CFISD recognizes 88 employees

ECONNECTION
Vol. 13,
Is
sue 35
May 18, 2012
A Weekly Electronic Publication for CFISD Employees
Spotlight
Teachers
CFISD honored employees
during the 27th Annual CFISD
Spotlight Teacher recognition
ceremony on Monday, May 7
at the Berry Center. Spotlight
recipients are nominated and
selected each year based on
their outstanding contributions
to education.
CFISD recognizes 88 employees
Eighty-four CFISD teachers, two
paraprofessionals and two support staff
members received Spotlight awards
during the 27th annual Spotlight Awards
ceremony on May 7 at the Berry Center.
Spotlight teachers are selected
annually by campus principals for their
outstanding dedication in providing
valuable instruction to students in
CFISD. Spotlight paraprofessionals and
support staff recipients are also selected
each year by supervisors for their
outstanding dedication through their
notable work on campus. Portraits of the
2011-2012 Spotlight recipients will be
hung in the hallway at the Instructional
Support Center. A 2011-2012 publication
containing real-life success stories from
each of the Spotlight teachers is posted
at www.cfisd.net under Departments
and Curriculum and Instruction. For
people who were unable to attend the
annual ceremony, it can be viewed via
CFTV Online on the district home page.
In Memory Of ...
Oct. 25, 1923 May 13, 2012
John Francone,
namesake for
Francone Elementary
School, passed away
on Sunday, May
13. Francone was a
longtime employee
in CFISD serving as
a member of the
operations team at
Dean Middle School
from March 2, 1943
until his retirement
on August 31, 1983.
Francone returned
to his role at Dean in
September of 1995
and retired again at
the end of May, 1999.
In the spotlight ...
Dr. Henry, superintendent
of schools, congratulates
teacher Jo Taylor from
Goodson Middle School
during the Spotlight
awards ceremony.
2011-2012
Spotlight Teachers
Roy Garcia, associate superintendent for
curriculum and instruction and school
administration, recognizes Spotlight teacher
George Villamagna from Cy Woods HS.
Board president
Bob Covey
congratulates
Brandi Rios, the
Spotlight Teacher
for Gleason ES.
A group of Spotlight
Teachers face the
audience as they are
recognized as lifelong
learners— teachers
who exemplify the
spirit of continuous
improvement
through selection
of and attitude
toward activities
that foster personal
and professional
development (see
pages 9-10).
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
A CFISD teacher is an instructional strategist
who thoughtfully designs learning and assessment
activities which present the depth and breadth of content
appropriate for students’ age and aptitude and which
promote students’ actively thinking about the subject—the
learners’ engagement coming from personal connections,
curiosity, challenge and real-world applications.
Rachel Deschamps
ALC-West
The Love of a Teacher
by KERI LOCKE
Growing up, people would ask my mom if I
always wanted to be a teacher. Her reply would
always be, “Ever since that baby was speaking,
she would say to me, I’m gonna teach babies...I’m
gonna love babies.” I know in my heart that
teaching is a God-given talent. It is what comes
naturally to me. I never wanted to do anything else
and cannot imagine giving back in any other way.
I have been teaching kindergarten for fifteen
years. I purposely chose this grade because at
age five and six the world begins to open. Being
a kindergarten teacher allows me to lay the
foundation for their future. It is not about just
teaching academics, it’s teaching respect, integrity,
and how to persevere despite obstacles. My
students know how much I love them, not because
I tell them every day, but because I show them
every day.
People constantly question how I do what I
do. My response is always about the connection I
have with children’s experiences. As a child, I had a
very difficult time in school, and no one understood
why. I would think to myself, “just love me and
teach me.” When I look into my students’ eyes, I
see individuals, just as complex and wonderful as
God intended. I am very honored to be called a
teacher.
Ross Flood
Keri Locke
Laurie R. Burns
Kimberly Bierwirth
Steve Silva
Stacy Brister
Aragon MS
Labay MS
Smith MS
Emery ES
Millsap ES
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIST
2011-2012
Spillane MS
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
A CFISD teacher is a creator of a student-centered
environment who provides a caring, supportive classroom in
which students are workers and doers, comfortable in taking risks to
further their learning.
