|
|
|
Karyn Wynne, Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
My Plano roots as a student and teacher run deep. As a third grader at Shepard Elementary in 1976, I had a passion for school and a vision of becoming an educator. My parents played a significant part in helping me fulfill my childhood dream by allowing me to turn our home office into my very own classroom. Countless hours and weekend play were spent teaching, grading papers and re-teaching students in my imaginary classroom. These fond memories and love of learning were integral to my view of education and became the building blocks for my future career.
I believe effective education is not about just one person or one method. Because of the increasing diversity of learners and the rapidly expanding body of knowledge, I am convinced that effective education for all children requires committed and compassionate teachers who foster the highest levels of learning.
'Students crave the same ingredient - love.'
When my teaching career began as an elementary school teacher in 1991, I quickly learned that educators need more than a great lesson to be successful in the classroom. Throughout my various leadership positions at the elementary level, I discovered that no matter what the background, age, or school location, students crave the same ingredient - love. Once teachers embrace students’ hearts and talents, then they may successfully empower students, ignite learning and challenge minds. No other strategy is more effective to me than building relationships.
Three years ago, my teaching career broadened as I felt compelled to move with the Student Success Initiative into middle school. Although I had a strong desire to help middle school students prepare for their futures, I was nervous to step out of my own comfort zone. Teaching teenagers was going to be a whole new adventure! To my surprise, the philosophy that shaped my teaching in elementary school was just as successful in middle school. I continued to hold true to what Kahil Gibran, Lebanese artist and poet stated, “To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but what he aspires to do.”
'Fostering a family atmosphere in my classroom is at the core of my philosophy.'
Today, as Frankford’s AVID Coordinator and Reading teacher, I have the opportunity to work with learners on a variety of levels. These experiences have deepened my desire to help every child reach his or her highest potential. The students I teach are responsive to relationships and look to me as a positive role model. Fostering a family atmosphere in my classroom is at the core of my philosophy. High expectations are set, and individual accomplishments are championed by all.
My students’ chances of success are improved the moment I ask HOW they plan to achieve their goals, not WILL they achieve them. Confidence becomes contagious, and my students believe they will reach their college destination. I see my role as a guide, a motivator, an encourager, a coalition builder, and a partner in their educational journeys. When my students succeed, I succeed. Henry Brooks Adams said it best, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
My journey in Plano ISD as a student and educator has been extremely rewarding. After eighteen years of teaching, my dream is still thriving. More than fulfilling a childhood dream, I have discovered my joy, my passion, my mission.
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees / Education
- 1986 to 1990, University of North Texas; Denton, Texas
Bachelor of Science; Major in Elementary Education with Mathematics Specialization
- 1998 to 1999, Texas Woman’s University; Denton, Texas; Reading Recovery Certification
Teaching Experience
- 2006 to Present - Frankford Middle School, Plano ISD
AVID Coordinator/Reading
- AVID Site Team Leader
- Frankford Leadership Team
- Successfully piloted Literacy Specialist position at secondary level
- AVID Student Mentor Committee leader
- District, staff and parent presenter
- Student Success Initiative Campus Team
- Mentor for teachers and students
- Title One teacher
- District Differentiation Team member and building leader
- SBIC and Faculty Council member
- Frankford Saturday School teacher
- Leader of Title One and AVID family nights
- Secondary Reading and AVID Curriculum writer
- District Reading Specialist for Secondary Summer School
- 1999 to 2006, Christie Elementary, Plano ISD
Literacy Specialist/Reading Support
- Envisioned and successfully piloted the Literacy Specialist position at the elementary level
- Trained District teachers in Plano Accelerated Reading (PAR)
- Curriculum Specialist for PAL and ESL Summer School
- Certified Dyslexia Specialist
- Campus Assessment Team Coordinator
- Promoted the PISD Education Foundation through numerous grant presentations at district fairs, PTA board meetings and community events
- Certified Reading Recovery teacher
- Served on SBIC and Math Vertical Team
- 1991 to 1999, Saigling and Hedgecoxe Elementary, Plano ISD
Classroom Teacher in 1st, 3rd and 4th grades
- Assistant Team Leader
- Served on Math and Technology Vertical Teams
- Presented effective math strategies to classroom teachers
- Acquired Reading Recovery Certification
- District Math Clinic and PAL Summer School teacher
Training
- AVID Summer Institute
- AVID Coordinator Training
- Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist Training
- Leadership Training
- Plano accelerated Reading grades K-8
- Response to Intervention
- Student Success Initiative Training
- Diversity training
- Differentiation instruction Training
Honors
- Frankford Teacher of the Year, 2008
- Spirit of Frankford Award, 2006
- Christie Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2005
- Plano ISD Education Foundation Grant Winner, multiple years.
