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Community opinions A forum for readers in Dallas County

Elizabeth MooreJunior, Booker T. Washington High School for the

Visual and Performing Arts, Dallas

Activities: “My favorite classes are playwrit-ing and costume construction. I love doingcrafty things like knitting and sewing; I alwaysneed something to keep my hands busy. I alsoswim for the Bryan Adams Swim Team. I reallyenjoy the challenge and the friends I made, butwaking up at 5:45 every morning isn’t the great-est thing one can experience.”

On being a Voice: “I have a lot to say, and I’mnot afraid of saying it. I love writing; I have eversince I was a tiny kid.”

How others might describe her: “My mommight describe me as ‘messy, difficult at times, alittle too witty.’ My teachers might say, ‘intelli-gent, opinionated, punctual.’ ”

Nathan SchulmanJunior, Lake Highlands High School

Activities: Varsity wrestler, member — FirstUnitarian Church of Dallas, member, Boy ScoutTroop 577. “I am a Life Scout and expect to earnmy Eagle Scout rank soon. People know that if Imake a commitment to be somewhere or dosomething specific, I can be counted on to keepmy word.”

Newspaper interest: “When I was little, mymother shared newspaper articles with me. Thisis probably where my interest in politics devel-oped — I closely followed the Gore/ Bush elec-tion contest as a second-grader, with my motherreading me daily news reports.”

Column idea: High school athletics focus onsuccess, which necessarily features the mosttalented athletes, but leaves most students out ofthe team experience. Should schools create teamopportunities for all students who want to par-ticipate in team sports?

Rebecca BielamowiczJunior, Hillcrest High School, Dallas

Activities: Staff writer on the HillcrestHurricane, first lieutenant on the Panader drillteam, Mu Alpha Theta, a member of GreenClub and Book Club.

On living in Oak Cliff: “Unfortunately,because I’m white but happen to attend publicschool in North Dallas (for better academicopportunities), most find it hard to believe thatpeople like me live in Oak Cliff. For too long,Oak Cliff has had a negative image. A tight-knitcommunity of middle-class artists, bakers,chefs, hair stylists, baristas and more havecome together to create a new Oak Cliff.”

What her journalism adviser says: “Shetackles all issues head-on and knows how tocover all sides of a topic. Becca’s passion andlove for writing are ones that I wish all of myjournalism students had.”

Robert IrbyMath teacher, Woodrow Wilson High School,

East Dallas

Background: “I spent seven years teachingsecondary and elementary vocal music in boththe Waco and Dallas school districts. My under-graduate degree is in music education fromBaylor University, but since graduating, I havedone the course work and taken the certifyingexams to earn secondary mathematics and com-puter science teaching certifications. In all, Ihave 31 years of teaching students at all levels.”

Why he teaches: “I firmly believe that, inorder to be productive citizens, we need to beinformed consumers of mathematics. For thisreason, I am particularly partial to my AP Statis-tics course. I relish the notion of informing stu-dents on how math is utilized in virtually everyfacet of our lives, from the development of mira-cle drugs to public opinion.”

Experience: Has taught every high schoolmath course offered in Dallas ISD.

Michael HaringFourth-grade math teacher, L.L. Hotchkiss

Elementary, East Dallas

Background: “I had a sales job that didnothing for me emotionally. I wanted to make adifference, and I felt like teaching was one waythat I could do that.”

Pathway to the classroom: “I enrolled in theDISD alternative certification program. Aboutfour years later, my faculty voted me in as cam-pus teacher of the year.”

On connecting with kids: “I feel like, for themost part, I have a very good rapport with chil-dren. They seem to get my quirkiness. Theyseem to find me amusing. I could never act thesame way in front of a group of adults. I candance in front of kids, sing, rap, make jokes, andthey think I should be on TV because of it. Whatbetter way to find your inner child than bearound children all day?”

Korey MackTeacher, Williams Preparatory School, Dallas

Background: Grew up in Oak Cliff andattended St. Mark’s School of Texas. “For manyresidents, life in the northern and southernsectors of Dallas is a world apart, but for me,crossing the ‘bridge’ twice daily brought outstriking similarities in the midst of the starkcontrast.”