Nancy Barrow
ALC-East
Sarah Millerhouse
Toy Green
Dena Morrison
Alison Wynn
Ault ES
Bane ES
Black ES
Copeland ES
Cypress Creek HS
Cypress Ranch HS
Lisa Locklin
Tara Brown
Krystal Perez
Pamela Ferrell
Debbie Demand
Kathy Sam
Cynthia Celiz
Cory S. Kelley
Debbie Bart
Liz Evans
Cassie Herndon
Kelli Kruse
Jenny Todd
Mary Ellen Truncali
Derrick L. Crowder
Fiest ES
Keith ES
Hairgrove ES
Langham Creek HS
Danish ES
Holbrook ES
McFee ES
Dean MS
Hopper MS
Post ES
Duryea ES
Horne ES
CREATOR OF STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT
2011-2012
Rennell CONNECTION
ES
THE
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2011-2012
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Just Create!
by CORY S. KELLEY
“Sometimes you have to figure out
what it isn’t to figure out what it
is,” I say as I adjust the blocking
on a scene. Then, I get down on
the stage, shuffle about, leap,
and contort my body in a wild
fashion, merely to hand off a paper
crane to a student. Some of my
advanced drama kiddos snicker,
some just watch, but all of them
realize the offering that is being
made – create. Create without fear
or limits, but with compassion for
your peers. Just create! Creation,
however, rarely ever happens on
command. Oftentimes, in art,
the final product is the result of
a great deal of trial and error. It
is for this reason I encourage my
students to take artistic risks and
potentially fail. To fail, regardless
of what many classroom posters
may say, is an option. No one is a
failure, though, unless he refuses
to learn from his faults. To avoid
failure onstage, as well as in life,
by always doing the predictable
thing is to become stagnant as a
performer and a human being. In
education, our classrooms are a
safe place to explore a degree of
failure through questioning and
practice, and I believe we only fail
as educators when our students
do not grow from the opportunities
we offer. In this way, our students
can better learn from their
shortcomings and create better
futures for themselves.
Bethany K.
Thompson
Cheryl
LaMontagne
Diana Callaghan
Debra Williams
Gerald Klich
Veronica
Higareda-Pérez
M. Robinson ES
Swenke ES
Sampson ES
A. Robison ES
Thornton MS
Tipps ES
Ryan Burke
Angela Hicks
Sheena Brock
Kathy Noland
Walker ES
Willbern ES
Warner ES
Paul Roome
Watkins MS
CREATOR OF STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT
Instructional Strategist
SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
Windfern HS
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
A CFISD teacher is a positive role
model who displays the values and
norms defined by good citizenship as
well as the personal qualities frequently
associated with effective, productive
lives—trustworthy, responsible, persistent,
optimistic and respectful of self and others.
Alicia Caskey
Teri Butler
Adam ES
Andre’ ES
Lloyd L. Turner Jr.
Carla Reid
Ann Roubique
Ellen Holzman
Andrea Alford
George Villamagna
Lindsay M. McCarthy
Samantha Smith
Arnold MS
Cypress Ridge HS
Cy-Fair HS
Campbell MS
Cypress Woods HS
My Inspiration
by JACKIE HARRIS
Growing up, my role model was always my mother. She didn’t
think she passed on all the skills that I would need to be
successful, because I did experience the “wild child” phase.
But, I know that every skill I possess was because of her.
She taught me about teamwork and how to envision a goal,
break it down into manageable steps, and make that goal a
reality. She taught me that hard work was necessary and that
Emmott ES
Cypress Lakes HS
POSITIVE ROLE MODEL
2011-2012
Francone ES
I would undoubtedly experience failure. She also taught me
that when I failed, I had better get back up, dust myself off,
and try again. My mother never let up on me. I thank her
for that, because I’m 100 percent positive that’s how I came
to love my job as a Special Education teacher. I enjoy every
moment I have teaching my students how to become one
step closer to independence. It’s not always about the scores;
it’s about the ability to change a person’s outlook on their
own life and let them see a brighter future.