Affiliations
- Association of Texas Professional Educators
- PTA member at Frankford Middle School
- PTA member at Robinson Middle School
Volunteer
- Grace Community Church
- Promiseland Small Group Shepard.
- Planner of family Sock Hop and Valentine Dinner.
- Girl Scout Troop Leader.
- Haun Elementary
- Literacy Library and PTA.
- Christie Elementary and Frankford Middle School
- Plano ISD Education Foundation and United Way Campaign Leader.
- EXCEL Volleyball Club
- Fundraising Leader and Team Mom
School
Principal Recommendation
It is my honor to write this recommendation letter for Karyn Wynne as Frankford’s representative for Plano ISD Experienced Teacher of the Year. Karyn’s vast experiences in education have molded her into being dynamic in her roles as Literacy Specialist, Reading Teacher, and AVID Coordinator at Frankford.
Karyn joined our staff as a literacy specialist, which was a novel initiative at the middle school level three years ago. With deep compassion and enthusiastic pursuit, Karyn began building positive relationships with students and teachers. She quickly adapted to the middle school child and strived to go beyond the norm to reach each learner under her care.
Students were drawn to her sincere heart and gifted teaching abilities in the classroom; though she serviced a few students through her program, many students sought out her assistance, and she never turned a child away. Her energy and perseverance are awe-inspiring; she never accepts negative results simply because there is no easy solution. With innovation and positivism, she creates unique solutions for stumbling problems and synergizes those around her. She is able to make the lessons relevant and tangible for her students, so they see the value of learning.
Karyn consistently models determination as she challenges herself daily; as the AVID coordinator and reading teacher, she continues to inspire learners to be the best they can be. Students who are unsuccessful in other areas find success in Karyn’s warm classroom under her considerate care.
Karyn’s commitment to leading children in education is as equally as powerful as her desire to grow professionally and personally. Her unwavering dedication to each assignment strengthens the rest of her colleagues, particularly as she serves as the AVID coordinator and master reading teacher. She has led the way in providing engaging professional development to the staff, leading sessions in best instructional practices. She has served on the Differentiation Team for the district and brought back learning to our school.
Her contributions to the district reading and AVID programs are invaluable, as she has added depth and originality to the curriculum. In many ways, she has served as a model for other programs across the district. Karyn is someone that I can rely on with absolute confidence that she will go above and beyond the call of duty. I depend on her judgment and insight in pushing our campus forward in accomplishing our campus goals; her involvement on the campus leadership team is vital to me.
When I have the opportunity to sit in Karyn’s class, I believe I would have loved reading because of her teaching ability! Her sincerity and warm regard for her students draws them into learning. Sitting in her classroom, I feel so proud for our profession that she is in it!
Karyn is truly a gifted educator and rare gem.
While the Frankford staff has already honored Karyn Wynne, we strongly recommend Karyn to represent all excellent teachers in the district as the Plano ISD Teacher of the Year.
Sincerely,
Renee Godi, Principal
Frankford Middle School
|
|
