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- Board Recognition Recap: August 2023
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Board Recognition Recap
August 8, 2023
During the regular scheduled meeting, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees invited students and staff to recognize their recent accomplishments at the district and state level.
Staff Appointments
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Dr. Duana Kindle
Dr. Duana Kindle
Dr. Kindle joins Plano ISD from Frisco ISD where she has served the past eight years as Managing Director of Human Resources. Prior to that, she served in Richardson ISD as a Special Education Teacher, Diagnostician, Executive Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Dr. Kindle holds a Bachelor of Special Education from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Special Education and in Educational Administration from Texas A&M Commerce, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from Texas A&M Commerce. We are very excited to have her proven talent and leadership on our team as she makes Plano ISD her home.
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Mark Letterer
Mark Letterer (center left) with his wife Lindsey and their two childrenMr. Mark Letterer joins the SLI team most recently from serving five years as Principal right around the corner at Wilson Middle School. Prior to his principalship, he served as a campus administrator at Schimelpfenig, Murphy, and Haggard Middle Schools. Prior to joining administration, Mr. Letterer was an ESL Teacher and Team Leader at Carpenter MIddle School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from State University College in Buffalo, New York and a Master of Educational Administration from Texas A&M Commerce. He is expected to graduate this fall from A&M Commerce with his Doctorate in Education Administration as well.
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Dr. Joy Lovell
Dr. Joy LovellDr. Lovell most recently served as Principal at Andrews Elementary for 10 years. Prior to that, she was a campus administrator at Jackson Elementary and Frankford Middle School. She has also taught elementary and middle school music, including both choir and band. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master of Music from the University of North Texas, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas.
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Elyse Daly
Elyse Daly with her husband Scott and their sonMrs. Daly will be the new principal at Andrews Elementary. Elyse graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and began her teaching career as a 5th-grade teacher in Plano ISD at Barksdale Elementary. While at Barksdale, Elyse taught in 3rd and 5th grade, as well as served as a team leader. Just like her teaching career, her assistant principal journey began at Barksdale in 2019. Elyse was the assistant principal at Stinson Elementary last year and is now excited to join the Andrews family.
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Noline Martin
Noline Martin with her daughterMrs. Martin will be the new principal at Forman Elementary. Noline is entering her 20th year in the field of education. She has worked in all levels as an ESL teacher, a bilingual teacher, a Spanish teacher, a reading specialist, an instructional coach, and most recently, an assistant principal for the past six years at a turnaround campus in Richardson ISD. Noline’s goal is to continue to support teachers and families, providing them with the tools they need to continue their success and to help our children learn and grow.
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Kimberly Schrader
Kimberly Schrader with her mother Margaret Schrader Duncan and father Prince Albert DuncanMs. Schrader will be the new principal at Bowman Middle School. Kimberly has worked with students for 16 years ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade in a variety of roles. For the past year, she has served as an assistant principal at Shepton High School. Prior to that, she has served as a middle school assistant principal, an ESL Facilitator, a 4th/5th grade Bilingual elementary teacher in Garland and Coppell ISD. She has also trained teachers to teach English overseas in various countries. Kimberly believes wholeheartedly that every student deserves a quality education and this can be accomplished when the school and the families work together for the best interests of our children.
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Dr. Catherine Kelly
Dr. Catherine Kelly with her husband Andrew and mother Victoria GuerraDr. Kelly will be the new principal at Hightower Elementary. Cathy is completing her 23rd year in education and has served as a bilingual teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and most recently, a principal for the past eight years in Richardson ISD. Cathy believes that all students can learn at high levels and it is her goal to see all students succeed and overcome any obstacles that stand in their way.
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Travis Ragsdale
Travis Ragsdale and his wife StaceyMr. Ragsdale will be the new principal at Carpenter Middle School. It has been quite a journey for Mr. Ragsdale where he began working for Plano ISD as a physical education aide right out of high school. Knowing that PISD is where he wanted to be, after completing his Bachelor's degree, he accepted his first teaching position as a health teacher and coach at Murphy Middle School. He served the community of Murphy as an athletic director, coach, and teacher for 12 years and upon completing his Master's Degree in administration and leadership began his administrative career at Renner Middle School. He also served as assistant principal this past year at Shepton High School to learn how he can best prepare students for high school at the middle school level. Mr. Ragsdale knows that Carpenter has built a strong community based on a collaborative culture from all stakeholders and he looks forward to continuing the traditions that are celebrated in the Carpenter community.
