ActionLine...Your Board Meeting Update

April 20, 2011

Staff assignments approved

Aldine ISD Trustees approved four staff assignments during their April 19 meeting. Lee Ann Davidson was named senior accountant for cash management at the Central Office after serving as an assistant principal in Deer Park ISD. Davidson received her bachelor’s degree in technology in 1991 from the University of and her master’s degree in business administration from that same university in 1996. She is a certified public accountant. She began her career in education as a math teacher at Dobie High School in Pasadena ISD in 1991. In 1996, she moved to Deer Park High School where she taught math, computer science and business education co-op. She was promoted to the position of director of budgets in Deer Park ISD in 2005, where she remained until she moved into her current position as an assistant principal in 2010. Davidson has 20 years of experience in the field of education. Dr. Phyllis Cormier was named principal at Victory Early College High School after serving as an assistant principal at that same school. Cormier received her bachelor’s degree in English from Prairie View A&M University in 1980, her master’s degree in elementary education from that same university in 1982 and her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from A&M University in 2006. She is certified as a principal. She began her teaching career as a special education teacher in LaGrange ISD in 1982. In 1983, she moved to LaMarque ISD to teach English. She joined Aldine ISD in 1996 as an English teacher at MacArthur Senior High School and transferred to MacArthur Ninth Grade School in 1999. She was named an educational service manager at Eisenhower Senior High School in 2001 and in 2007, she moved to Aldine Senior High School where she also served as an assistant principal. She moved into her current position at Victory Early College High School in 2008. Dr. Cormier has 29 years of experience in the field of education and she has spent 15 of those years with Aldine ISD. Carolyn Washington was named principal of Stovall Academy after serving as an assistant principal at Marcella Intermediate School. Washington received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Southern University in 1994 and her master’s degree in counseling from Prairie View A&M University in 1999. She is certified as a principal. She began her career in education in Houston ISD in 1995 as a sixth-grade English and study skills teacher. In 1996, she moved to Klein ISD, where she served as an eighth-grade reading teacher. During her time in KISD, she became an itinerant special education related service counselor, a case manager and department chair. She moved to Aldine ISD in 2005 to serve as a sixth-grade regular education counselor at Hill Intermediate School. In 2007, she was promoted to her current position as an assistant principal at Marcella Intermediate School. Washington has 16 years of experience in the field of education and she has spent six of those years with Aldine ISD. Jessica Scott was named principal at Raymond Academy after serving as an assistant principal at Grantham Academy. Scott received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern University in 1990 and her master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1998. She is certified as a principal. She began her teaching career as an adaptive behavior teacher at Escamilla Intermediate School in Aldine ISD in 1994. In 1998, she transferred to Grantham Academy to serve as a regular education counselor. She was named an assistant principal at Grantham Academy in 2001. Scott has spent all of her 17 years in education with Aldine ISD.

Employees recognized

During the April 19 Trustees meeting, a number of Aldine ISD employees were recognized for making contributions to the district on a daily basis. Emitte Roque, executive director of buildings and properties, named Keeble EC/Pre-K Center as his department’s Building of the Month. On hand to accept the award were head custodian Matilde Gonzalez and principal Maria Galindo.

Roq ue named Hambrick Middle School as his department’s Yard of the Month. On hand to accept the award were head custodian/yard man Edward Sanchez and assistant principal Refugio Rodriguez.

Richard Delgado, executive director of transportation, named Raymond Johnson as his Employee of the Month. Johnson works out of the west side transportation department as a bus driver. He has been with the district for 10 years. Delgado also introduced March’s Employee of the Month, Benita Thomas. Thomas was unable to attend the March meeting. She works out of the east side transportation department as a sub/trainer driver and has been with the district for 17 years. Dan i Sheffield, executive director of child nutrition services, named the cafeteria staff at Oleson Elementary School as her department’s Team of the Month. The team consists of manager Patsy Schluter, specialists Criselda Garza, Yolanda Garza, Jeannette Gonzales, Geneva Grantham, Betty Valerio, and Maria Zepeda. The CN supervisor is Sal Jessa and the school’s principal is Guadalupe Munoz.

Grants announced

Judy Hoya, program director of resource development, announced a number of grants totaling $326,100 during the April 19 Trustees meeting. Resie Wilson, principal of Carroll Academy, and teacher Raquel Longoria secured a $133,100 Community Development Block Grant that will provide a SPARK Park for the Carroll campus. Carroll Academy collaborated with Harris County, the Aldine Improvement District and other community partners to secure the grant. Lee Wold, principal of Carter Academy and staff member Susana Bazan, secured a grant to have a KaBoom Playground built at Carter Academy on May 21. The grant totaled $53,000. Susan Perry, principal of Odom Elementary School, and assistant principal Betsabe Haisler secured a $75,000 Lenore Annenberg School Fund for Children grant. The money will be used to purchase the web-based Imagine Learning English program to strengthen the transition to English for the school’s English language learners. Cheryl Matthews, principal of Hoffman Middle School, and Alfred James, principal of Caraway Intermediate School, teamed up to secure a $40,000 Houston A+ Scholars grant. The grant will provide Challenge Network tutors who will conduct small group and individual sessions to assist students in reaching the commended level on TAKS by the end of their eighth- grade year. MacArthur Ninth Grade teacher Charles Elliston received a $5,000 Fund for Teachers grant. The grant will allow him to explore historical sites related to Shakespeare and Richard III. Hinojosa EC/Pre-K Center teachers Jill Charrier and Eva Hall each received a $5,000 Fund for Teachers grant that will allow them to travel to Germany and Ireland to experience fairy tales and folktales, which will allow them to use their experience to facilitate student learning and encourage a love of reading among their students. Eisenhower Senior High School teachers Michaelann Kelley and Mari Glamser each received $5,000 Fund for Teacher grants that will allow them to travel to Ireland to explore Northern Irish wall murals as a means of political expression through the eyes of those who create them and their intended audiences. Program presented

Heather Kirk, principal of Hall Center for Education, presented the program at the April 19 Trustees meeting. She provided an overview of the school, which is an alternative campus that is making a difference for students who need additional support due to the fact they have fallen behind in their credits.