What he teaches: “I teach health, physicaleducation and road to college, a required coursefor all high school students at Williams Prep,one of Uplift Education’s highest performingcharter schools.”

Family: His grandmother graduated fromBooker T. Washington (1949) and taught in theDallas ISD for 35 years. His aunt was one of thefirst black students to attend and graduate fromthe Hockaday School in 1977 and also became ateacher. “Without them, the power of educationwould still be foreign to me.”

Gloria PelcherTeacher, Inspired Vision Academy, Pleasant Grove

Hobbies: Writing, photography and webpublishing.

Why she teaches: “I teach because it iswhere my heart is. I want to change a child’sworld by helping expanding their knowledge ofthe world around them. Some of my students’worlds are so small, and every day that I walkinto the classroom, I feel a great responsibility togive it my all, to do my part in changing theirworld and future.”

When she’ll quit: “If for some reason I amno longer passionate about teaching, I will findsomething else to do. Students deserve teacherswho want to be in the classroom. It’s a high-stakes profession and sometimes it is difficult,but I am blessed that I get to call myself a teach-er.”

Dionne JohnsonEnglish literature teacher, Peak Preparatory

Charter School, downtown Dallas

Background: “I am originally from NewOrleans and moved to Dallas after HurricaneKatrina. I worked in insurance sales and claimsfor 13 years. After the hurricane, I began toevaluate my life and goals. I determined that lifewas too short to be in a career that I lackedpassion for.”

Results of the life change: “I can honestlysay for the first time in my life that I truly enjoymy job at the end of the day.”

Writing approach: She plans to work withone of her students when writing columns. “Itwould give me and my student the opportunityto freely express our opinions about our chang-ing world and education system, from both ateacher and student perspective.”

Bryan LindseyEnglish teacher, Sunset High School, Oak Cliff

Where he has taught: “I’ve spent most of thelast decade in two of the 10 buildings that madeThe Dallas Morning News listing of chronicallyfailing schools. That’s not exactly a badge ofhonor; however, I’m proud to have spent mycareer at these schools.”

On challenges: “I believe that environmentsthat are the most challenged and challengingoffer opportunities that others can’t. They arecrucibles, where things change rapidly anddramatically because they must. At best, thisleads to innovation and the willingness to takerisks on the part of the faculty and administra-tion. I’m excited and inspired by such environ-ments.”

Column ideas: What if we changed from asubject-based model to a cross-curricular,theme-based model? Would eliminating privateschools improve public schools?

Alexandra SabaterBilingual first-grade teacher, Mt. Auburn

Elementary School, East Dallas

How she describes DISD: “A jarring blendof excellence, exhaustion, poverty and affluence.To truly represent Dallas, Teacher Voices shouldspeak for and from campuses like mine, where95 percent of the students are Latino and 94percent of the population qualifies for free orreduced lunch.”

On writing: “I hope I can add to the in-formed debate by reflecting on how abstractpolitical and societal shifts are actually lived byyoung children, their families andteachers.”

Classroom transformation: “Reserved andcautious by nature, I come alive in the class-room. There, I have enthusiasm! I have direc-tion! I have conviction! I put my passion forbooks, my attention to detail, my creativity andmy impatience to work, not where they annoymy family and friends but where they inspireexcellence.”

Tehjal SuriSenior, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas

Passion for journalism: “As a staff journal-ist, I am thrilled to see my school newspaper as Ipull it out of my adviser’s jam-packed HondaCivic trunk. Every distribution day occurs on aWednesday, and those six Wednesdays are thebest Wednesdays of my school year.”

Plans: “Although the time is approaching tostart applying to colleges, I’m really not surewhere I’d like to go. I hope to be a future journal-ist on CNN, if not a surgeon, or, like my dad says,the best option would be medical journalism.”

What her journalism sponsor says: “Tehjalis a creative thinker who tackles interesting,timely, important topics. She knows how toaddress a universal topic through a personalexperience, and she does not mind puttingherself on the line.”

