Data Chats
May Edition
Mrs Kelli Fortner is the Principal at Quitman Elementary School. She attended college at TJC, UT Tyler, and Lamar University. She has previously Life Skills, 3rd Grade self contained, 3rd Grade ELAR/SS, 3rd-5th Grade inclusion, served as 3rd-5th Grade Reading Interventionists, served as Assistant Principal for 4 years, and has served as a Principal for 6 years. Kelli has worked for Jacksonville ISD, McGregor ISD, Marlin ISD, and Mexia ISD.
Tell us about your family:
"I am married to a Quitman native, the Scooter Fortner! He is the Assistant Athletic Director for QISD! We have 5 amazing kiddos! Bradie is 13 (loves all sports, showing cattle in FFA, One Act Play and Band), Kenzie is 11 (loves volleyball, basketball and showing goats in FFA), Jose is 10 (loves to swim and visit the concession stand at his siblings sporting events- not a sports participating dude), Junior is 3 (loves t ball and playing outside) and we have a son in Heaven, Brooks, who was stillborn at 35 weeks in 2018."
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"Watching the students grow- There is so much magic in a school year- they get here day 1 and you get to watch this amazing transformation in 172 days!"
Could you provide some examples of how you and your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"After every large assessment we meet and breakdown the data. We discuss individual students and plan for instruction based on the needs shown in the data."
Mr. Morrow is an Assistant Principal at QES. He attended college at Sam Houston State University. Previously, Mr. Morrow has taught high school geography/history and coached football, basketball, baseball, golf, and tennis. Lance has also been JH Principal and AP for Elementary. Mr. Morrow has previously worked for Big Sandy, Pine Tree, and Westwood. He has worked for Quitman ISD for 8 years.
Tell us about your family
"I am married to my High School Sweetheart and wife of 33 years, Neda. She works at Lindale High School as Film Director."
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"I enjoy having happy teachers and students that want to come to school everyday."
Could you provide some examples of how you/your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"Weekly PLC meetings are used to cover all of our subject areas and we have monthly meetings with Region 7 to update all of our testing data that helps the teachers know where their students are individually."
Mrs. Angie Andrews is an Assistant Principal at QES. She attended college at Tyler Junior College, Texas A & M Commerce, and Stephen F. Austin State University. Angie has has taught higher level math , coached all sports at the varsity level for 21 years, was an elementary principal for 2 years, and assistant principal for 1 year. She has previously worked at Gladewater, Big Sandy, Daingerfield, and Fruitvale ISD. This is her first year to work at QISD.
Tell us about your family
"I have two of my own children : Jordan 24 and Carter 22. Through my marriage to my husband Justin Andrews I gained another son Alex. Together Justin and I have 3 granddaughters and one grandson: Anslee, Brylee, Presley, and Caison. They are 6, 3, 1, and 15 months. We have a small ranch with four dogs, cows, and 1 chicken named Hen Solo."
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"I love watching others thrive and succeed knowing you were a part of helping their direction getting them on the right foot and the confidence it brings about in others."
Could you provide some examples of how you/your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"Data informs every decision we make, when evaluating curriculum, when evaluating the rigor of testing, or when evaluating the smallest of systems we have in place. As administrators we should always take those insights to grow and revamp any procedures or processes to make us more effective as leaders, instructional coaches, and for the safety our students."
Ms. Ashley Day is the Principal of Quitman Junior High. She attended college at Tyler Junior College & East Texas Baptist University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Education, and UT Tyler where she received her Masters in Educational Leadership. Ashley's educational background includes QES for 15 years serving in several different areas of Kindergarten teacher, 2nd grade teacher, 3rd-5th Reading Interventionist, Campus Testing Coordinator and Assistant Principal. Ms. Day has spent the last 3 years at QJH serving as the Assistant Principal, testing coordinator, and this year as Principal. She did her student teaching in Marshall at South Marshall Elementary as well as Marshall Junior High, but feels extremely blessed to call Quitman ISD her home for all of her 18 years in education.
Tell us about your family
"My family is my whole world!!! I have 2 amazing children, both who graduated from Quitman High School. Jacob is 24 and works for Lockton Company in Dallas and Abby is 18 and currently works as a 2-3 year old teacher at a daycare in College Station while also attending Blinn College. These two make me more proud than I could ever imagine being! I will always consider my title as "Mom" my greatest accomplishment in life!
I have also been blessed to have in my life my soon to be daughter in law, Mikayla & my significant other, Keith, both of which I might add are also Quitman Alums!! My people are Quitman Bulldogs through & through!"
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"Having an impact in the lives of these amazing students is what drives me each and every single day! There is nothing better than seeing a student experience success whether it be in academics, extracurricular activities or simply coming to the reality that they matter in this great big world! These young people are the future and I want each and every one of them to know that they have an important part to play. At the end of even the hardest days I can't imagine doing anything else than being an educator."
