There were many great learning opportunities in the district and online this summer that have my brain working and thinking about the impact of teaching and learning. George Couros was the keynote speaker at Icon, and he was inspirational! Take a look at the short video clip below to frame your thinking for the year. We are teaching the future inventors and leaders of our country...what an amazing honor and responsibility!

I have also linked his blog below that you may want to add to your reading list. Follow him on Twitter @gcouros. He shares motivating ideas and thoughts!

Kindergarten:

Ashley Hager-Ashley is coming from Mesquite ISD with several years of kindergarten experience.

Cynthia Brown-Cynthia is coming to us from Luna Elementary as a kindergarten teacher.

Katie Elliot-Katie is coming to us from Herfurth Elementary as a kindergarten teacher.

First Grade:

Grace Pride-Grace graduated from UNT and is ready for her first year.

Second Grade:

Joel Duran-Joel is coming from Richardson ISD and Chicago with a variety of experiences.

Jenna Stahl-Jenna graduated from ACU and is ready for her first year.

Fourth Grade:

Margie Mead-Margie is coming from Richardson ISD with numerous years of experience.

Fifth Grade:

Carianne Rapp-Carianne is coming to us from Luna Elementary as a fifth grade teacher.

Kirstie Reston-Kirstie has several years experience in Garland ISD and a charter school.

PE:

Amy Schaefer-Amy has been at Herfurth for 16 years as the PE teacher.

CTA:

Kelle Michell-Kelle has been a dyslexia paraprofessional within GISD.

Kinder-Amy Patterson

First-Amanda Wade

Second-Brittany McKay

Third-Honey Womble

Fourth-Lisa Rowan in place of Blair Westmoreland to start the school year

Fifth-LaShai Sticher

Specials-Janie Christy

Intervention-Trisha Buchanan

Sped-Stefani Stewart

Office-Leslie Beckler

Thursday, August 11 WELCOME BACK!!

8:00 PTA Provides Light Breakfast

8:30-11:30 Staff Meeting and Grade Level Meeting

11:30-12:30 Lunch Provided

12:30-3:30 Staff Meeting to Learn about the All-Star 200!

Friday, August 12

8:00-11:00 Work in Classrooms

11:00-12:15 Lunch on your own

12:30-3:30 Poverty Simulation on campus

Monday, August 15

8:00-11:20 Curriculum Staff Development

11:20-12:20 Lunch on your own

12:30-3:50 Curriculum Staff Development

Tuesday, August 16

TTESS Training all day on campus

Lunch on your own

Wednesday, August 17

8:30-11:30 Literacy Station Training for all instructional staff

11:30-1:00 Lunch on your own

1:00-4:00 Work in Classrooms

Thursday, August 18

8:00-11:00 Staff Meeting

11:00-12:00 Lunch Provided by PTA

12:00-3:30 Work in Classrooms

4:00-7:00 Back to School Night

Friday, August 19

8:00-11:30 Work in Classrooms

11:30-12:45 Lunch on your own

1:00-3:00 SchoolNet Refresher Training in the Computer Lab

Feel free to text, call, or email me with questions, thoughts or concerns. We are in this together for the kids! Can't wait to start this year with the Abbett All-Stars and Superheroes!

--Betsy

214-632-1072