Rolando VelasquezJunior, Judge Barefoot Sanders Magnet Center

for Public Service, Dallas

Activities: Varsity debate team. Philosophy: “I have a strong sense of social

justice. I believe that everyone deserves anopportunity, and no one should be margin-alized.”

What his law instructor says: “He dis-tinguishes himself as an inquisitive student withexceptional study skills and a penchant forcreative projects. I remember well his portrayalof a Greek in the International Fest project. Heimmersed himself in the role, working outcostuming, props and regional accent. This istypical of Rolando. He appreciates the impor-tance of the experiential component of learningand is always searching for creative ways tobecome immersed in the subject matter.”

JaCedric KnightSophomore, School of Education and Social

Services Magnet Center, Dallas

Strong opinions: “I have strong opinionsabout many things. When my father, OsleyCook, was a Teacher Voice, I always wanted toadd my two cents to his responses.”

Area of interest: “The Dallas ISD schoolboard has always caught my attention becausestudents need to be informed about the deci-sions they are making. Students should knowhow these decisions affect them in school.”

What others say: JaCedric says his teachersand school friends think of him as funny, butthat he has a serious side, too. His supervisor asa junior usher at Friendship-West Church says,“Whenever we need a confident student torepresent our group or church, JaCedric Knightis who we think of first.”

Grace CicardoJunior, Ursuline Academy, Dallas

Family: Oldest of four girls, including a4-year-old sister. “While being the oldest is noteasy, I have learned to be a leader and havebecome more patient and respectful.”

On her all-girls background: “My female-based upbringing has a major influence on myview of the world. I have learned that you cannever underestimate the power of the woman. Ihave also come to love writing about the manyamazing women in our world today. I stronglybelieve that women are often overlooked inhistory.”

On private schools: “I think Catholicschools, and private schools in general, have abad reputation. Private school kids are thoughtof as privileged, snotty and rich. These adjectivesare, for the most part, false. Students from anyschool often have the same hopes and dreams.”

They’re raising their voicesToday, we introduce our 2010-11 Teacher Voices and Student Voices volunteers.

They will write columns and be featured in Sounding Off on Sundays.

Casey BolandSocial studies teacher,

Lake Highlands High School, Dallas

Activities: Volunteers her time with Aca-demic Decathlon, Richardson ISD StudentAssistance Programs, the Sixth Floor Museum,Wilshire Baptist Church and Dallas Area In-terfaith.

Outlook on teaching: “I am daily immersedin the realities of public education. My 12 yearsat LHHS proves that being a classroom teacheris not to me a stepping stone for anything else —it is my passion, my calling, the thorn in my sideand my joy. I do not want to go back into thebusiness world, and I do not want to go intoadministration. I am a classroom teacher.”

Outlook on learning: “While I do not be-lieve all children can learn everything (calculusrobbed me of that fantasy), I do believe that allchildren can be taught to learn and to think.”

Rachel SiegelSophomore, Yavneh Academy of Dallas

Storytelling background: “For my BatMitzvah, I compiled the stories of 36 non-Jewswho rescued Jews during the Holocaust andwrote a book documenting their heroic acts ofcourage.

Getting results: Through speaking engage-ments and sales of her book, Stories of MoralCourage in the Face of Evil, she raised over$15,000 for the Jewish Foundation for theRighteous, an organization that works to sup-port these aged “rescuers.” As a result, she wasnamed one of 10 national winners of the GloriaBarron Prize for Young Heroes earlier this year.

Other activities: Works for the school paperand takes tennis and piano lessons. She’s alsothe president of a student group raising funds tobuild a school in Ethiopia.

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Luanne HaysFine arts director, Ovilla Christian School, Red Oak

Why she teaches: “I long to make an impact.I long to make kids understand me. I long totravel with kids. I long to have them rememberthe important things in life. I long to make themsee beyond their ‘box’ and draw outside the lines.I long to inspire them to have excellence. I longfor them to see others around them. I long forthem to take a stand. ”

Other duties: “I am also the academic/speech coach, and I led our team to second placein state in 2009 for TAPPS 3A academic/speechcompetition and direct a yearly musical held inthe spring.” She was the TAPPS 3A fine artsteacher of the year last year.

