Carthage ISD is proud to celebrate three outstanding young educators who are already making an impact in the lives of students and have now officially earned their bachelor’s degrees while pursuing careers in public education.
Anna Koch, Austin Morgan, and Rebekah Powell each have unique stories, but they share something powerful in common: all three are children of longtime Carthage ISD educators and grew up witnessing the impact public education can have on students, families, and communities. Now, all three are choosing to continue that same calling by dedicating their own lives to serving and educating the next generation.
Their journeys are reminders that the impact of great educators reaches far beyond a single classroom. It inspires the next generation to lead, serve, teach, and pour back into the communities that helped shape them.
Anna Koch, a proud Tatum High School Class of 2020 graduate, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and certification in 4-8 Science from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. A current CISD substitute, Anna also earned both an Associate of Science and Associate of Teaching degree from Panola College. She will begin teaching 8th grade science next year at East Chambers Junior High.
Austin Morgan, a proud Carthage High School Class of 2021 graduate, earned his Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Austin currently serves students at Carthage Junior High School as a Special Education paraprofessional while also coaching football and baseball at CHS. During his time at Panola College, he earned academic honors and excelled as an all-conference outfielder for the Ponies. Austin will continue serving students in Carthage ISD as he begins the next chapter of his career in education.
Rebekah Powell, a proud Panola Early College High School Class of 2023 graduate and valedictorian, earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and certification to teach grades 4-8 Math from Stephen F. Austin State University. Rebekah completed much of her observation hours and field experience at Carthage Junior High School and completed her clinical teaching experience alongside mentor teacher Rachel Elliott at Baker-Koonce Intermediate School, where she taught 5th grade math and gained valuable classroom experience. Rebekah hopes to teach middle school math in our area.
All three graduates benefited from opportunities available right here at home through dual credit coursework, hands-on classroom experiences, and the continued partnership between Panola College and Stephen F. Austin State University. One of those opportunities is the “Panola Pathway” program, which allows students who earn teaching degrees at Panola College to continue toward a Bachelor of Science in Education through SFA while taking courses online and on the Panola campus. The program also provides classroom field experiences and preparation for Texas teacher certification exams, helping students pursue careers in education without leaving their home community behind.
Programs like Education Practicum, dual credit, and the Panola Pathway are helping students discover their passions, gain real-world experience, and build meaningful pathways into careers that make a difference. More importantly, they are helping put faces and stories to the future of public education in East Texas.
Public education is ultimately about people. It is about relationships, mentorship, encouragement, and communities investing in the next generation. Seeing students who were once sitting in classrooms across East Texas now preparing to lead classrooms of their own is a powerful reminder of why that work matters so deeply.
Congratulations again to Anna Koch, Austin Morgan, and Rebekah Powell. Carthage ISD, our community, and your families are so proud of you, and the future of public education is brighter because of young educators like you.