Teacher Education Alumnus Spotlight: Jacob Ulbricht

Jacob Ulbricht ’17 BA graduated with a minor in education from the Teacher Education Program at the Dreeben School of Education. Learn about Jacob's story as an alumnus of UIW and his journey to becoming an 8th Grade U.S. History Teacher and Coach at Comal Independent School District.

Why did you choose to study at UIW?:

I chose UIW because they were one of the few schools to offer me a chance to compete in track and field at the collegiate level. Once I attended my first official visit and found out that the graduation and passing rates of the students in the education field were one of the highest in the state, it secured my trust in the University.

How has UIW contributed to your success?

Mostly, by allowing me to be around a great number of individuals with the same passions as me that are willing to work, communicate and press for higher understandings. This encompasses the education portion of my college years, along with the other non-degree focused classes I underwent. My sports coaches were also incredibly helpful by not simply telling me what to do to achieve higher athletic goals, but why they would create workouts the way that they did. It has helped me to fashion and adapt to the different types of athletes and focus on what they need to be the best athlete they can be.

What’s your favorite memory of UIW?

I have two favorite memories. The first one is when the Education group was invited by the Kinesiology majors to go bowling. On a Friday morning, the entire Education class went bowling together having a great time without having to worry about school work. The second would have to be the track meet road trips and having myself and other teammates set records and win medals at conference track meets.

What advice do you have for current students?

Do not be in any hurry to get out of college. Some of the best people you'll ever meet are there and you're going to want to stay in that lifestyle after your years have passed. Also, the professors are not teaching you just any boring content. They are teaching you these things because it directly applies to everything you'll do in the career path you've chosen.

Would you like to share an academic accomplishment?

I was awarded the VFW post Teacher of the Year in 2021. The students were tasked with writing an essay concerning a certain patriotic subject as announced by the local VFW. Teachers submitted a more personal essay and my writing was 1st in the region and taken to the state level where my writing went no further.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

The students here, as goofy, silly and knuckle-headed as they can be sometimes, are awesome. None of these things that I've accomplished mean anything without the students and their attitudes and mindsets that they have to one day take on the world. That and the coworkers here that work to make their students and athletes the best they can be.