Column idea: “Parents — why do they thinkan ‘A’ means success?”

Ashley CooleySecond grade teacher, Hilltop Elementary, Argyle

Why she teaches: “Teachers fall in love withthe kids in their class every year and think ofeach student as their own child (if only for ashort time). Teachers give so much of their time,heart, and self to their students and their com-munity. The happiest people are those who dothings for others. Teachers are very lucky, and weknow that! We work very hard and are rewardedin ways that are indescribable and endless.”

Other roles: “I am a wife, mother of twoyoung children, certified Pilates instructor,dancer, blogger, Julia Child devotee and Ala-bama alumna.”

Column idea: “The arts and foreign lan-guage should be available for children of all agesin every school; every child has the right to beexposed regardless of the price.”

Daniel KastenEnglish, world religions, and meditation teacher,

Greenhill School, Addison

Background: “I am a 60-year-old whiteman. I grew up on a family farm in Minnesota,attended a tiny village school with 27 students inmy graduating class, then worked my waythrough the local community college and anearby state university. I have been teachingsince 1971.”

Overseas experience: “I did a year as aFulbright exchange teacher in London. My wifeand I also taught English at a Japanese women’scollege for six years, and before that I spentthree years at a Turkish boys’ boarding school.”

A dose of idealism: “I teach because I can’timagine a more satisfying job. I spend every dayhelping bright, engaged adolescents grow. In theprocess, I grow with them. I know that soundshopelessly idealistic, but it’s true. I believe that agood teacher is one who loves kids and loves hissubject. That’s enough.”

Kara AdkinsSophomore, Coppell High School

Activities: National Honor Society, church,school newspaper. “I love volunteering andhelping out at the homeless shelter whenever Ican. Also, this is my first year to be a staff writeron Coppell’s school newspaper, the Sidekick.”

On writing: “Writing is my biggest passionin life; there is nothing more liberating thanholding that pen in your hand knowing that youhave complete control of the words you’re aboutto write. In my life, writing has always been anescape and a way to express myself with nolimits. More than anything, I would love to be ajournalist when I’m older.”

Some column ideas: “Abusive teenagedating, teenage obesity and the entitlementteens feel from growing up in affluent suburbslike Coppell and Southlake.”

Ricardo MoralesSenior, Summit International Preparatory,

Arlington

Activities: Vice president of the debate team,he enjoys competing in dramatic interpretation,duet acting and student congress. “At thesetournaments, I witnessed firsthand the ‘achieve-ment gap’ between students from wealthierbackgrounds and students from lower socioeco-nomic backgrounds. The wealthier students atthese tournaments are generally able to performat a level higher than the poorer students, be-cause they have a stronger educational back-ground.”

Achievements: Ricardo is the only memberof Summit’s team to have advanced to the finalround of three events at one tournament.

On teens: “Teenagers are constantly de-nounced as being immature and behavinginappropriately, but in reality, teenagers can bearticulate and can present a diverse perspectivea community needs.”

Katelyn BurksSenior, Hebron High School, Carrollton

On writing: “I am an editor on my schoolnewspaper, the Hawk Eye. I love to write, and Iam constantly narrating in my mind how Iwould describe an experience or my viewpointon something. I enjoy doing all types of jour-nalistic writing for my school paper, but I getespecially excited when I get a chance to voicemy own opinions.”

Handy skill: “I could always see the otherside of an argument, so I could rationally ex-press my position in a column.”

What her newspaper adviser says: “Kate-lyn is never satisfied with her performance,which ensures exemplary work. This shows methat she takes pride in her performance — anattribute that is missing from many of today’sstudents.”

Blaine MountainEnglish teacher, MacArthur High School, Irving

How he became a teacher: “Teaching wasnot on my vocational radar. I was beyond brokein college, and my roommate had recently start-ed substitute teaching. In the bowels of Lub-bock’s penny-scraping Red Raider land, $55 aday was the equivalent of hitting the TexasLottery. My roommate told me that subbing wasan ‘easy’ gig, so I soon followed his lead andenlisted in the trenches of public education.”

