Allen ISD Employee Recognitions - February 2023
Each month, Allen ISD recognizes employees who exemplify one of the District's three goals: Culture of Excellence, Future Ready Skills, and Empowered Learning. For the month of February, the focus is on Culture of Excellence.
Facilities and Maintenance Staff Going Above and Beyond
Allen ISD recently honored members of the Facilities and Maintenance Department for their excellence! Steve Hanner is being recognized for his leadership and support during a department transition. Cameran Gaskins and Randy Toler were also recognized for going above and beyond their duties preparing buildings for the upcoming school year.
District Behavior Support Team Fills the Gaps Where Needed
The Allen ISD Behavior Support team has devoted a significant amount of time and effort in supporting the move of a SLC program to a new campus. The team has modeled quality teaching practices and behavioral strategies for a new teacher while serving as the classroom teacher for a position that has not been filled.
The Behavior Support team is made up of Katie Simmons, Larry Parker, Jonathan Martinez, Melinda Ewing, Julie Young, and Tammy Beaks.
“Despite the incredible challenge, they continue to have a smile on their face and are always willing to go the extra mile to do what is best for kids,” said Theresa Taylor, Director of Special Services. “Our students' success is a direct result of their hard work and dedication.”
District Instructional Coaches are Building Capacity in Teachers
Building capacity in teachers is the primary goal so that all students are able to engage in relevant, challenging and empowering learning experiences. The Instructional Coaches have high expectations for their personal growth as well as the growth of their teachers.
“The Allen ISD Instructional Coaches are a phenomenal group of educators,” said Elizabeth Schultz, Coordinator of English Language Arts, Secondary. “They individually and collectively work to build capacity in the teachers that they serve.”
The instructional coaches are Mandy Baker, Angela Barnes, Hadeel Barries, Kristi Berry, Kelli Brasher, Katrina Byrd, Laura Duarte, Erica Harvey, Natalie Hebert, Amanda Hunter, Elizabeth Jones, Kim Kane, Karen Lucas, Danny Malooly, Jenna McGrath, Laura Lee McQueeney, Laurie Merrick, Kerri Mistretta, Lynn Moretti, Kela Morgan, Mary Morgan, Molly Parish, Sabrina Passanante, Amanda Perkins, Cathy Perrault, Amber Preston, Kandice Ramos, Malini Rao, Blaine Robertson, Jose Salas, Jennifer Sewell, Halle Smith, Michelle Stevens, and Tracy Turner
Campus Tech at Norton Elementary Makes Technology Run Smoothly so Learning is Never Interrupted
Josh Gallo is the campus tech at Norton Elementary and his goal is for students and teachers to have what they need in order for learning to occur and he works tirelessly to make sure that happens.
“He solves problems quickly and efficiently; he even preemptively identifies potential problems and creates solutions so that our school is always running smoothly,” said Amiee Cherry, Principal of Norton Elementary. “He cares deeply that our students and staff are well-equipped and well-trained to step into the future with all aspects of technology.”
Chandler Elementary SSI Teacher Leads Through Campus Transition
Jenny Capehart is the SSI teacher at Chandler Elementary who leads her team and embodies Allen ISD’s Culture of Excellence.
New this year to Chandler, they transitioned classroom teachers along with Jenny to provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention during their Cheetah Challenge time, allowing the SSI paraprofessionals the opportunity to now intervene with Tier 1 students.
“Jenny has done an outstanding job at supporting the facilitation of this transition with our teachers and paraprofessionals,” said Bobbie Allen, Principal at Chandler Elementary. “We are so thankful for all she does to truly live our Culture of Excellence district goal.”
Lowery Freshman Center Human Geography AP Team Drawing New and Improved Maps to Engage Students
The Human Geography (HGAP) Team presented a session at the district's Professional Learning Day in October 2022. They presented ideas and strategies for having students use and create maps that involve more application, analysis, and critical thinking than simply copying or recreating existing maps.
“They did such a fantastic job,” said Michelle Ramirez, House Principal at Allen High School.
“They have been asked to share their presentation with all district Instructional Coaches to take some of these ideas and strategies back to their campuses.”
The HGAP Team includes Jon King, Zachery Silvers, and Jason Vaccarezza.
Cheatham Elementary Power-Up Team Plans Engaging Activities
The Power Up Leadership team meets monthly to plan engaging activities for all students and staff to participate in team building, leadership, service projects, and kindness to others. These leaders also meet monthly with all the sixth grade students to teach them the activity, in advance, so they can help lead them when the whole school and staff participate in each event.
Examples of things that have been planned are a schoolwide pep rally assembly, painting rocks and putting them in a rock garden outside, playing team-building games, reading a book about kindness and having a discussion about it, assembling meals to provide to families in need, etc.
The Power Up Leadership Team includes Amanda Perkins, Stephanie Logan, Aimee Hilton, and Mary Jane Barnes.
Click here to watch a video of the Power Up Leadership Team at Cheatham Elementary.
Student Nutrition District Chef, Anna Reynolds, Brings New Excitement to Student Nutrition
Anna Reynolds, Allen ISD District Chef, has recently brought new excitement to Student Nutrition’s marketing with her fun social media posts and promotional menu items at campuses.
She has worked with staff to transform several recipes into overall better products and has come up with fun events at the campuses to really involve students in their lunch program.
“We have had several managers comment that many students have stated some of our recent holiday menus were the "best lunch" or "best breakfast" they have ever had at school,” said Kirsten Reeitzammer, Director of Student Nutrition. “We are so thankful for Anna's contributions to our department and helping us make both recipes and lunch ‘fun’ for our students and staff.”
Click here to watch a video of Anna Reynolds, Allen ISD District Chef.
