Shepard Elementary School 2026

Tracy Howe

Shepard Elementary School - 4th Grade Language Arts Teacher
E-mail congrats

Teaching Philosophy

With over a decade of experience as an elementary school teacher, I have taught nearly every grade from kindergarten through sixth grade. This range of experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of elementary education, as well as the diverse academic, social, and behavioral needs of students. Throughout my career, I have consistently gone above and beyond for my school community, colleagues, and students. My teammates describe me as hardworking, kind, and deeply committed to both students and staff. I strive to approach each day with a positive mindset, believing that encouragement and optimism help foster a supportive learning environment for everyone in the building.

I take great pride in caring for my students and supporting their overall well-being. In addition to my work in the classroom, I serve as a strong leader and mentor to both new and experienced teachers at Shepard. I am eager to share the knowledge I have gained throughout my career and am always willing to lend support when needed. I believe that clear and consistent communication with colleagues, parents, and students is essential to building successful academic relationships. Supporting my fourth-grade team with enthusiasm and a "can-do" attitude helps build trust and reflects my strong commitment to leadership and collaboration.

Student engagement and instructional adaptability are among my greatest strengths as an educator. My classroom management philosophy is grounded in structure, consistency, and accessibility. I believe students thrive when expectations are clear, so I maintain an organized classroom with clearly labeled materials that students can easily access. My teaching approach is rooted in data-driven instruction and student-centered learning, allowing me to adapt lessons to meet individual needs while maintaining high academic expectations.

I intentionally foster a classroom culture that encourages participation and risk-taking. Students earn reward points for engagement, even when answers are incorrect, which helps create a safe environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thinking. I also showcase student work on a bulletin board titled "You've Got the Write Stuff!" to promote ownership and pride in their learning. Students frequently describe my classroom as clean, comfortable, and welcoming. My goal is for every student to feel safe, calm, and ready to learn as soon as they enter the room.

After completing the Reading Academy, I gained a deeper understanding of the critical role phonics and phonemic awareness play in early literacy development. This experience led to opportunities to help write elementary Social Studies and Science curriculum for Plano ISD during the summers of 2023 and 2025. These professional experiences inspired my current pursuit of a Master's degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction, emphasizing literacy studies and reading specialist certification.

By continually reflecting on and refining my teaching practices, I strive to create a classroom that is both academically rigorous and engaging. My strengths in student engagement, leadership, and instructional adaptability provide a strong foundation, and I remain committed to ongoing professional growth that positively impacts student learning outcomes.

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Principal's Recommendation

Dear Plano ISD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

I am proud to recommend Ms. Tracy Howe for the Plano ISD Teacher of the Year award. As the principal of Shepard Elementary, I have the privilege of working alongside Tracy and consistently see the positive impact she has on students, staff, and our broader school community.

Tracy is an exceptional educator who connects with students with ease and earns their trust quickly. Her classroom is a welcoming, structured environment where students feel safe taking academic risks and are motivated to do their best. She thoughtfully individualizes motivation for students, such as allowing one student who finds holiday music calming to listen as an incentive, and she encourages growth through goals such as MAP progress and attendance. Her approach keeps students engaged and invested in their success.

Her impact is also clearly felt by her colleagues. One staff member shared, "Tracy brings an infectious energy to her classroom each day, making learning not only engaging but truly memorable for her students." Another noted, "She has a natural gift for making learning fun and meaningful. Her students feel excited, supported, and confident, and they carry those experiences with them long after leaving her classroom." These sentiments are consistently echoed across our campus.

Tracy's relationships with families are a tremendous asset to Shepard. She is often the first to communicate when a family is facing a difficult situation and works proactively to ensure students feel supported. When a student experienced the loss of a close family member, Tracy coordinated care and support for both the student and the family with compassion and professionalism.

As both a team leader and mentor teacher, Tracy models and expects excellence. She ensures our campus vision is carried out, keeps her team organized and focused, and supports others in meeting high expectations. She has played a key role in our mentor teacher program, offering guidance, opening her classroom for observation, and providing steady encouragement.

Tracy's impact extends beyond Shepard Elementary. She contributes as a district curriculum writer and is quick to embrace and model new initiatives, including piloting our first BenQ board and fully engaging in new personalized technology pathways.

When people think of Tracy, the word most often used is positive. She works incredibly hard, remains resilient, and never gives up on students or colleagues. These qualities, combined with her instructional expertise and leadership, make her exactly the kind of educator our profession needs.

Tracy Howe represents the very best of Shepard Elementary and Plano ISD. I wholeheartedly recommend her for Plano ISD Teacher of the Year.

Sincerely,

Christy James
Principal
Shepard Elementary School