Could you provide some examples of how you/your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"My QJH team ROCKS in so many ways, but taking our data and zeroing in on areas that need specialized instruction is an area that they really shine in! We utilize PLC's (Professional Learning Communities) and common planning period times to help breakdown data and plan instruction! Our teachers embrace the growth mindset and they help our students build confidence in who they are! They always encourage our students to strive to do just a little better than before! You can ALWAYS GROW!"
"My hope is for anyone who walks through the doors at Quitman Junior High, whether it be students or staff, to know that they are valued and that they are loved! The people are the piece that make a district great and I can say with confidence that Quitman JH is THE ABSOLUTE BEST!!!!"
Mr. Jason Goodson is the Assistant Principal at QJH. He attended East Texas Baptist University, SWBTS, and Lamar University. Jason has also taught English 8-12; AVID; Freshman Seminar, and Speech. He has previously worked for Mineola ISD. This is his first year at QISD.
Tell us about your family
"I am married to my wife, Kathy, and we have 5 children: Zoe who is 20, Lucy is 17, Iris who is 15, and twins Tripp and Hazel who are 13.
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"Having a chance to impact a students/staff members life on a daily basis."
Could you provide some examples of how you/your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"We use data to inform teachers on student progress and how we can help students grow as individuals. To inform students on their own progress so that goals can be set in the short term, mid term, and long term ranges."
"As educators, students do not care about what we know, until they know that we care."
Mr. Jeff Tittle is the High School Principal. He attended college at the University of North Texas and Lamar University. He has previously worked at Grapevine-Colleyville, Grand Saline, and Mineola ISD. This is his 3rd year at QISD.
What is your background in education?
"With over 25 years in education, I have taught a variety of History courses including World Cultures, World History, U.S. History, Texas History, and World Geography. I’ve coached Football, Basketball, and Track & Field at all levels, and was part of two State Championship staffs—Grapevine (1998) and Mineola (2016). I’ve also guided multiple athletes to the State level in Pole Vault, Shot Put, and Discus. My administrative career began in 2017 as a Middle School Assistant Principal, followed by a role as High School Assistant Principal. In 2022, I was honored to become the Principal of Quitman High School."
Tell us about your family
"On the personal side, I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Christie, for over 30 years. We have two wonderful children, Jordan and Karlee. Jordan is a chiropractor and owns Helix Sports Med with locations in Lakeway and Dripping Springs. He and his wife Marley are expecting their first child, a baby girl, in July. Karlee is a successful Licensed Professional Counselor with the Andrews Center in Tyler, specializing in work with veterans and their families."
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"Professionally, I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of others—especially my students. I believe deeply in the power of education to open doors and change the trajectory of a student’s future. Every day is an opportunity to help young people see their potential and build a path toward success."
Could you provide some examples of how you/your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"As it should, data drives our instruction in the classroom. We have been intentional in developing strategic planning time for teachers, as well as carving out dedicated time during the school day for student remediation. This structure allows teachers to focus on student growth, address individual learning needs, and place students on a path to long-term success."
"Everything we do is intentional—whether it’s aligning benchmarks in preparation for End-of-Course (EOC) exams, meeting CCMR indicators, or ensuring students meet graduation requirements. Our goal is to develop the whole student, equipping them not only with academic skills but also with the tools they need for success beyond high school."
"I’m incredibly proud and excited to be part of such an amazing group of educators. From administration to faculty and staff, we are united in our commitment to students and to our community. The passion, dedication, and teamwork on this campus are what make Quitman High School a special place to learn and grow."
Mr. Camron Frazier is the Assistant Principal for QHS. He attended college at UT Tyler. His background in education includes 4 years teaching and coaching at Lindale ISD. While there he taught US History and World History. This is his 3rd year at QISD.
Tell us about your family
"I have been married to my wife Jorie for 10 years, and we have two daughters, Zoey who is 4, and Wrenley who is 2.
What aspects of the admin/teaching profession do you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
"It is my field to serve God and serve others. I feel what we do in education has the biggest impact on society. School is the most transformative part of a person's life than can set the trajectory of their life. In a world where kids may not have a family that can show them a Christ centered life the next most influential adult is an educator. This is my mission field."
Could you provide some examples of how you/your team utilizes data to inform and enhance teacher's instructional practices?
"My EOC PLC team rocks! We pull data to learn about students but not let the data represent students. We will find out what TEKS need to be retaught, create growth competitions among classes, plan blitzes, find out what strategies work and didn't work, we know how to play the game of accountability but know that it isn't truly the main thing. I love to use data to find discrepancies in student performance so we can have some intentional conversations about what may be going in in a student's life that can cause the discrepancy but also find out when students are over achieving so we can celebrate them!"
"QHS has an incredible team that truly uses and values data but never lets it define the student. Mrs. J. Smith does an amazing job on our PLC of assisting and supporting administrators and teachers. Mr. Tittle does a great job of pulling me out of the weeds when it comes to data. Our EOC teachers trust me enough to try some of my crazy ideas. I am truly grateful to be able to work for this team. I also get a ton of help from our DMAC Pro wizzard Mrs. Coats :) "
We will miss you, Mr Frazier!!