Why he stayed a teacher: “I teach out of acraving — a craving to explore new material andtake what I’ve learned in books about how welearn and apply them.”

Column idea: “Coffee and the classics: howboth are an acquired taste.”

Gerry HudmanGerman teacher, Hebron High School, Carrollton

Background: “I am a member of the StateBar of Texas, with a JD from the University ofTexas at Austin earned in 1982. I am also theparent of three children, ages 16 to 24, so I lookat educational issues from a dual perspective.”

Why she teaches: “I teach because, as aparent volunteer, I discovered somewhat to mysurprise that I like working with children andteens. As a teacher, I get to work with thesefascinating, frustrating and funny creaturesevery day. And every day I learn something new.Teaching is challenging and rewarding work,and there is always the hope and possibility ofdoing some good in the world.”

Column idea: “The American vs. Europeansystem of high schools: How should we be pre-paring our students for adult life?”

Elizabeth SuggsHumanities teacher, North Hills Preparatory, Irving

Background: Completed her first year ofteaching last year at North Hills Prep. Spendingthis coming year as a student once again atNYU’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Pro-gram. “After spending time as a reporter, aHollywood intern and a journalism graduatestudent at Baylor University, I decided that ayear spent teaching would be the perfect way totransition from graduation to the real world. Ifound that I was not wrong.”

Why she teaches: “Teaching has been, inevery way, a beautiful completion to my formaleducation. It’s especially satisfying because I’vereturned to teach at the very school I graduatedfrom in 2003. To me, my paycheck is like ascholarship to keep learning.”

Why she’s raising her voice now: “I thinkyoung people still straddling the transition fromstudent to teacher are in a unique, once-in-a-lifetime position. And I hope to share someideas with the community on this panel whileI’m still one of those people.”

Caren StuebeSophomore, Northwest High School, Justin

On sports: “A highly competitive studentathlete, I appreciate the silence running brings.When I run, the world fades away. My instinctstake over, and everything else seems inconse-quential. As a varsity athlete in cross-country,soccer and track, I have learned that sports cando more than cut calories. The rush of adrena-line, intensity of competition and thrill of suc-cess draw my mind away from the daily compli-cations of life.”

What her global studies teacher says:“Caren is a perceptive young woman with a keenawareness of the need for cultural awarenessand tolerance, and the ability to write aboutthese issues succinctly and thoughtfully.”

Educational outlook: “I crave the informa-tion the textbook cannot bring, the people I haveyet to encounter, and the foreign ideas I yearn tocomprehend.”

Matt WatsonSenior, Flower Mound High School

Introduction: “First and foremost, I am amusician. I’ve been playing piano for 10 years.I’ve also been a member of the Flower MoundHigh School drumline for three years, going onfour. I wouldn’t trade my time in the musicprogram for anything. The camaraderie, thededication and that spine-tingling feeling ofbeing a part of something much larger thanyourself have all been major factors in the per-son I am today and the person I’ll grow up to be.”

On travel: “I’ve been to Europe twice — onceon an expenses-paid trip for a national essaycontest — and have been bitten hard by thetravel bug. I welcome every opportunity travelbrings to get out of my comfort zone.”

On his friends: “We make the absolute mostof a community where other kids complainabout having nothing to do.”

Lily NgaruiyaSenior, Summit International Preparatory,

Arlington

Background: “Being the child of two Kenyanimmigrants, I have always been influenced witha culture other than American. I love and em-brace my Kenyan ethnicity, as well as all others.”

Activities: “I serve as a member of StudentCouncil, vice president of Key Club, and secre-tary of our speech and debate club. The city ofArlington appointed me as a student represen-tative on the Arlington Public Library board. Atmy church, I am in charge of teen church, andevery month I organize a teen day for all theyouth in our church while also serving on theoverall youth council. My activities have taughtme great management and people skills.”

Lessons learned: “How to surround myselfwith capable and innovative people.”

They’re raising their voicesToday, we introduce our 2010-11 Teacher Voices and Student Voices volunteers.

