At Kinder, Christina Ryan and Lauren Farmer will fill our fifth and sixth teaching slots for 12-13. Christina received her BA in Music and Ed.M in Early Childhood Education from Boston University. She has been a kindergarten teacher since 2001, first in Durham, NC and most recently in Cambridge, MA. Her resume is much too lengthy and over-the-top impressive to include everything in this short space, but I will tell you that she was the recipient of the 2012 Cambridge Science Festival and Cambridge PS Curious Teacher Award and the 2010 Zula International (National) Science Teacher Association Early Science Educator Award (for a lesson creation entitled Immersion in Geometrical Optics). She also was a Tufts University Fulcrum Institute for Leadership in Science Education fellow, presenter at several NSTA national conferences, and recently presented at the NSELA conference held in Austin. In Christina's own words, "I want children to perform to the best of their academic abilities, but I also actively nurture their development as people by helping them become kind friends, responsible members of a community, reflective learners, and individuals who take risks and embrace challenge". Christina will bring much to our kinder team and their interdisciplinary approach to teaching; in fact her former principal tells me that she just isn't sure "how she's going to run the school without Christina". Her husband has recently accepted a tenured teaching position at UT and we are so very glad to have them both in our school and community at large.
Lauren Farmer many of you know, as she was a first-rate student teacher at second grade last school year. Lauren brings an enthusiasm and a level of confidence and professionalism sometimes not seen in new graduates. In fact, I've joked with staff that when I called Lauren to offer her the position and told her that I knew she would learn much this year, she calmly stated, "Ms. Workman, I know I can bring a lot to your school as well." Love it! Lauren just earned her BS in Early Childhood Education, from UT Austin, has served as a mentor and tutor at several AISD elementary schools, embraces the use of technology in the classroom, and as a fun fact, was a UT Cheerleader (go Horns!), even serving as Captain one year. She is interested in starting a gardening program with her Kinder students and is exploring the possibility of co-sponsoring our Math Pentathlon program with Mr. Gay. Wonderful addition!
At first grade, we have such a find in Katie Ferguson, who will be joining as the fifth team member. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama and a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix. Katie comes to us with 8 years of first grade teaching experience in Georgia, first at Annette Winn Elementary, and for 6 years at Sarah Smith Elementary in Atlanta. While at Sarah Smith, Katie received in-depth training in the primary years IB program (Sarah Smith is an International Baccalaureate campus and recipient of the Georgia Schools Platinum Award), SMART phonics program, Jr. Great Books, Empowering Writers, and much more. Her principal Dr. Baker also indicated that when she said she was moving to Austin, "I said no". Best of all perhaps, was a letter written by a former parent of one of Katie's first grade students - "Katie has the gift of seeing the complete child and knows intuitively how to get the most from her students. Our son struggled with reading during the year and became discouraged and distracted easily. Katie nurtured him, tutored him during her own time...during the spring she made time to come to soccer and baseball games to cheer for her students...I would like to say that we were special, but have learned that she extended the same love and concern for each child in the class". We look forward to the talents Katie will bring to our school, specifically in the area of inter-connected disciplines, inquiry based learning, and differentiation for each child.
Rounding out our new teaching staff will be Spanish Enrichment teacher George Ayres. Our community knows and loves the Ayres family, having had their four girls attend our school over the years (all four now are at St. Stephens and doing quite well I hear). George, a graduate of Texas Christian University in Ft Worth, received his BA in Spanish Literature and is fluent in the language. He comes to us with truly a variety of experiences, having been a bilingual teacher at one point in his early career, as well as serving as an ESL tutor and Spanish document translator. Those of us who know George, however, also know that his real passion lies in the area of writing; this is a definite strength he will bring to HP. Again, too much to print here, but George is a published author of numerous articles, essays, and fiction, is a writer/producer of web commercials and short films, former copywriter for Mad House advertising (received the Silver Addy award), former marketing information specialist/editor/writer for TX Dept of Agriculture, current media and communications director for the Sun Valley Film Festival, and much more. Recently, I've been following George and fellow HP parent Phil Hardage on Twitter and their new internet cop show, "Freefall". Pretty cool. This is a busy guy as you can tell, he is super excited to get started with our program, we've brainstormed the creation of a school newspaper with a possible Spanish focus, and much more; I forsee this position growing in many new and creative ways. Glad to have you on board officially George!
Last but not least, stop in to welcome Robin Moore as our new office clerk. Like George, Robin is a former HP parent and has subbed at our school over the last few years, both in and out of the classroom. She is a graduate of UT with a BS in Education (Spanish and Biology) and completed the Landscape Design School at College Station, Texas. Many of you remember Robin and her family through their business Howard Nursery and most recently as the proprietor of Robin's Garden Designs - something she still does in her spare time! She has much experience working with the public, is organized, experienced with our office procedures, and we are thrilled to have her on board. Welcome Robin!
As you remember, Badgerdog Publishing worked with our second and third grade students last year. I'd be remiss by not passing on the links to check out the poetry and writings from some of the classes. Check out a sample of third grade offerings at http://www.badgerdog.org/unbound/2012/06/14/no-boundaries/ to read "about a pie with Michael Jackson dance moves and amazing feats of synesthesia" or some second grade samples at http://www.badgerdog.org/unbound/2012/06/04/where-every-lego-is-free/ and http://www.badgerdog.org/unbound/2012/05/30/the-places-poems-make/. I especially liked Bella's In the Country of Fashion at the last link. Enjoy!
Final two items, both PTA related. First, we want a really good showing for this year's Art Reflections program. Last year's theme was Diversity Is, the entries were impressive, so make plans to check the site ptareflections.org to find out how to get started on this year's entry details. A great way for kids to get connected to the many forms of art.
Though she probably needs no formal introduction, a big welcome to our newest PTA president Debbie Esterak, shown below with outgoing president Shay Rogillio. These two ladies are quite the dynamos, Shay will serve on the board for 12-13 as well, and I look forward to working with Debbie and the board as we continue to make Highland Park the best school it can be for kids. Thanks for all you do PTA!
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| Debbie receiving the official PTA gavel from Shay |
