For Las Vegas native Mardeane Gaston, becoming a teacher wasn’t a sudden decision—it was a lifelong calling, shaped by decades of experience, perseverance, and an unwavering love for children. 

Now in her second year as a licensed pre-K teacher, Mardeane brings more than 35 years of experience in the school district to her classroom. She began her career working in support roles, including food service, before realizing that her passion for working directly with children could become something more. 

Her path to teaching, however, was anything but linear. 

A long journey marked by resilience 

Mardeane first enrolled in college in the late 1990s, earning her associate’s degree in 2001 while balancing work and family responsibilities. Over the years, life presented significant challenges—including the loss of both parents and three siblings at a young age, which led to her becoming guardian of one of her nieces—that repeatedly paused her education journey. Still, she continued taking classes when she could, determined to one day finish. 

A turning point through UNLV

Everything changed when she learned about the Nevada Forward™ Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program (UAP) through UNLV and the Clark County School District. By then, Mardeane had spent years balancing work, family obligations, and coursework, steadily inching toward a degree that often felt just out of reach. 

What made UAP different was the support system surrounding it. Through her connection with UNLV faculty, including Dr. Joseph Morgan, Mardeane found mentors who saw her potential and refused to let her give up. When she became discouraged after being asked to retake required exams, Dr. Morgan reminded her how close she was to achieving her goal. 

“He told me, ‘You’re too close to stop now,’” she recalls. 

The program’s flexible format helped her fit coursework around her full-time job, but it was the personal encouragement that proved transformational. Faculty members helped her navigate requirements, connected her with resources, and provided reassurance during moments of doubt. Student-teaching mentors and instructors offered practical guidance in the classroom, while the program’s structure kept her moving forward towards graduation. 

“Having people check in on me and help me through the process made a difference,” Gaston says. “They wanted to see me succeed.” 

For someone who had spent decades starting and stopping her education while caring for family members and navigating life’s challenges, that support helped turn a long-held dream into a reality. Within a year and a half, she completed the remaining coursework needed to earn her bachelor’s degree and teaching license. 

Reflecting on her journey, she offers simple but powerful advice to others considering the path she took: “Go for it. It takes discipline, but if it’s what you really want to do, it’s a great program and it can help get you where you want to be.”