2014 Plano ISD Teachers of the Year
District and School Honors & Advocacy
Plano ISD’s 2014 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, Whitney Pitzer of Stinson Elementary School and
Bowman and Murphy Middle Schools Named ‘Texas Schools to Watch’
Karen Stanton of Clark High School, respectively, were announced by Superintendent of Schools Richard Matkin
at Plano ISD’s Teacher of the Year Gala in May, 2014 at Plano Centre. In addition to Whitney and Karen, eight
educators were named “Excellence in Teaching Award” winners, and all 72 nominees were recognized at the event,
which was attended by 1,300 educators, PTA and community leaders and gala sponsors.
Whitney Pitzer, Elementary Teacher of the Year
“Let’s figure - it - out!” …You might hear this mantra cheered out as you
turn the corner into Whitney Pitzer’s kindergarten classroom. “From the
first day of school, my students quickly learn that problem-solving skills
are recognized and valued in our class,” said Whitney, Plano ISD 2014
Elementary Teacher of the Year. “I empower every student to put on an
(invisible) cape and be ‘Super Problem Solvers.’” These heroes “figure
it out” when faced with any obstacle, large or small, says their teacher.
Through frequent discussions and “think-alouds,” Whitney’s students
practice identifying appropriate strategies for simple or complex
problems. As the year goes on, students might even be awarded the
coveted “Super Problem Solver Badge” for solving problems on their
own. “Learning to take risks and think analytically helps students
to feel equipped to handle life’s challenges with confidence and
perseverance,” said Whitney. “In an increasingly innovative and
STEM-driven society, I believe that even the youngest students can
reap long-term benefits from establishing a ‘Super Problem Solver’
mindset.”
Karen Stanton, Secondary Teacher of the Year
“I talk with my students about the 10,000 hours required to
create experts in any field. There is no shortcut to knowledge,
and I show my students that I still struggle to find the right words
in my writing when I write in front of them – and that I struggle
to be the right person when I tell them that I make mistakes
every day,” said Karen Stanton, Plano ISD 2014 Secondary
Teacher of the Year. “My students know that I will ask them to
re-do assignments until they demonstrate understanding, and I
will sit beside them and explain it as many times as it takes.”
Karen said, “Most young people are willing to work hard when
they see me working just as hard. It is essential that they see
me as a lifelong learner and a work in progress.” She says
that the rewards of teaching are innumerable. “I am rewarded
when my grown-up students return to tell me about their lives
and ask me for advice. And while all of these tangible rewards
are gratifying, the personal challenge of creating, improvising,
learning and trying to connect on a daily basis is what makes
me a better, more authentic person.”
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Bowman and Murphy middle schools were among the campuses celebrated at the 2014
Schools to Watch national recognition program held in Washington, D.C. Attending
the celebration were faculty and staff from
Bowman and Murphy, who were named
in January among an elite group of eight
middle schools as “Texas Schools to Watch”
through an initiative of the National Forum
to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.
Both campuses were showcased at state
and national conventions this year for
their academic excellence, developmental
responsiveness and social equity.
Murphy Middle School Principal
Brant Perry with Laura Mullen, English
department head and Sylvia Lansing,
counseling department head.
Bowman Middle School staff (front) Gloria Martinez,
former principal (now Williams High School principal),
and Adrian Rodriguez, behavior specialist; (back)
Becky Jackson, eighth grade math team leader;
Julianne Aguilar, assistant principal; and
Crystal Roach, reading specialist.
Schools Win City of Plano Environmental Awards
Six Plano ISD schools captured 2014 Environmental
Community Awards from the city of Plano and were
recognized at a luncheon held in honor of nominees
and winners. The awards recognize outstanding
environmental initiatives and achievements by schools,
organizations, businesses and individuals. Wilson
Middle School’s Edible Education Garden was awarded
the Environmental Star of Excellence Community Award
for an Educational Institution. Plano East student Aayush
Goyal was recognized with the Environmental Star of
Excellence Community Award in the Individual Youth
category. Beverly Elementary, Boggess Elementary,
Murphy Middle School and Clark High School all won
Environmental School Awards.
Pictured at the City of Plano environmental awards luncheon are Nancy Humphrey, school
board president; Wilson Middle School’s Selenda Sager, principal, and Sharon Russell,
life skills teacher; and Richard Matkin, superintendent of schools.
Three Plano ISD Initiatives Added to TASB’s State Legislative Advocacy Platform
In preparation for the 2015 legislative session, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees formed a legislative sub-committee to develop
several priorities. Three of the committee’s initiatives were added to the Texas Association of School Boards’ legislative advocacy
platform to be considered at the state level. The 84th Texas Legislature will convene on January 13, 2015, in Austin.
Plano ISD Legislative Priorities
•Opposition of vouchers
•Instructional calendar
•Early childhood and pre-kindergarten education
•Terminating Chapter 21 contracts in the event that
an employee is convicted of a felony
•Funding Issues
o Including off-campus instruction in the calculation of weighted
average daily attendance
o Update the cost of education index
o Adjust the equalized wealth level for enrichment taxes above
the first 6 cents of enrichment tax effort
o Increase level 2 enrichment (golden pennies) from 6 pennies
to 8 pennies
o Continue state funding for state mandated increase in district’s
contributions to Teacher Retirement System
o Middle and high school counselor funding allotment to address
the need for increased counseling services from HB5
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Legislative Advocacy Time Line
In December, 2014, trustees held a legislative
breakfast to share their priorities with legislators.
During a January, 2015, midwinter conference
of the school board and cabinet, district leaders
met to fine tune Plano ISD’s legislative priorities.
In March, 2015, staff and school board members
will participate in Collin County Days and Plano
Legislative Days in Austin at the state capitol
building when they will meet with legislators to
discuss Plano ISD’s legislative priorities. Stay tuned
to this topic through the district website: www.
pisd.edu/news/advocacy.
Faculty & Staff Achievements
More Faculty and Staff Honors & Leadership
Plano ISD employees captured numerous awards and honors and served in leadership positions within their
professional organizations during the 2013-14 school year. Some of their accomplishments are featured.
Superintendent’s Service Award
Winners Honored at Annual
Employee Banquet
Superintendent of Schools Richard Matkin, Superintendent’s Service Award winners Carmen Wilson,
Alicia Kamien, Amy Tang and (Jose Alvarez, accepting on behalf of colleague/winner Andres Garcia)
and School Board President Nancy Humphrey at the April 10 employee service awards banquet.
Winners of the 2014 Superintendent’s
Service Award were announced at the
49th Annual Plano ISD Service and
Retirement Banquet held at Southfork
Ranch. These outstanding employees
were selected from among 42 fellow
nominees for the award, which is
designed to honor support staff
members who go above and beyond
the call of duty as they perform their
job responsibilities. Also honored at the
banquet were 50 retiring employees
and hundreds of employees who earned
service pins for 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35
years of service to Plano schools.
Plano ISD Diversity Leadership Award Winners
CREST State Counseling Award Winners
Nominees and winners of Plano ISD Diversity Leadership
Awards were recognized at Plano ISD’s 2014 MLK Tribute
event. Winners were announced by Ali Gowani, chair
of Plano ISD’s Diversity Advisory Committee, and Autry
Daniel, Plano ISD human resources department. The award
recognizes groups and individuals whose actions honor the
work and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Employees
who captured community impact awards were Plano Senior
High School Choral Director Derrick Brookins and Plano ISD
Student and Family Services Department Coordinator James
Thomas, III.
Four schools earned 2014 CREST (Counselors Reinforcing
Excellence for Students in Texas) awards from the Texas
School Counseling Association. Congratulations to:
•Beaty Early Childhood School - Jan Hughes, counselor
•Haun Elementary School - Marjorie Edge, counselor
•Hightower Elementary School - Aubrey Nell, counselor
•Hendrick Middle School - Sally Villani, Victoria Hines and Denise Menard, counselors
CREST counseling award winners Victoria Hines, Aubrey Nell, Denise Menard, Marjorie Edge, Jan Hughes and Sally Villani
•Dr. Lisa Thibodeaux,
executive director for
secondary academic services, captured the Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading’s 2014 Jean Greenlaw Literacy Award for her long-time contributions to literacy in Texas and beyond.
•Science teachers Dusty
Vincer, Plano East Senior
High School, and Deanna Dr. Lisa Thibodeaux
Shea, Shepton High School, were named Tech Titans of the Future High School Level Finalists by the Metroplex Technology Business Council.
•Ben Porter, Beverly Elementary School music specialist, received the 2014 Teacher of the Year Award presented by the North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs.
•Bill Couzynse, Plano ISD facilities services manager, achieved the status of Texas School Business Official through the Texas Association of School Business Officials.
•Lynda Shuttlesworth (retired), student and family services department executive coordinator, served as past-president of the Texas School Counselors Association.
•DeLynn Brennan, Barksdale Elementary School counselor, served as human rights chair for the Texas School Counselors Association.
•Jana Hancock, Plano East Senior High School guidance director, held the position of treasurer for the Texas Association of College Admission Counselors.
•Bruce Richardson, Plano Senior High School guidance director, served as guidance and admission assembly representative for the College Board Southwestern Region.
•Teachers assisting the College Board included Douglas Darracott, Plano West: art test development committee, and Dr. Terry Eder, Plano, and Brandon Pedigo, Plano East: music theory exam readers.
•Gloria Martinez, Principal at Williams High School and formerly at Bowman Middle School, was honored by Collin County LULAC as the 2014 Educator of the Year at the annual Hispanic Awards Banquet.
•Guinn Special Programs Center Principal Sharon Bradley was honored by the Plano Community Forum as its 2014 Educator of the Year.
•Four Plano ISD computer science teachers were honored by the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) with Inspiration Awards based on nominations by university students. The senior high school honorees include Tracy Ishman and Robin Bailey, Plano West; Ann Horton, Plano East; and Cynthia Gallatin, Plano.
•Art teachers captured these awards: Tamra Alami, Haun Elementary School: Texas Art Education Association Teacher of the Year; Doug Daracott, Plano West Senior High School: Texas Art Education Association National Honor Society Sponsor of the Year; Plano Art Leaders: Texas Art Education Association Award of Excellence.
•Dr. Mary Long, McMillen High School teacher-librarian, is serving a two-year term on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Library Community Engagement Advisory Committee, which helps the State Library identify and address community engagement issues facing libraries in Texas.
•Suzanne Drotman, human resources services director, serves as president of the North Central Texas School Personnel Association.
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Señora Amy Lenord, Shepton High School teacher, won the
Texas Spanish Teacher of the Year Award sponsored by the
Texas Foreign Language Association.
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