Extra Credit

Dunbar Middle School staffers oppose principal reassignment

Trustees approved 16 new principal assignments during last night's meeting, including the reassignment of Dunbar Middle School principal Crystal Goodman to the Center for New Lives, an alternative school for pregnant or parenting teens.

About 20 Dunbar staffers attended the meeting asking the board not to reassign Goodman saying she's completely changed the culture of the school in the time she's been there. Some noted that the school was once condsidered academically unacceptable by the state (in 2006 and 2007) and now is making great strides on state tests, though science passing rates still lag.

"Sometimes whenever you make changes, it's not for the best," math coach Marsha Bean said.

Howard Robinson, currently an assistant principal at Dunbar High School, was named the middle school's new principal.

Carter-Riverside and Polytechnic high schools also received new princpals. The other appointments were:

 Name                            Current Position                                              New Position 
Middle School Principals
Joshua Delich                  Assistant Principal Wedgwood Middle         Principal Riverside Middle
Leeann Michalak-Bartee  Principal Leonard 6th Grade Center             Principal Monnig Middle  
Laura Stegall                  Principal Monnig Middle                              Principal McLean 6th Grade Center
Carlos Walker                 Assistant Principal O.D. Wyatt High            Principal Morningside Middle
Elementary School Principals
Joel Aguilar-Villanueva    Assistant Principal M.H. Moore           Principal Seminary Hills Park
Valorie Bedford               Assistant Principal M.L. Phillips          Principal Waverly Park
Raven Brown                  Assistant Principal Western Hills         PrincipalI.M. Terrell
Monica Granados            Principal Hubbard Heights                  Principal Natha Howell
Andrea Lange                Assistant Principal  Benbrook              Principal J.T. Stevens
Carlos Mendoza             Principal Natha Howell                        Principal Hubbard Heights
Alternative Schools
Jane Cote                 Diagnostician Evaluation Specialist          Principal Jo Kelly School 
Conneka Neal            Assistant Principal Polytechnic High         Principal Middle Level Learning Center

-Eva-Marie Ayala

Polytechnic High School principal who was honored for turnaround work retires

Gary Braudaway, who has been praised by many for his work to save Poly, is retiring after 29 years in the Fort Worth school district.

"I've been praying on it for two years," Braudaway said. "I know it is time now. In my heart, I know. But I'm very proud of the work we've accomplished at Poly."

Poly was on the brink of being forced closed by the state because of chronically low test scores. Braudaway, who had been principal for five years (pictured at right in the orange shirt), was credited by students, staff and the community for building a family environment at the school that they said help drive dramatic gains on test scores to help improve the school.

"He's always motivating everyone to do our best," student DeAndre Reed said in 2010 of Braudaway. "It's because of him that our school is where we are today."

In 2010, Braudaway was one of 10 principals in the state to be a finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards, nominated because of his work at Poly. However, last year the school did dip down to an unacceptable rating again because of low school completion rates, the number of students who graduate on time or continue into school a fifth year.

Braudaway said he had no set plans for retirement yet but does plan to be on campus often. Trustees appointed current Riverside Middle School principal Daniel Scroggins as his replacement. Scroggins (at far right in the picture) has been with the district 25 years.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

Local LULAC leaders support Hispanic woman for Fort Worth superintendent

Tarrant County area LULAC leaders told school trustees that they were upset a qualified Hispanic woman was not named to Fort Worth school’s interim superintendent post in favor of a man who has fewer qualifications.

Chief of Administration Sylvia Reyna, (pictured at left) who came to the district last summer after nearly 30 years in San Antonio area public schools, holds a superintendent certification and a doctorate, her supporters pointed out at tonight’s meeting. “We women need not be overlooked for positions,” said Deborah Lott, an area LULAC leader who is African American.

Walter Dansby, who has been in the Fort Worth district 37 years and was previously deputy superintendent, was named interim superintendent earlier this month. Dansby, who is black, has said he began taking the superintendent certification test last summer but did not complete it when he had to address issues related to school construction. He has served as a teacher, coach, principal and administrator in Fort Worth and most recently oversaw the bond program.

Reyna’s supporters note that 60 percent of Fort Worth’s students are Hispanic and nearly a third are limited-English speakers. Reyna holds a bachelor’s in Spanish and French.

Reyna said she was surprised and honored by the community’s show of support for her. She said she supports Dansby as he takes on his new duties.

When asked if she was interested in the post permanently, Reyna replied, “Certainly, I'm qualified. If it's in the cards, I would take that opportunity.”Dansby replaces outgoing superintendent Melody Johnson, who resigned from the district after nearly six years.

Trustee Carlos Vasquez, one of Dansby's most vocal supporters, said at the time of the interim appointment that he was asked by others why he didn’t push for a Hispanic candidate. He said then that he wasn’t looking at race but for the most qualified person, which he said Dansby is.

Dansby has said he is not interested in the position permanently but will serve as long as the district needs him. A noon reception is planned Friday by a coalition of Black and Hispanic leaders for the community to meet Dansby. It will be at the Villas of Eastwood Terrace, 4700 E. Berry St.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

 

Tarrant high school teachers finalists for Presidential Award classroom innovation

Two teachers at high schools in Tarrant County are among six state finalists for an award that recognizes exemplary teaching in math and science, the Texas Education Agency announced Tuesday.

The 2011 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching honors teachers in grades seven through 12 who use innovative methods for instruction in their classrooms.

Jill Stevens is among three Texas finalists who teach secondary math. Stevens teaches Advanced Placement calculus, algebra II and International Baccalaureate courses at Trinity High School in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district.

Other Texas math finalists are Dixie Ross at Pflugerville High School and Cynthia Knowles at Eisenhower Senior High School in Aldine school district.

Gianluca Corsi, who teaches environmental science at Haltom High School in the Birdville school district, is among three finalists who teach secondary science.

Other Texas science finalists are Joy Killough of Westwood High School in Round Rock schools and Mary Tykoski at Cooper Junior High School in Wylie school district.

The program is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. One math and one science teacher from each state will be chosen for the national award after a review by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators. Each winner will get $10,000, an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. and other prizes.

Teachers of students in kindergarten through sixth grade will be eligible for the accolades next year.

Jessamy Brown

Fort Worth students' efforts part of city earning All-American recognition

This weekend Fort Worth earned its third claim to being an All-American City. The honor comes from the National Civic League, which awards the moniker to cities and towns for efforts that focus on innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement and cross collaboration.

The We Are Legal anti-graffiti program was one of three cited for this year's win. Through W.A.L., Fort Worth art students create murals on buildings that have been chronically hit by taggers. In 2009, the students helped a small convenient store that was being marked up by rival gangs (pictured at right). Last summer, they helped cover graffiti on a small building at Calvary Cathedral International church's complex that housed materials for Operation Stitches, an outreach of the church that collects school supplies and groceries for those in need (pictured below). 

Among those involved are Mary Boswell, a Carter-Riverside High School art teacher, and Maria Patino, a former art teacher who worked on W.A.L. projects at Diamond Hill-Jarvis and North Side high schools.

You can see the NCL's announcement and Mayor Mike Moncrief's acceptance here beginning at timestamp 40:25.

 

 

-Eva-Marie Ayala

Fort Worth cancels annual convocation event, opts for digital message

Interim superintendent Walter Dansby issued his first message to staff today, announcing the district's annual convocation event at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center will not take place. Traditionally, the district brings in a motivational speaker and holds two convocations -- one for elementary schools and one for secondary schools -- just before classes begin for a pep rally of sorts for staff. Last year's convocation cost the district $29,000 and included New York University professor Dr. Pedro Noguera.

"I have heard from many of you that you would like to have an additional day before school starts to work at your campuses," Dansby wrote to staff. "You have told me that your focus needs to be on improving the academic achievement of our students and the best way for you to do that is to have more time at your school and in your classrooms when you return."

Aug. 16 will be a campus work day, but a pre-recorded convocation message will be sent to campuses for principals to play for staff at their convenience.

Dansby also wrote about upcoming challenges and changes facing the district -- such as new state tests, five new schools, the new Gold Seal programs of choice and ongoing financial concerns. His message can be seen here.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

 

Fort Worth trustees discuss duties of interim superintendent

School board members are in closed session discussing what the duties of interim superintendent Walter Dansby will be. Dansby began his duties this week replacing Melody Johnson, who had been at the helm six years. 