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
Positive Role Model
Frazier ES
Goodson MS
Jo Taylor
Nicole Countryman
Mary A. Collins
Ramona Glisson
Annie La Rose
Amy Detering
Jackie Harris
Carol Moss
Madison Hiemenz
Tressia V. Thompson
Jessica Stables
Joanne Madrigal
Holmsley ES
Lowery ES
Hamilton ES
Kahla MS
Matzke ES
Lamkin ES
A Teacher Affects Eternity
by LINDSAY M. McCARTHY
Henry Adams once said “A teacher affects eternity: he can
never tell where his influence stops.” This quote speaks true
and dear to my heart. It was in Miss O’Leary’s sixth grade
class when I discovered I wanted to become a teacher. She
had a bright smile, warm heart, and a friendly personality
that would draw in any student. Miss O’Leary was a true
inspiration. She not only helped me understand mathematics
Metcalf ES
Hancock ES
Lee ES
POSITIVE ROLE MODEL
2011-2012
Wilson ES
(which I dreaded everyday), but also something much
greater…life! She had a special way of connecting with her
students. She was always there to lend an ear and give
words of wisdom. I feel fortunate to have been her student
and to have learned from such a positive role model. It is
because of Miss O’Leary that I am now living my dream as
a teacher. She has made an impact in my life forever and I
hope that I can do the same for my students.
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
A CFISD teacher is a lifelong learner who exemplifies the spirit
of continuous improvement through selection of and attitude toward
activities which foster personal and professional development.
Jeanine Smith
Kristin Filkins
Mikki Woolard
Deidre Douglas
Esther Hartman
Linda Reins
Adaptive Behavior Center
Cypress Falls HS
Bang ES
Cypress Springs HS
Priceless
by KENDRA HOUSTON
A box of pencils = $1
Books = $50
A student learning to read = priceless
The rewards of literacy are endless. Daily, I have the
opportunity to give struggling students the tools they
need to become readers. The demands and challenges are
great for teachers and students alike, but the outcome is
priceless. In only a few weeks, I am able to see students
strive to grasp letter sounds, to reading a book and
understanding it. There is a deep satisfaction that comes
from being a part of this. Reading changes each child’s life
and shapes his or her future. The knowledge of reading
Birkes ES
Hamilton MS
Maria T. Rodriguez
Bleyl MS
Jennifer Lee
Hemmenway ES
LIFELONG LEARNER
2011-2012
opens so many doors, with opportunities that are endless.
Through molding each student and giving them the proper
tools to read I, too, have been changed. Never before as
an educator have I more greatly appreciated those who
have taught me. I would like to share a story with you
about a student who brought to me a priceless moment.
We will call him Bobby. Bobby came to me weak in phonics
and unable to read. After rigorous lessons, time, energy,
and effort I received an e-mail from his father. The family
had gone to a Chinese restaurant for lunch over the
weekend. Bobby read his fortune from his fortune cookie
and for the first time, understood what it meant. Though
it might seem like a small thing, it brought tears of joy to
his parents’ eyes. Bobby was proud of himself and smiled
from ear to ear. One resounding thing I have learned from
Bobby and many of my dear students is to never give up.
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
Cindy Stoker
Jersey Village HS
Lisa A. Jandal
Jowell ES
Kendra Houston
Simi Kang
Sammi Saunders
Tahlie Baity
Lourdes Duarte
Kimberly Thibeaux
Deborah Denney
Lisa Rae Trewin
Kirk ES
Lieder ES
Fulfilling My Destiny
by CINDY STOKER
I have always loved learning. New ideas and
concepts excite me. I think that learning is fun.
For as long as I can remember, it was assumed
that I would go to college. Both of my parents
were high school dropouts. They were from rural
Arkansas, and they were needed to help provide
for their families. I am proud to say that I am the
first person in my family to get a college degree
much less a master’s degree. My learning didn’t
stop when I finished college. Every year I try
to learn something new that will help me teach
my students in a different and exciting way. I
have attended many camps throughout my 29
years of teaching, and I have no plans to slow
down. Building a program from the bottom up is
certainly not easy. I had to learn a lot of things.
I remember when I first started Jersey Village
Television, JVTV, with seven students. I learned
that I had to be willing to learn from my students.
Now, 17 years and many awards later, JVTV has
finally arrived. There were failures, tears, and a lot
of experimenting along the way. Failure is simply
a step along the road to success. I look forward
to going to work every day! I have always known
that teaching was my fate. I am simply fulfilling
my destiny.
“Learning is not a product of schooling, but the
lifelong attempt to acquire it.” ~ Albert Einstein ~
Moore ES
Reed ES
Truitt MS
Postma ES
LIFELONG LEARNER
2011-2012
Sheridan ES
Yeager ES
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
A CFISD teacher is a team player who cooperates with others
for the group’s benefit, striving to solve problems by using all
pertinent data, listening to and valuing others’ viewpoints and
actively seeking consensus.
Qualities of
a Hurdler
by WHITNEY TIMMONS
Brandy Payne
Linda R. Sturgill
Rena Richardson
Brandi Rios
Angie Gutierrez
Whitney Timmons
Dorothy Carlton Center
Farney ES
Owens ES
Cook MS
Gleason ES
Salyards MS
Growing up as a track runner, I always
watched hurdlers with admiration. They
have the endurance, flexibility, bravery
and determination to not only run their
race, but to attack the obstacles they
face. To ensure their success, they spend
hours preparing for meets and celebrate
each new accomplishment. They do not
always win or come away unscathed, but
they never hesitate to get back on the
starting line. As a teacher, I strive to have
the qualities of a hurdler: endurance to
run our race for the entire year, flexibility
to make changes when things do not
go as planned, bravery to face unknown
problems and determination to get over
our hurdles. The preparation that I do is
not just for myself but for my students,
my team and my fellow staff. No matter
how high the hurdles may seem, we will
get over them together. The opening
of Salyards has proven to be a race
with many hurdles. From laptops and
printers, to SMART Boards and doors,
things were often getting installed just
in the nick of time. We were constantly
adjusting to new plans and new ways of
teaching. At times, it was as if we were
running without our shoes on, and I
have loved every second of it! Whether
I am preparing a lesson for my students
or a technology training for my staff, I
absolutely love what I do.
TEAM PLAYER
2011-2012
Positive Role Model
eConnection / 11
SPOTLIGHT
SPOT
Paraprofessional Winners
Paul Combs, resource and adaptive behavior aide
at Campbell Middle School, was selected as the
paraprofessional Spotlight Award winner.
“Paul has extended himself as a valued member of the
campus community,” said Lorraine Bawlson, academic
achievement specialist. “He supports teachers in further
supporting student success. He showcases enthusiasm
for learning and supporting students to achieve academic
growth. He regularly looks for ways to improve and follows
through on strategic problem solving.”
Jennifer M. Burnett, principal’s secretary for
Hairgrove Elementary School, was recognized as the
paraprofessional runner-up.
““Jennifer truly goes beyond her normal duties,” said
Darynda Klein, Hairgrove principal. “This is my second
year as the building principal, and Jennifer has been
a huge part of why I believe our campus was able to
transition leaders relatively smoothly and continue to
be so successful.”
Support Staff Winners
Keith Elementary School custodian Ofelia
Herrera was recognized as the support staff
Spotlight Award winner. “Ofelia always comes
to work with a smile on her face and a can-do
attitude. ‘No problem, I got it,’ is Ofelia’s catch
phrase and the response we hear no matter the
request.” said Keith principal Cheryl Fisher. “She
is proactive, she sees what needs to be done
and takes care of it immediately.”
Juanita Williams, Moore Elementary School
custodian, was recognized as the support staff
runner-up. According to three of her coworkers
who nominated her, Juanita exemplifies the
portrait of a support staff member committed
to the educational process. “Juanita is always
ready to help and support staff members in any
way necessary and is supportive of the student’s
academic, social and behavioral goals.”
PARAPROFESSIONAL / SUPPORT STAFF
2011-2012
eConnection / 13
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