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[Social Studies In The News] [Staff Directory] [T.E.A. Update]

IN THE NEWS

District-Wide
Staff Development
August 18, 2010
at McCallum HS

Download Program

General Session PowerPoint

Great seeing everyone! Our thanks to all who participated!

Elizabeth Hudson
Honored by State Council

Congratulations Beth Hudson,
O. Henry Middle School 7th & 8th Grade teacher

The Texas Council for the Social Studies'
2010 Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year!

Each year the Texas Council for the Social Studies selects from an accomplished group of candidates submitted by local councils a middle school teacher to be honored based on the following criteria:

• outstanding teaching
• contribution to the advancement of social studies education within the school and community
• and active participation in local, state, and national social studies councils

Beth will be honored in a ceremony at the TCSS Conference in Houston on October 16, 2010. We're so very proud of you, Beth!

Sally Hunter Wins National Award

Highland Park Elementary School teacher Sally Hunter, has been chosen as the 2010 Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the National Council for the Social Studies. 

In 2009, Hunter was named the 2009 Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Texas Council for the Social Studies and was the recipient of the 2009 Preserve America Elementary History Teacher of the Year Award for the state of Texas sponsored by the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History.

T.E.A.
NEWS

The State Board of Education approved the Social Studies TEKS for final adoption on May 21, 2010.

Next Steps:
- Professional development on the new standards, Spring - Summer 2011

- Implementation of new TEKS, 2011-2012 school year
________

VIEW:
2009-10 Assessment Results

Information on
End-of-Course Assessments

2010-11 Assessment Calendar

Hunter will receive the award and check for $2,500 on November 12, 2010 at the 90th annual NCSS Conference in Denver, Colorado where exceptional elementary, middle and high school teachers are recognized.

Supervisor Joe Ramirez Honored
at State Bar of Texas Conference

Austin ISD Administrative Supervisor for Social Studies Joe Ramirez received the 2010 Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence in Law-Focused Education on June 10, 2010 during an awards luncheon at the Annual Meeting of the State Bar of Texas in Fort Worth. In the photo at left Ramirez is shown receiving his award from State Bar President Roland Johnson.

The award is given annually by the State Bar of Texas' Law-Focused Education division to recognize those educators in the state of Texas who have made an outstanding contribution to law focused education and whose programs:

- foster understanding of the values of our legal and judicial systems;
- inform and educate students as to the roles in society of the law, the courts, the law enforcement agencies, and the legal profession;
- stimulate a deeper sense of individual responsibility, instructing students to recognize their duties, as well as their rights;
- encourage effective law focused education programs in their schools or communities;
and
- increase communication and understanding between students, educators, and those involved professionally in the legal system.

Two Austin Students Win Top Awards at 2010 National History Day


Two Austin School District students won top honors at the 31st Annual National History Day, a five-day history event for students in grades six through 12. By winning first or second place at the CenTex Regional contest sponsored by the LBJ Presidential Library, and at the state level competition, these students advanced to the national level where they won top honors during the National History Day contest held from June 13-17.

The Austin students, teachers, and schools with top honors are: student Jonathan Box (in photo, left), taught by teacher Cherry Whipple at Austin High School, and Winston Collins (in photo, right), taught by teachers Casi Cook, Elizabeth Hudson and Duane Devereaux of O. Henry Middle School. Jonathan won in the Senior Individual Performance category for a presentation on Antitrust: Coping With the Dark Side of Business Innovation. Winston won in the Junior Historical Paper division for a paper on The Amazing Innovation of President Theodore Roosevelt: 'Green' Before It Was Keen.

"We are so proud of the 67 students who represented Texas. All had very strong showings and the fact that 45 percent of their entries ranked 14th in the nation or better is an amazing achievement," said Stephen Cure, Director of Educational Services for the Texas State Historical Association, a sponsor of Texas History Day. "Forty-five thousand students across Texas competed at the local level in 2010 to win the opportunity to represent Texas in this contest, which sees nearly 2,700 hundred students from 50 states, two territories, the District of Columbia, and several other affiliates in foreign countries compete to see who has the best history research and presentation skills. These students triumphed over tremendous competition."

The Texas State Historical Association sponsors the National History Day program in Texas in cooperation with the University of North Texas. Founded in 1897, the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) fosters the appreciation, understanding and teaching of the rich and unique history of Texas. TSHA pursues the "actual doing of history," from research, writing and publications to educational programs designed to support teaching Texas history in the public school system. For more information about Texas History Day or the Texas State Historical Association, please visit www.TSHAonline.org

In announcing this year's recipient of the award, Lisa Richardson, President of the Law Related Education agency of the State Bar (click image to visit LRE's newly designed website), described to the crowd Ramirez's dedication to ensuring that students at all levels, K - 12, received not only meaningful, but memorable education about our nation's history, the principles upon which our government is founded, and the importance of civic participation.  In particular, she cited Ramirez's work orchestrating the public exhibition of the Declaration of Independence broadside at Anderson High School - an event made possible for the students and entire community of Austin because of the award-winning mock election and civic education program Ramirez directed in 2008.

