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Vanessa Castro-Correa of Surry County wasn’t quite sure what her next steps after high school would look like. However, one education class at Surry Community College would change everything.

Like many teenagers, Castro-Correa was unsure of whether she would attend college following high school. During her junior year, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, giving her ample time to think about her future. After deciding to take a couple of courses at SCC while still in high school, she decided to further her education. Following Castro-Correa’s 2021 Surry Central High School graduation, she enrolled at SCC, while still undecided about her major.

“I enrolled in general education courses along with a few classes in different fields to discover what I truly enjoyed,” recalls Castro-Correa. “Everything changed when I took an education course with Janet Sutphin [SCC Education Instructor]. Through her class, I had the opportunity to spend time in local schools, and I quickly fell in love with working with students.”

Castro-Correa mentions conversations with Sutphin and Kayla Norman, Lead Instructor – Education, cemented her desire to pursue an Associate in Arts for Teacher Preparation degree at Surry. “I appreciated that my instructors took the time to answer my questions and genuinely cared about my success.”

She credits the small class sizes at Surry in allowing her to build meaningful relationships with her instructors, that may not have been possible at larger, four-year universities. Surry’s location was also a factor in Castro-Correa’s decision in pursuing her degree mentioning that staying close to home made college more affordable while providing her with the support and encouragement she need to succeed.

Through the Lees-McRae College Transfer Program, Castro-Correa was able to complete a Bachelor of Science in K-6 Education on Surry’s Dobson campus in 2025.

One experience in particular assured her that she had found her calling. During a classroom observation at Rockford Elementary School – the same school that she had attended – Castro-Correa worked with a young girl who didn’t speak English. “As someone who speaks Spanish, I was able to communicate with her, and I could see how much more comfortable and confident she became. That experience made me realize how much of a difference a classroom teacher can make every single day. I loved working with her and all of the other students, and it confirmed that teaching was exactly what I wanted to do.”

Now, as an elementary school teacher, Castro-Correa’s bilingual abilities continue to make a mark on her teaching career. She recalls a meaningful moment during her first year of teaching when a student’s mother thanked her for communicating in Spanish and helping her feel reassured that her child’s needs were being met.

During her time at Surry, Castro-Correa was involved in SCC’s education club, Club Ed. She participated in events such as Read Across America, and SCC’s Spooktacular and Eggstravaganza, strengthening her passion in working with children.

After completing student-teaching at Copeland Elementary School, Castro-Correa was offered a position as a first-grade teacher. “I’ll be honest – I was nervous because I had never pictured myself teaching first grade. During the first day of school, for a few seconds, I panicked. The students were nervous, and so was I. But I took a deep breath, smiled, and got started. Looking back now, it’s one of my favorite memories because it was the beginning of an incredible year.”

“Many students come into first grade barely reading, and by the end of the year, they’re reading books, writing complete sentences, solving problems on their own, and becoming confident learners,” says Castro-Correa. “But I get to teach them so much more than reading and math. I get to help students learn how to be kind, respectful, and responsible.”

Castro-Correa acknowledges that the road to achieving her dreams hasn’t been easy. As a first-generation college graduate and the youngest of four children, she mentions that a lot of time and dedication is required, oftentimes putting her coursework above spending time with loved ones. “There were times when I felt overwhelmed because I didn’t always know what I was doing or what to expect. And although my family couldn’t always answer my questions about college, they never stopped encouraging me.”

Looking back at her time at Surry, Castro-Correa believes that she had the appropriate foundation to succeed. She praises the tutoring services, the Writing Center, and the Media Center. “Surry gave me the support, encouragement, and opportunities I needed to succeed.”

For those considering a career in education, Castro-Correa offers advice that was given to her on her first day of college. “Find your why. It is a very bumpy ride with lots of highs and lows, and in those low moments, it’s important to remember your why to get you through those tough days. Focus on the positives, find balance, and take care of yourself. Teaching is truly an amazing and rewarding career.”

Now at Dobson Elementary School, Castro-Correa is preparing for her second year of teaching. She plans to continue her career in the education field and has recently registered to begin a National Board Certification. She hopes to one day earn a master’s degree and possibly teach Spanish at the high school level.