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Lasma Jekabsone-Berrouet
Lasma Jekabsone-Berrouet with her husband Richard and her two sonsMrs. Jekabsone-Berrouet will be the new principal at Robinson Middle School. Lasma has been an educator for 14 years and her experience spans from middle to high school in various school districts as a Math teacher and coach, and most recently as an assistant principal at Robinson Middle School. Ms. Berrouet grew up in Latvia, in Northern Europe, and received an athletic scholarship that brought her to the U.S. where she attended Florida International University in Miami, Florida, where she pursued her undergraduate degree. In addition, she earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M University. Ms. Berrouet strongly believes that the school's success depends on maintaining a shared vision for the students that we serve and is committed to focusing on the right work and always doing what is best for our students so that they can grow and maximize their potential.
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Natalie Bauerkemper
Natalie Bauerkemper with her husband DavidMrs. Bauerkemper will be the new principal of Wilson Middle School. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts from the University of North Texas and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. The 2023-2024 school year will mark her 17th year in education. With that, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for helping students thrive. Previously, she has served as an English teacher, AVID Coordinator/teacher, ESL teacher and an assistant principal. Most recently, she served as an assistant principal for six years at Clark High School. Additionally, Mrs. Bauerkemper is a Plano ISD graduate herself.
Recognitions
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To help open the meeting, Board President Nancy Humphrey led the Pledges of Allegiance for the United States and State of Texas.
Plano ISD Board of Trustees leading the Pledges of AllegianceAfter the pledges, Dr. Selenda Freeman invited the President of the Plano ISD Council of PTAs, Ross Cornell, to begin recognitions.
For over 50 years, the National PTA Reflections program has provided millions of students opportunities for recognition in and access to the arts. Each year, PTAs and PTSAs at all levels encourage students of all ages to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice that reflects on the annual theme. These mediums include Dance or Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Submissions are collected and reviewed by PTA volunteers at local campuses and entries are advanced to PTA Councils for judging. A further round of judging occurs and exceptional entries are sent to State PTAs. At the state level, entries are reviewed by arts experts, and students are recognized for their artistic technique and ingenuity in bringing the current theme to life. Entries that earn the highest award at the state level are then advanced to the National PTA for a final round of judging.Nation wide, approximately 300,000 students participate through the PTA or PTSA of their campus.In Plano, almost 250 Reflections entries were submitted to the Plano ISD Council of PTAs for judging, and of those entries, 20 received an Overall Award of Excellence and were advanced to Texas PTA. Ultimately 18 of these 20 entries received awards from Texas PTA. In total, Texas PTA received over 800 entries for state-level judging, but only 37 Reflections entries from our state are advanced to the National PTA for additional consideration.Two of those entries were from Plano ISD PTAs: Jin Lee Hugo from Wyatt Elementary PTA and Anushka Sridhar from Plano East High School PTSA.
Although the competition at the National level is fierce, and not all entries receive awards, Anushka Sridhar, a student at Plano East High School, was honored by the National PTA for her talent and creative interpretation of the theme ‘Show Your Voice!’ in the 2022-2023 Reflections student art program. Anushka’s artwork, titled “Show Your Voice: Unmasked,” has been recognized with an Award of Merit in the Photography category and High School division.
PESH Principal David Jones, Board Vice President Dr. Lauren Tyra, Anushka Sridhar, Plano East PTA President Jeri Duncan, Reflections Chair for Plano East, Plano ISD Council of PTAs President Ross Cornell
The second recognition of the evening was the recognition of Centennial Elementary School's sustained success in raising student achievement as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at work, under the direction of Principal Sarah Stewart. Centennial’s journey has reshaped the work teachers do to drive student success. Collaborative teams understand which processes have the most immediate impact on students’ learning and any needed campus adjustments. Their staff remain committed to reflection, refinement, and improvement of their practices to positively impact all student learning and growth. Centennial teachers deeply understand and own that a PLC is not what they do, but who they are.
Centennial Elementary School Staff with Board Vice President Dr. Lauren Tyra
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Afterward, two Plano ISD departments were recognized for recent achievements. First, the Plano ISD Communications Team received five national awards at the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) conference. This past June, winners of the 2023 NSPRA Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards were announced and the Plano ISD Communications Department walked away with a total of five national awards for the following entries:
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Video Award of Excellence: "Believe That" Video Theme Announcement
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2 Video Awards of Merit: Plano ISD Convocation 2022-2023 and Theresa’s Take on Unity
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2 Social Media Campaign Award of Merit: "Why I Lead Wednesday" and "Mission Mondays"
Additionally, the department was awarded five awards at the state level this past February from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA), including three Gold Star Awards and two Silver Star Awards for various productions.
Plano ISD Communications DepartmentLastly, for the 40th consecutive year, the Plano ISD Finance Department has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This award was established to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure. While Plano ISD has a longstanding history of receiving and maintaining this award, it is not taken for granted.
Deputy Superintendent for Business & Employee Services Johnny Hill, Executive Director of Finance Courtney Reeves , Director of Accounting Angela Marks-Cosby -