They will write columns and be featured in Sounding Off on Sundays.

WILLIAM “BUBBA” FLINT/Special Contributor

Thanks in CarrolltonThere are a few things that I would

like to thank the Carrollton City Coun-cil for.

I would like to thank Matthew Mar-chant for bringing the K2 ordinanceforward. When I talked to him aboutthis, he was already on it. He has al-ways been concerned for the safety ofour youth.

I would like to thank the City Coun-cil for not raising taxes this year. I knowthey did a lot of hard work looking atthings the city could cut or do differ-ently.

I would like to thank Jeff Andonian,Matthew Marchant, Lisa Sutter andKevin Falconer for not raising taxes

served in the same office over and overagain, has taken us for granted. I trulybelieve he feels all he has to do is showup, and he is an automatic shoe-in.

Irving voters hold a big key to whois going to win this commissioner’srace in November.

I am pretty active in Irving politics,and I can honestly say that since 1994,I cannot recall one major benefit May-field has contributed to making Irvingbetter.

Like his decision to support an out-dated trolley system in Dallas, May-field seems out of touch with his con-stituents. We have a great opportunityto change this.

Anthony E. Bond, Irving

last year. When the mayor and othercouncil members were adamant aboutraising taxes, they stuck to their guns.

If they had not done so, our taxeswould have needlessly been raised.These council members are true con-servatives.

Becky Miller, Carrollton

Garcia for Dallas CountyElba Garcia should be the next Dal-

las County Commissioner for District4, which includes Irving.

Current Distict 4 County Commis-sioner Ken Mayfield has held this seatsince 1994 and has not represented uswell at all.

He, like a lot of politicians who have

LETTERS

Community opinions A forum for readers in Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties

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Andrew ClarkJunior, Allen High School

Personal introduction: “I don’t do myhomework regularly, often scrambling to do it atthe last minute, so choosing me for this wouldprobably not be a good idea. … But that aside, Ihave an excellent work ethic, dedication andintegrity, which are about as evident as thebacteria in yogurt. These attributes allow me toexcel in the modern academic world, as well asclimb the social ladder, and epitomize the defi-nition of the word ‘awesome.’ ”

Others would say: “I have been described asirresistible and impetuously charming by theladies and am often considered to be among theranks of the world’s top comedians and schol-ars.”

But seriously: “I will add the comedic touchthat this section of the paper needs.”

Krista SimandlSenior, Princeton High School

Her childhood: “As a unit of three, mymother, brother and I were transplanted repeat-edly; we took on the shape of apartments inWest Virginia, hotel rooms in California, smallhouses in South Carolina and duplexes in Texas.My brother and I grew somewhat clumsily,gripping only each other as the gravity of ourmother inevitably shifted us from one school tothe next.”

What her history teacher says: “Her writ-ing is technically proficient, but it is the holisticaspects of her writing that are exceptional. Herwriting holds voice and context and really seemsto draw the reader into her world.”

Column ideas: “Troubles/triumphs of mygeneration, personal memoirs, morality intoday’s society.”

Laurenda GauthierSophomore, Plano Clark High School

Activities: Drawing, writing, playing piano,entomology. “I have a blue belt in the YounWha Ryu style of Tae Kwon Do.”

Entomology?: “I am a member of the FFA:captain of the Entomology Team. I would liketo attend either the University of Guelph inCanada, or Texas A&M University, and I amhoping to pursue a career in veterinary medi-cine.”

Why she writes: “I would enjoy writingabout agriculture, social issues and science/technology. I wanted to be a Voices columnistbecause I want to make a difference in thisworld, and I want to share the beauty in thingsthat are often overlooked.”

Richard EdwardsSeventh-grade language arts teacher,

McKinney ISD

Previous careers: “I spent six years in theU.S. Army and 22 years in the private sector as asoftware developer and trainer.”

On his enthusiastic style: “I have beenasked, ‘Are you a preacher?’ My response is, ‘I’m apreacher of English!’ I hope my passion as ateacher will ignite their passion for somethingother than themselves. Too many people do notfollow their passion, and our nation suffers as aresult. This is why I teach.”