We're all very proud of you Joe, congratulations!

Colleagues Receive 2009-10 End-of-Year Accolades

Each year we are thrilled to recognize Social Studies teachers throughout Austin ISD who have received honors on their local campuses. This list will continue to grow from now through May, so stay tuned!

Congratulations AUSTIN ISD  Middle School Teacher of the Year!

Jill DiCuffa: Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

Jill DiCuffa was born and raised in Austin, TX where she attended Zavala Elementary, O. Henry Jr. High, and Austin High School. (Joe Ramirez was actually her history teacher when she was in 8th grade!!) Jill graduated with a B.A. in History from Texas A&M University in 1993, then did post-graduate work at Southwest Texas State, in order to complete her educator's certification in 1994.

"I have been a middle school teacher for 14 years. To begin my career, I taught 7th grade English and Texas History for five years at Cedar Park Middle School. I then moved to Houston and taught English and World History for one year at the Westchester Academy for International Studies. For the next five years I lived in San Francisco, CA, and taught 8th grade U.S. History at Burlingame Intermediate School. I finally landed at the Ann Richards School when we opened three years ago. I originally taught 6th Grade World Cultures and 7th Grade Texas History, for the past two years I have taught 8th Grade U.S. History, Dance, and Youth Speaks (Speech/Debate). I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

My Extra-Curricular interests, sponsorships, and duties at ARS have included starting our Student Council Program, 8th grade trips to Washington, D.C., Youth and Government Club, Summer Camp teacher, Social Studies TAKS tutorial coordinator/TAKS Olympics, 8th Grade Cotillion Sponsor, Field Trip coordinator for various trips, Campus Advisory Council (CAC) Co-Chair, Social Studies Department Chair, MLEP (Middle Level Education Plan) Teacher Leader, Girls’ Now! Committee member, Mentor Teacher, and Ann Richards Birthday Bash Committee teacher representative. I am also the score-keeper at all home volleyball and basket ball games. I love my job!!"

 

Theresa Conrad - Kealing MS Teacher of the Year
Although she feels like a native Texan, Ms. Theresa Conrad was actually born in Illinois. Since then she has lived in four other states: Georgia, New York, California, and finally arriving in Texas in 1994. Graduating from Texas State University, she received her degrees in History and Psychology, as well as her teaching certification. This is her fourth year teaching, and has been at Kealing Middle School all four years.

Theresa states she became a teacher because she wanted to have the opportunity to help kids feel special and good about their self, while creating a classroom environment which allows her students to feel comfortable and welcome. She didn't always know that she wanted to be a teacher, but she did always know that she wanted a career that would allow her to help others, allow her to be a lifelong learner, and where she could still have fun. Her favorite thing about her job is getting to know her students and watching them grow and make progress through the year(s). Her hobbies include yoga, cooking, travelling, playing on her Wii, hanging out with family and friends, and reading.

Candace Hunter - Webb MS Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Candace Hunter was born in Austin in 1971, she grew up right here in the St. Johns neighborhood. She attended T.A. Brown, Robert E. Lee, and Pease elementary schools. O. Henry, Dobie, and Lamar middle schools and Lanier High School. She finished High School in the Round Rock ISD at Westwood High School. After high school Mrs. Hunter attended Abilene Christian University, where she majored in Political Science (Pre-law), in her junior year she switched her major to Education. Mrs. Hunter was also a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.

Candace has been married for 15 years and has two children John-Mark and Hezekiah. When asked why she works at Webb, she says: "I work here to give back just a little of what was given to me."

Andrea Ramos - Burnet MS Teacher of the Year
Andrea Ramos' teaching experience includes one year in Texas History 7th grade, and three years in World Cultures 6th grade. She has also worked with Cheerleading and Pep Squad students at Burnet Middle School for three years.

Andrea is a proud Austin resident, a native Texan, and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University with a degree in International Studies and Spanish minor. She enjoys teaching because "it is a way to truly be involved in my community while helping students gain knowledge of the world and our history."

 

Greg Izor - Akins HS Teacher of the Year

Greg Izor teaches 9th Grade Geography at Akins High School. He started his teaching career with the New Orleans Public Schools in 2003. After the lay-offs that followed Hurricane Katrina, Greg came to Austin in 2006, substituting around the district, until starting with Akins in January of 2007.

