic.

She didn’t give up. Her dream was to be a teacher, but taking basics at different community colleges, it was hard for her to “find her footing” and see a path toward an education degree.

“One day I discovered Texas Woman’s University and fell in love with the field of Social Work,” Page said. “Helping people through their most difficult crises felt meaningful.”

Page earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from TWU in 1997. She said she was honored to serve hundreds of families facing major medical and end-of-life situations as a Medical Social Worker.

She transitioned to part-time work after the birth of her second child. She did volunteer work, substitute teaching, and served on the PTA. That only deepened her desire to pursue full-time teaching, so she explored certification programs.

A family member mentioned MSU Texas’ Flower Mound campus, and Page decided to enroll in Fall 2022. “It was not easy, especially for someone who lacked confidence and experience with online learning, but I refused to give up,” said Page, who was working multiple jobs at the same time.

She spent many evenings studying till closing time on the second floor of the Flower Mound campus. “That campus truly feels like one of the metroplex’s best-kept secrets,” Page said.

It’s a different experience from a traditional four years on a campus, but Page found great value with MSU Texas. “MSU challenged me, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and—most importantly—taught me how to navigate both my dyslexia and my test anxiety.

"I feel incredibly blessed to have learned from so many excellent professors. In particular, Mr. Swaggerty, Mrs. Bullard, and Dr. Reeves-Fyfe pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. They strengthened my research and technology skills, encouraged creativity, and taught me to apply best practices when working with students.”

At Lake Dallas in Fall 2025, Page was excited to have the opportunity to work at two separate grade levels. “Though the transition between grade levels was challenging, it allowed me to gain experience with younger and older learners, different teaching styles, and various curriculum demands. I now see that experience as a tremendous blessing.”

Her goal is to secure a classroom position as soon as possible and continue her education in pursuit of a graduate degree.

“Ultimately, my calling is to serve,” Page said. “I want to support and uplift students so that none of them feel misunderstood, frustrated, or ‘slow’ the way I once did. Today, countless tools and resources can help students thrive, and I want to use every one of them to make a difference. Every child deserves a teacher who will not give up on them. That is the kind of teacher I aspire to be!”

Advice that she can give by way of great experience is, “Don’t let age stand in the way of pursuing your dreams, and never be afraid to ask for help,” she said. “MSU professors truly want to support you, challenge you, and see you succeed—they want the very best for their students.”

(Photo caption: Jeannette Page instructs her kindergarten class at Lake Dallas School District in Corinth, Texas)