Column ideas: Why running education like abusiness may or may not be a good idea. Thedamage of multiple choice tests on thinking.

Kim McClanahanComputer technology teacher, Garland

Alternative Education Center

Why she teaches: “My opportunity to teachcame after getting fed up with the businessworld and innocently agreeing to fill in for ateacher friend one day. I absolutely loved it.”

Connecting with students: For 13 years, shehas taught at an alternative school for discipline.“I believe with my entire being that God put mein this position with these special, challengingchildren to give them tough love, understandingand exceptional academic expectations theyhaven’t seen in the past. I have a gift for identify-ing learning disabilities, as I myself have dyslex-ia and struggled in school.”

Column ideas: Gangs, drugs and culturaleducation for parents.

Doug ValentineLibrarian, McKillop Elementary School, Melissa

Educational philosophy: “I strongly believethat we need to look at new ways to teach today’s‘digital natives’ to prepare them for the challeng-es of our 21st century world. … I like to think Iam developing good citizens for our country’sfuture.”

Inspiration: “Teaching is the one professionin which you can go home every night and feellike you have made a difference in someone’slife. … My principal tells me that I am ‘sowingseeds of which I may never see the fruit.’ ”

Recent honor: Association of Texas Profes-sional Educators Special Services Teacher of theYear.

Christy RobbinsReading specialist, Northrich Elementary,

Richardson

What she does: “I pull small groups of strug-gling students from the standard classroom, butI’ve also adapted my job so I can pull groups ofstudents who are advanced beyond the grade-level TEKS and need an extra push. I am givenpermission to use my passion for curriculum totry to find the links to put it all together andcreate a successful reader.”

Thoughts on testing: “I’m for state tests,maybe just not this one. … It’s important allstudents grow whether they can pass the test dayone of the school year, or day 150.”

Column idea: “Teacher retention — it’s a jobyou do because you love it. There is this wholeconcept about the ‘breaks’ that draw people in,but trust me, most of that is smoke and mirrors.”

Brandon VestalEighth-grade history teacher, Utley Middle School, Rockwall

What drives him: “I am passionate aboutengaging students, their parents and the publicand informing them of what’s really happeningin the classroom and what needs to happen tomake education work better.”

Column idea: Taking an honest look at theachievement gap between ethnic groups.

Why he teaches history: “It is a subject aptlysuited for character lessons. I have not metanyone who doesn’t like a good story, and that’sall history is: one big narrative. I tell my studentsthat we study history to celebrate the accom-plishments and learn from the mistakes ofothers because they will continue the story ofhistory. I want them to make good history.”

Barbara SpringsSeventh-grade English teacher, Bussey Middle School, Garland

Career path: “Like many teachers thesedays, I’m a career-switcher. I came to teachingafter some years in journalism and public rela-tions and then some time staying home with mychildren.”

On feeling prepared: “A teacher prep pro-gram doesn’t tell you what to do when a studentthinks it’s funny to belch on command in themiddle of a test or how to break up a fight. Onthe other hand, it also doesn’t tell you how thrill-ing it can be to see students engaged and excitedabout what they’re reading. Or to see a studentwho has struggled to write a paragraph proudlyproduce a full-length essay.”

Column idea: “The Center on Educationpolicy reports that boys lag behind girls onstandardized reading tests in all 50 states. Whatcan get boys reading?”

Alex GandyEnglish teacher, J.J. Pearce High School,

Richardson

Background: A 23-year-old entering hersecond year of teaching at the same schoolwhere she graduated as salutatorian in 2005.

On being back home: “I still struggle withcalling my fellow teachers by their first names. Ithas made for some interesting moments —especially adding to that the fact that my youn-gest sister is a student who walks past my roomto get to her classes every day (and tries to ask forpasses out of class).”

In her free time: “I’m an avid yoga enthusi-ast; I watch the news like it’s a drug; and I justfinished editing a book by my former professorthat will be published in the next severalmonths.”

