November 2007 -- NEISD.net


Ceremony Photos | November 2007

School Community Enhancement

Students and staff often spend the majority of their waking day together at school. Building a strong community network is essential to a positive work and learning environment. Amy Gernander, a third-grade Two Way Immersion teacher at Colonial Hills Elementary, works hard to enhance her school's community.

Amy annually organizes the Colonial Hills Hispanic Heritage Parade, involving the entire campus. Each class studied a specific country and represented that country in a parade around the school. Amy's work and dedication to this event greatly helps to improve the learning environment for her students.

Dedication

Dedication to tasks and programs makes NEISD excel. People notice dedicated staff—their attitudes are pleasant, and they tend to serve as role models for fellow employees.

As a school counselor, you are often seen from many sides. Fortunately for Natalie Bates, she is always seen as helpful and a quick responder to the needs of the teachers and students. She is found to be positive, an exceptional counselor, and a great mentor to the students. MacArthur High School is lucky to have her.

Sharon Cummings's fellow teachers believe that each fourth-grader that passes through her door is given the highest quality instruction. Hard working and dedicated, Sharon is a beacon for Stahl Elementary School. She leads and inspires those around her.

Facility Maintenance

Beautiful, clean and healthy campuses greatly help in producing successful students. The Facility Maintenance staff often go above and beyond to keep NEISD campuses and buildings running properly and looking great. The following individuals were recognized: Benjamin Eusebio, Candelario Garza, Pablo Izquierdo, Angel Salonga and Darryl Washington.
(Photos: 1 | 2)

The dedication and positive attitude of these individuals directly benefits our students. Candelario, Benjamin, Darryl, Angel, and Pablo are always seen performing their job tasks with a smile and dedication that reflects the pride they have in their campus.

They keep their campus shining under all circumstances.

Heroism

At times, days do not go as we plan and we find ourselves lost. In this moment of anxiety, it is comforting to know there are people quick to help us find our way.

Early one school morning, Gilbert Morales was working in the Canyon Ridge yard when he crossed paths with a young lady who was lost and distressed. While running with her school's cross country team, she had gotten separated from the rest of her team. Gilbert suggested the lost runner use his cell phone so she could call her father. He assisted her in the call by explaining her location and then escorted her into the school's office to wait.

Gilbert's actions were a direct result of his strong work ethic and helpful spirit.

Innovation

New programs take time and effort to develop; however, they take dedication to develop successfully. The following individuals were recognized for bringing their innovative efforts to their school: Katheryn Cline, Mary Garcia, Donna Hengst, Kathleen Kardon, Debra Norton and Sonia Wahl.
(Photos: 1 | 2)

These women worked together to develop a rich curriculum for a new Advancing Individual Motivation—AIM—program at Bush Middle School. In addition to developing this curriculum, these teachers led the campus through extensive training during this semester. They accomplished this by graciously gave many hours of their personal time to the benefit of their students and colleagues.

Leadership

When charting unknown territory, you always need a great guide to lead the way. The same is true when bringing new programs to your school. The following individuals were recognized for their efforts in leadership: Teresa Beazley, Meg Grossman, Paula McCain, Marchelle McDermott, Cheri Pompa, Barbara Ribble, Kristina Thiel, Colleen Tipton and Tara Wiatrek.
(Photos: 1 | 2)

As the Hardy Oak Elementary School student population continues to grow more diverse, it is critical to have a vast tool kit of teaching methods. This past summer, these teachers attended a conference on Differentiated Instruction. This is an education style that incorporates a variety of instructional strategies to address diverse student learning needs. These leaders organized and facilitated the opening day in-service at Hardy Oak, including a variety of activities for teachers. Since then, they have also led faculty meetings and the October in-service.

These teachers are committed to supporting their fellow teachers as they strive to provide an extraordinary education for all students.

Results

In our line of work, reaching results in every project and task is critical to the future of the school district. Results help showcase and measure the district's success in educating children.

Alice Rasmussen teaches freshmen Pre-AP English at Lee High School. Since many incoming freshmen are a little unsure of themselves in their new high school setting, Alice takes the time to write letters to her freshmen parents. Alice also works diligently to keep her students motivated and engaged to the new and difficult expectations of high school.

Ms. Rasmussen offers a smooth transition for students entering the school, and feels communicating with parents is a vital piece in this transition.

As a result of Alice's, concern and dedication to her students' success, her students reached 60 percent commended on the Texas Assesment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test last year. Achieving commended status on TAKS, the Texas state assesment program, means students performed at a level that was considerably above the state passing standard. Many of her students were new to any type of honors or Pre-AP class-setting.

Ms. Rasmussen works to develop a vertical alignment on the Lee campus by bringing new and innovative lessons in for other faculty to review and consider. She plans carefully and conscientiously, and is willing to share her expertise and her time with the other teachers on her level.

As a risk-taker, Ms. Rasmussen is willing to try new methods to reach her students. These methods and lessons not only provide quality education and enjoyment to her students, but inspire her colleagues to join in her enthusiasm for teaching.

Student Volunteers

It truly is a pat-on-the-back when students—the district's primary customers—choosing to spend their personal time beautifying campuses.

The following students were recognized:
From Churchill High School: Clark Lammert

From Eisenhower Middle School: Jack Dahlquist, Nick Higgins, Grantham Huguley, William Huguley, Taylor Jendrusch, Connor Lammert, Colton Love, Dylan Luna, Tommy McClelland, Mason Mueller and Chad Pilcher.

(Photos: 1 | 2 | 3)

Clark, a freshman at Churchill, gave up a weekend in the summer to come to Eisenhower and coordinate a group of National Junior Honor Society members to landscape the area around the school's flagpole. This project involved digging holes, planting, laying irrigation lines, and shoveling mulch. What had been a plain patch of grass is now a beautifully landscaped area for the school's front entrance.

The efforts by these students serve as a great example to their peers.

Volunteers

Max Frailey, with Capital Aggregates, financially supported Wetmore Elementary School in the Young Astronaut Club for the past two years. These donations allowed 50 fourth- and fifth-graders to participate in an extra-curricular activity learning about space, flight, and rocketry. All participating students built and launched their own rockets, and the fifth-graders received an opportunity to visit the Space Center in Houston.

Kerrie McNeel and Shannon Moravits are PTA members at Tejeda Middle School who have assumed the responsibility of the ADEPT program for the current school year. They gave a monumental amount of their time in planning Red Ribbon Week. Preparation included everything from developing flyers and banners to distributing bracelets and red ribbons to organizing drawings for student prizes to coordinating the Spurs Coyote visit to the campus. The efforts of these volunteers helped make Red Ribbon Week memorable and successful at Tejeda.

Lita Salazar, owner of a McDonald's restaurant close to Tejeda Middle School, partnered with the school to sponsor McTeacher Night. On this night, faculty and staff worked at the restaurant and served customers. Lita then donated a percentage of the profits from the evening back to the school to be used for various events benefiting the students.

In addition to her McTeacher Night, Lita also sponsors a $500 McGrant. This grant is awarded to a Tejeda teacher, team or department to be used to benefit their students.

Furthermore, Lita donated dinner certificates for the Teacher of the Month program. She also donated 4,000 certificates for students who met the criteria for: A Honor Roll, A/B Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, Timberwolf of the Week, Academic Improvement and B.U.G. (Bringing Up Grades).

These awards serve as an incentive for both teachers and students to always perform their best.