Camp teachers promote a future in medicine
The Future Doctors Summer Camp program, a collaboration between Dallas ISD and Texas A&M University, offers high school students an opportunity to get their feet wet in the healthcare field. Two educators, Ania Henderson and Lawanna Evans shared their insights on the program’s impact on students and the community.
Ania Henderson, a biology teacher at Moisés E.Molina High School, has been with Dallas ISD for three years. Henderson’s journey into education was inspired by her father, a longtime biology teacher in the district. After earning her bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-med from the University of Oklahoma, she decided to follow in her father’s footsteps. 
“The accomplishment I am most proud of is being awarded the Teacher of Promise for Molina High School during the 2022-2023 school year,” Henderson said. “This award showed me that my teaching styles, relationship building, and hard work are making a real impact on my students and our school.”
Henderson’s experience with Future Doctors summer camp program has been transformative. She believes the program plays a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of medical professionals by providing students with real-world experience and guidance from current Texas A&M medical students.
“Texas A&M collaboration provides personalization to the Future Doctors program. Current medical students can share recent experiences with high school students who seek a similar educational path. Texas A&M has a rich history of educating students, and Dallas ISD is appreciative of this partnership,” Henderson said.
Henderson highlights the importance of skills developed during the camp, including a deeper understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Students gain hands-on experience and insight into various healthcare careers, which Henderson believes is vital in encouraging higher-level learning and future success in the medical field.
Lawanna Evans, a former dance educator and current health teacher at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation, is transitioning to Dr. Fredrick Douglass Todd Sr. Middle School next year. A graduate of Skyline Career Development Center, her love for teaching began early, helping her mother pay for dance tuition by teaching classes at the age of 12. After graduating from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in Arts and a minor in English, Evans realized that she was more comfortable and happier when teaching children.
“One of my greatest accomplishments is being able to teach in the neighborhood where I grew up. Seeing my students create, think outside the box, and succeed is the highlight of my career,” Evans said. 
Evans’s involvement in the Future Doctors Summer Camp program stems from her curiosity and desire to get a deeper understanding of health education and health science. Her favorite memory in Dallas ISD revolves around this summer camp, where she developed a newfound respect for doctors and witnessed the students’ eagerness to learn.
“The goal of the Future Doctors Summer Camp is to provide high school students with information about how to join the field of medicine and obtain hands-on experience in healthcare-related activities,” Evans said.
Both Henderson and Evans agree that the summer camp is a pivotal step in inspiring future medical professionals.
“Expose our children to every opportunity available to spark a desire to learn more. Who knows what flames we can ignite,” Evans said.