Susan BinJunior, Plano Senior High School

Background: A Chinese-American whosefamily moved to Plano shortly after Sept. 11,2001. She describes Plano as “a suburban land-scape that stirs memories of the 1950s, wherecollege is assumed, minivans are the dominantfeature and wealth is inexorable. And Beijing isa world away from Plano.”

On where she’s from: “I spent my summersa stranger in my native land, my tongue anuntrained muscle at Mandarin, and my Amer-ican values painfully clashing with Easternascetics. I like to believe that from these strainsis where one of my most personal mantrasdeveloped: ‘Don’t believe them when they tellyou that where you’re from is where youbelong.’ ”

On school: “I genuinely like school; I adhereto it; there’s a commonality in it, there’s anunseen camaraderie to it.”

Maggie SipioraSenior, McKinney High School

Personal introduction: “If you’re lookingfor a straight-A student in all ‘gifted and tal-ented’ classes, that’s not me, but let me tell youwho I am. I’m a theater kid, involved in everyschool production and also community theater.I sing, act and dance and hope that Broadway isin my future.”

Other activities: Swim team, newspaperstaff, Young Democrats.

Wants to write about: “My mother haswritten columns for The Dallas Morning Newsand discussed our family. I could provide anoth-er perspective such as, “What’s a kid to do with araving Republican father and a liberal, left-wingmother?” Or, “How do teenage kids feel abouthaving two parents who work full-time jobs withlong hours?”

Brittany LawsonSenior, North Mesquite High School

Introduction: “I’m an independent workerwith an open mind and an easy smile. I’m ambi-tious with a unique voice that desires and de-serves to be heard.”

Senior schedule: “I will be co-editor of myschool’s newspaper along with taking all AP orhonor courses. I understand time managementand how hard work can pay off.”

What her English teacher says: “I could notwait for submissions to start for Student Voices.Brittany Lawson was the first student I ap-proached about applying. I have been able towatch her writing grow and see her come intoher voice. … Brittany’s perspective on life willalso captivate readers, because she is a giftedteenager from a single-parent household.”

Austin SchubertSenior, Plano East Senior High School

Work history: “First as a basketball time-keeper, currently as a swimming lesson teacher.In my job, I’m responsible, show up on time,respect my boss and work hard. People woulddescribe me as hard-working, passionate, in-telligent and friendly. My good work ethic is oneof my defining characteristics, and it translatesover into everything I do.”

Career aspiration: Sportswriter. On the run: “I run cross country for Plano

East, running at least six days a week, yearround. This hard work has translated into run-ning better times. Being a student athlete givesme a unique perspective that I think would helpme in writing.”

They’re raising their voicesToday, we introduce our 2010-11 Teacher Voices and Student Voices volunteers.

They will write columns and be featured in Sounding Off on Sundays.

Bhooma SrinivasanHead of school and teacher, Riddle Street

Montessori, McKinney

Career path: “I am a parent advocate turnededucator. The journey to help my child find theright school lead me to open a unique schoolcombining Montessori curriculum with ad-vanced methods for gifted children.”

Why she teaches: “I teach because I knowwhat it’s like to be frustrated with the system. Iteach because the majority of today’s teachersare under-educated about how to work with andteach gifted children.”

Before starting her own school: Volun-teered for two years with the Lewisville ISDgifted classes and has a doctor of philosophy inbiomedical sciences from the University ofNorth Texas, where she completed a post-doc-toral research fellowship, and completed apost-doctoral research fellowship at UT South-western Medical Center.

Renee CostelloSenior, Rockwall High School

Activities: Co-editor of the Rockwall HighSchool student paper, The Stinger, and presi-dent of the school’s sailing club. “I enjoy trav-eling with my family and expanding my smallyet hopeful library of books.”

Wants to write about: “Whether collegesshould consider SAT scores and GPA over classrank when accepting students.”

What her English teacher says: “Renee isable to understand some issues in a deeper andmore mature way than many of her peers. Al-most without exception, when we have a classdiscussion, Renee will add insight and value.Her critical thinking skills are much higher thanthose of a typical high school junior.”

Community opinions A forum for readers in Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties