Another Page in My Story

Over the past several years, I have the opportunity to work for several principals, in various school settings.  Principals who reminded me of what I am capable of accomplishing as a teacher, stretching and guiding my thinking as I took risks to better meet the needs of my learners and most of, led by example.  

When I was offered the 7th grade math position a year ago, I felt at peace and knew that the Lord brought me to Hughes for a reason.  Little did I realize, He was preparing me for what was to come. I was greeted with smiles back in August and peace of mind when my mother faced surgery in October.  As months would go by, our school leadership team would change, due to career opportunities.  Tricia Lyday, an assistant principal, stepped into the role of our academic principal.

It was during the spring semester, where I was reminded of why I loved being a teacher.  I found myself having conversations with Tricia about our standards and best practices, as well as the importance of having a classroom where learners feel valued and loved.  These conversations sparked a much needed enthusiasm during our fast approaching state testing season.

Fast forward to a just a few days ago, when Tricia officially became the new principal at Frazier Elementary. While it may seem unconventional to leave after just one year, the Lord had other plans.  When Tricia asked me to join her at Frazier, teaching math and science,  I knew it was an opportunity from the Lord I couldn’t pass.  I always pray, asking God to put me where He needs me, as well as to put me where the joy of teaching and learning will continue to grow in my heart.

I am excited about what our upcoming year will bring both for our Frazier Bears, but also myself!  Diving into our 4th grade math and science TEKS, I've already begun to see the connection between the foundational skills taught in 4th grade and the middle school TEKS.  I can't wait to begin laying a foundation that will spark a love of learning in both math and science.

As we close the door one last time at Hughes and open the door at Frazier for the first time, I'm already looking forward to the growth and learning that happens in room 304!

Team Stefibeth

One of the best gifts a girl could ask for is the gift of friendship! God definitely knew what He was doing when he brought me to HMS. Being able to share the craziness of middle school, including dance parties during passing period or the occasional 7th grade meltdown, I was blessed to work side by side with you during the 2018-2019 school year!  

At the beginning of our school year, both Stefanie and I faced obstacles involving the health of our parents.  I would soon realize what comfort she brought me, as she became more of a sister than just a coworker.  We found ourselves laughing at the silliness of our 7th graders, focusing on doing what was best for both them as learners and ourselves as teachers.  We persevered through new curriculum and instructional approaches, while growing closer together as teachers and friends.  After all, who else can you laugh with when a lesson flops miserably and you pull out the math photo props?!?!
                                                   

Our year together consisted of lots of moving, both in our personal lives as well as our school life.  From purchasing your first home to making fun of my color coded moving labels, our classrooms soon were packed up and moved out to the portables, just after Thanksgiving break.  Your kids and my kids soon became our kids, which brought joy to everyone's world!  

Team Stefibeth was officially established with our "official"coffee cart!  

Who can forget the fun we had during basketball and track season!  From keeping the books at the basketball games to being the time keepers for track, I don't think I've ever laughed so much from the ongoing rule changes mid-quarter of a basketball game to being asked if, if we knew how to keep time during each track event!

 

Coop taking charge of the clock during a timeout!  

Not a day goes by where I’m not reminded of how awesome God is. He knew exactly what He was doing when He brought me to HMS. Sure, I will miss our daily craziness, impromptu dance parties and morning coffee talks.  However, I will continue to celebrate our friendship, knowing I have a friend who holds me accountable in my faith, as well as being the best teacher for our kids!  
                                                
I can't wait to see what unfolds in your next chapter, as you take on your new role of being the math interventionist at Kerr...Thank you for being you!

A Class Divided

 

It’s hard to believe the 2018-2019 school year has come to a close!  Our year was filled with moments of growing and learning, sharing and caring, and shining and leading.  I’ll be honest, when I first learned about sharing a room, I wasn’t too thrilled. After all, it could only be better than what I had encountered last school year, where I shared a room with 3 different people.  At one point our room looked like a storage room with everything scattered all over the tables and floor!  During the week, lots of love and care was spent putting our room together. I remember insisting that you bring something to make the room feel like yours, not just mine.  Your Big XII pennants, which this TCU girl absolutely loved, brought more peace than I ever realize I needed. Room 103 & Portable 12 soon became our room, where we each led by example for both our students and coworkers.  

With the excitement of a new school year and adjusting to our busy schedules,  a friendship began to bloom! A friendship that is built on faith, laughter and accountability and continues to flourish each and everyday.  

 As we both know, being in athletics is a time where we as coaches pour our energy into our athletes, helping them become both an athlete on the field and a leader in the classroom. From the beginning of football season, I saw a coach who was dedicated to molding our boys and not just in it for the W.  Watching you on the sideline, as you coached the boys, I saw a man who turned failures into teaching moments, as well as using successes as building blocks. You truly allowed the Lord to shine through your words and actions! 

Thank you for being a positive influence in our lives.  Thank you for teaching our kids to be good sports, to be good people and to treat others with respect.  Most of all, thank you for loving our kids, because that is what being a patient, kind, and positive coach is really all about.
                  
Thank you for giving everything you have to make our kids better, myself a better teacher and person,  and even more importantly for being a man of God, both on the field and in the classroom!