"I love teaching at Akins. The culture here is very student-focused, and the kids are great. I really enjoy teaching 9th graders, and the challenges that come with them." Greg serves as an Adivsory co-chair at Akins, writing and implementing Advisory curriculum, and is lead teacher for World Geography at Akins. Greg also is a full time musician, performing around Austin with his band, the Box Kickers.

 

AISD Teacher of Promise Awards

It was during the 2002-03 academic year that the Office of Professional Development first initiated the Teachers of Promise recognition program for novice teachers. The department sought novice teachers who were demonstrating "promising practice" in their classrooms. We're delighted to recognize the following Social Studies teachers who are winners of the 2009-10 TOP Award:

Brooke Bingham
- International HS Teacher of Promise

Social Studies Education Partner Legacy of Giving featured in YouTube video

Austin ISD students and staff on campuses partnered with the local agency A Legacy of Giving are featured in a newly available YouTube video. Philanthropy, a concept found in the Social Studies standards, is the educational focus of this partner. "The mission of A Legacy of Giving is to empower children through philanthropy education and youth philanthropy programs to become more engaged in improving their communities and world."

- For more information on A Legacy of Giving  in Austin ISD, including its partner campuses, click here.
- To view the YouTube video, click here.
- For more information, as well as lessons and resources, provided by the national youth service organization with which A Legacy of Giving is affiliated, The League, click here.Brooke Bingham is originally from the Houston area. She attended her first two years of college in Carbondale, Colorado; she then graduated from Texas State University with a B.A in Anthropology and Media Studies. With this degree Brooke spent time doing both cultural and archeological research in Central America. Here she discovered her passion for history, culture, and the landscapes of the world. These interests soon formed into a desire to teach and pass this passion to students in an educational setting.

"As a first year teacher, I am learning so much from my colleagues and of course the students! Being part of the Social Studies team at The International High School has been truly been amazing. I have always had a strong interest in cultural diversity and working with this group of students has brought true fulfillment to my life! This experience has been wonderful and I look forward to many more years of enjoying such an enriching career."

Brooke's hobbies include spending time with family and friends, traveling, boating, learning Spanish, and being outdoors.

Joachim Hillman - Austin HS Teacher of Promise

Born and raised in El Paso Texas, Joachim Hillman tells us he is the first member of his family to graduate from college - graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor's degree in History. "Both my parents were born and raised in different countries. My mom from Mexico and my Dad from Germany!"

Joachim is in his first year of teaching at Austin High and, having always been involved in athletics himself, is enjoying the opportunity to currently coach football and track.

Herschel Johnson - Covington MS Teacher of Promise

An Austin native, Herschel Johnson went to Anderson High School and received his Bachelors of Arts in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Arlington. He completed his Certification here in Austin at Huston- Tillotson University.

Herschel is currently teaching U.S. History at Covington Middle School and busy getting his students ready for TAKS!

Emily Morehead - Crockett HS Teacher of Promise

Emily Morehead is a 2008 graduate of St. Edward's University. Since her student-teaching internship she has been working at Crockett High School in several different positions. Working with students, parents and staff in academic, administrative and even clerical contexts she has been able to build strong relationships with the Crockett community as well as strong Cougar pride.

Currently Emily teaches sheltered World and U.S. History, and she plans to continue teaching students who are English Language Learners for as long as possible. Emily lives in South Austin with her husband and daughter.

Eric Sosa - Martin MS Teacher of Promise

Eric Sosa was born and raised in Austin and is a proud graduate of Travis HS. He attended St. Edward's University and, after graduating in 2004 with a degree in psychology, and "trying to figure out what the next step for me would be", took on a job as a T.A and immediately fell in love with teaching.

While working as an Inclusion Teacher at Martin he decided to go back to school and received his teaching certification at St. Edward's University.  He adds, "It was at Martin that I learned what type of teacher I wanted to be while working with such strong mentors as Joe Moore and Storm Vance!"

Cindy Stewart - Kealing MS Teacher of Promise

Cindy Stewart is finishing her first year as an English and Texas History teacher at the magnet program at Kealing Middle School. After sixteen years as a lawyer in private practice in Austin, Cindy returned to the University of Texas at Austin's UTeach Liberal Arts program, and obtained her high school and middle school certifications.

Cindy says she is excited to be teaching a law elective next year that combines her old and new professions. Cindy's daughters have grown up in Austin ISD, are graduates of the Kealing program in which Cindy now teaches, and are currently at LASA High School.

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