Sheryl Maxsom, Doctoral degree in Teaching, Learning and Culture
Sheryl Maxsom’s father, a high school dropout, had a goal to send his children to college. Fulfilling that goal, however, was difficult with no guidance or financial support.
Maxsom married her high school sweetheart, who joined the military. While they were stationed in Germany, Maxsom became a Sunday Bible school teacher. A friend suggested she pursue a career in education after seeing how she worked well with children.
She took that advice and ran with it. In 1989, Maxsom earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The University of Texas at El Paso. After graduation, she taught for five years in the Ysleta Independent School District (YISD). In 1997, she earned her master’s from Sul Ross State University and began to work in the central office of YISD, where she stayed for 10 years.
In 2007, she transferred to Canutillo Independent School District as an administrator. For the past five years, Maxsom has served as a principal at Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary School while working toward her doctorate.
“The University is an awesome experience for young people,” Maxsom said. “There’s a lot of support on campus, the professors are open to students who need that extra support. I think anybody who wants that education, we can get it for them at UTEP.”