Faculty/Staff
Awards
Plano ISD faculty and staff members earned many awards during the 2010-11 school year. We salute the following top achievers.
2011 Teachers of the Year
 Christine Nightingale, Beverly Elementary School first grade teacher, and Isabel Pawling, Bowman Middle School math teacher, captured the 2011 Plano ISD Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year titles, respectively, at Plano ISD's annual Teacher of the Year Gala, "Illuminating Learners: The Art of Teaching," held on May 12 at Plano Centre. The event was attended by 1,300 guests. Highlighting the gala evening were recognitions of 70 experienced and 57 beginning Teacher of the Year nominees, who were selected by the peers at their schools, and the surprise announcements of 10 experienced teachers and two first-year teachers who captured "Excellence in Teaching" awards.
2011 Superintendent’s Service Award Winners
 Dr. Doug Otto announced recipients of his Superintendent's Service Award at Plano ISD's 46th Annual Salute to Service Banquet held on April 7, 2011, at Southfork Ranch. These outstanding awardees, along with 50 nominees, were honored for going above and beyond the call of duty in their jobs. Congratulations to the winners In addition to these honorees, 30 retirees were recognized as were hundreds of employees who have served Plano schools for 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.
2011 TI Innovations in STEM Teaching Award Winners
 Karen McNeil, Bowman Middle School science teacher and department chair, and Kathy Fritz, Plano West Senior High School Advanced Placement Statistics teacher, captured the 2011 Texas Instruments Foundation Innovations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Teaching Awards and were recognized at the April 5 meeting of the Plano ISD Board of Trustees. Karen and Kathy were among six Plano ISD teachers honored for superior teaching by the TI Foundation and the Plano ISD Education Foundation.
More Honors & Professional Achievements
Diversity Advocacy Awards
Plano ISD Diversity Advisory Committee Leadership Awards were presented at the annual Martin L. King, Jr., Tribute event to Adrian Rodriquez, Bowman Middle School, and McCall Elementary School Bilingual Leadership Team comprising Monica Maldonado, Ximena Fennell, Dolores Kotara, Irma Cuebas, Marybeth Walworth and Geannina Trujillo.
 Region 10 Principal of the Year
Burton Smith, Shepton High School principal, captured the 2010 Region 10 Principal of the Year award for his compassionate leadership and creating a supportive learning environment.
College Board Trustee
Paul Weaver, Plano ISD director of counseling and guidance, has been elected by member delegates to serve on the board of trustees for the College Board. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education and to connect students to college success and opportunity. The 31-member board of trustees serves as the College Board's governing body.
Principal Featured as National Panelist
Len Stevens, principal at Huffman Elementary School, was a featured guest on the nationally televised program Ideas In Action, hosted by veteran news caster Jim Glasman, executive director of The George W. Bush Institute. He spoke about educational leadership and how it relates to turn-around schools that have experienced challenges.
 Texas Art Education Association Award of Excellence
Alisa Meli, Schell Elementary School art teacher, wrote the 2010 Texas Youth Art Month application, garnering the Texas Art Education Association’s top Award of Excellence in a national contest celebrating how state’s are teaching and encouraging young artists.
Featured Visual Artists
The photo-based work of Plano West Senior High School Art Teacher Ted Kincaid was exhibited in 2010 at the Marty Walker Gallery in Dallas. “Elise,” a print which originated from an oil painting of Plano East Senior High School Art Teacher Lori Whitaker’s daughter, was exhibited during the North Texas Art Educators Invitational at THE ARTS Gallery at Collin College in 2010. Also, the artwork of Libby Cook, Dooley Elementary School art specialist, was displayed in the Fort Worth Gallery of Daimler Financial Services. Her work was also included in a book published by Daimler. "Hilltop with Clouds" and "Tranquility" are the names of her artwork.
National Foreign Languages Supervisors Association President
Greta Lundgaard, Plano ISD foreign language program coordinator, oversees 425 members of the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages as president, a two-year position. Greta oversees 125 teachers who instruct 13,000 students in the languages of Spanish, French, Sign Language, German, Chinese and Latin.
 Band Director Named Among Nation's Top 50
, has been named by "School Band and Orchestra Magazine" as one "50 Directors That Make a Difference." An interview with the award-winning director appears in the magazine's December, 2010, edition.
High School Director's 'Mixed Choir' Invited to Perform at TMEA Conference Sarah Boswell, Shepton High School choir director's students were invited by the Texas Music Educators Association to perform at its annual conference. Sarah's mixed choir "Shepton Chorale" was the only non-varsity high school group selected to perform at the conference.
CREST State Counseling Award Winners
Six elementary schools' counseling programs in Plano ISD have been recognized with state CREST awards (Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas) for improving the lives and achievement of students in academic, career and social domains. Congratulations to:
- Andrews - Toni Strickland and Counselors Marla Nunally & Michelle Klena
- Bethany - Principal Denise Bleggi and Counselor Andi Goldsticker
- Beverly - Principal Liz Kirby and Counselor Michele Austin
- Boggess - Principal Mark Speck and Counselors Pam Bell & Krystal Grundmeier
- Haun - Principal, Jayne Smith and Counselor Marjorie Edge
- Memorial - Principal Sarika Pride and Counselors Jennifer Erp & Cassey Scales
World Geography NOVA Award Winner
Brad Bailey, World Geography teacher at Vines High School, received the NOVA Award at the Texas Council for the Social Studies Conference in Houston on October 16. The NOVA Award recognizes an outstanding new teacher with one to three years experience who contributes to the advancement of social studies education within the school and community.
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