"I see the interim as a caretaker for our district so that our district can move forward but without a whole lot of major changes," board President Ray Dickerson said. "Any major changes should wait until our next superintendent is hired, which I hope will be by the end of the year."

Still some changes will have to happen. Tonight the board is expected to vote on a new top-level administrator -- a chief of operations to replace Cecelia Speer, who is retiring. Speer said she has no set plans for retirement yet, except to spend time with a new grand baby. Later this summer, another cabinet member is set to retire -- chief of schools Robert Ray. Ray was surprised at tonight's school board meeting by Rehoboth Fellowship International as their Man of the Year. (It's also his birthday today.)

--Eva-Marie Ayala

Students' potato harvest will help feed the hungry

 

Fourth-grade students at Fort Worth's Alice Carlson Elementary recently harvested 145 pounds of potatoes and 30 pounds of onions. The harvest helped stock local food pantry shelves, said fourth-grade teacher Debbie Gerwick. The project also allowed students to learn while helping the environment and society. Alice Carlson is one of more than 30 elementary schools in the Fort Worth school district that partner with the  REAL School Gardens program. Through urban gardening, children are exposed to a number of lessons _ from math to writing to social studies. 

Another school garden recently made Extra Credit headlines when a pig tested pototoes growing at George C. Clarke Elementary.

    

The following is a description written by a student:

Potato Project Spring 2011

Reflection written by Mason Moreau

We grew potatoes for the Tarrant County Food Bank to help people get food that don't have any money to buy it themselves. We had to cut and plant seed potatoes and in about 120 days we harvested the potatoes, weighed them, and put them into five pound bags. We took them to the food bank where they had one room for clothing and food in paper bags lined up against the wall of the hallway. That led to the kitchen stocked with food and two refrigerators and then a room with about two boxes filled with old, broken cars. I learned that it really feels good to help somebody out every once in a while, even if you have to go out of your way.

-Diane Smith

Another North Texas superintendent set to leave

Weatherford's Deborah Cron announced last night that she will be retiring in December. District officials said the news was a surprise.

"I love this District, and I so very much enjoy working with the educators and staff members who comprise our team,” Cron wrote in an  e-mail to  staff. “We have made tremendous gains in student success over the past 10 years, and I thank you for the work you do each and every day to ensure our students are learning.”

Cron has been in Weatherford for a decade. Officials credited her with marked improvement on state tests in recent years and the implementation of a improvement model aimed at making businesses more effective and efficient. In April, the district received the Texas Award for Performance Excellence by the Quality Texas Foundation for such improvements.

But like most districts across the state, Weatherford had been struggling with budget challenges this year. Officials sought to implement furloughs or pay cuts should state law change and allow them to do so for school staff. The board recently approved a $60 extracurricular fee to help with associated costs of such activities, such as sports, drill team, cheerleading, band or choir.

Last year, Weatherford was one of the few districts in the state to pass a tax ratification election to help boost maintenance and operating revenue through property taxes. To offset the increased tax, district officials also lowered its debt service tax.

Cron has previously worked in the Garland school district for 29 years, where she is the assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum and instruction.  Her husband Bill Cron is associate dean for Graduate Programs at the Neely School for Business at Texas Christian University.

Last month, the Fort Worth and Dallas superintendents announced their plans to leave. Today is Fort Worth superintendent Melody Johnson's last day at her post.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

 

Prominent superintendent training program scrutinized

Here's a timely article from Education Week that examines the prominent The Broad Foundation's efforts to train future school superintendents. Fort Worth's outgoing superintendent Melody Johnson is an alumni of the Broad urban superintendent academy.

Critics say the program trains potential leaders in corporate-style management that often has them at odds with teachers and cuts parents out of the decision-making process, according to Ed Week. But supporters say the program gives potential school leaders critical training in education issues (such as student intervention programs and school board relations) while providing ongoing mentors to those in the program. 

When Johnson was hired nearly six years ago, trustees said then part of her appeal was that she had been first in her class of at the Broad academy. The school board has yet to outline what characteristics and qualifications it seeks in the next superintendent. However, they voted 8-1 this week to hire a firm to help with a national search. Trustee T.A. Sims was the only nay vote and has said he supports interim superintendent Walter Dansby for the post.

-Eva-Marie Ayala