Please vote for CE Teacher of the Year 2023: https://forms.gle/yf6chPCShyZJmtrr6

Voting ends Friday 4/7/2023 at 8:00AM

Here are the candidates:

Ms. Rangel:

I was asked to share my why…I have never really thought of it; it’s hard sometimes to think about the reasons why you teach. When I was a kid I went to a school similar to Carrollton Elementary. These kids remind me of when I was their age which is why I am so passionate about teaching them and I love advocating for these children. I try to do what I wish my teachers had done for me when I was younger. I do what we all do, make lessons exciting and engaging, we try hard to differentiate instruction (something I know I need to work on.) I like to get to know my students and understand their needs academically, socially, and emotionally. By getting to know them I gain understanding on how they learn and I try to incorporate that in my teaching. Something I wish my teachers did when I was younger. I love seeing them learn and grow as a part of our classroom family. Not only do I try to build a relationship with my students but I also connect with their parents. I call them, give them weekly updates on how their children are progressing or not. I work to build trust with each family and I want families to know that we are here to help in any way we can. I can’t do what I do without parent support and that is something that I strive to accomplish every school year. They are not just another student, they are a part of my classroom family. I am also passionate about learning and collaborating. I love learning from others, workshops, books, articles, and also try to collaborate with others. One other thing I am passionate about is building memories. As a child the one thing I remember from school were the turkey races we had. It was so much fun! This is the reason why I love planning the egg hunt. Most children do not have these types of opportunities and this will probably be some kids only time they get to do that. I'm excited to help them create a memory that they can look back on.

Mrs. Govea:

I've been teaching for almost a decade, but I still consider myself fairly new to the profession. When it comes to the profession of teaching, there is ALWAYS something new to learn or someone new to learn from. However, one thing is clear and that is that I enjoy teaching and inspiring my students to be lifelong readers and learners.

For as long as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to make a difference in the world. I've considered being a nurse, a newscaster, and even a tornado chaser, but when it comes to making a difference in the world, none of them pack an impact like teaching. My why in teaching is truly the students. I enjoy helping them find that spark that comes from learning something new or making their little spark shine brighter because they are so interested in learning. Every year my goal is to help my students see their own potential and provide them with the necessary tools so that they can continue to develop the skills necessary to continue learning for themselves and therefore make their impact in the world.

Making a positive impact and creating lifelong learners is what drives me as a teacher. Nothing brings me greater joy than celebrating their accomplishments throughout the school year and even after they’ve left my classroom.

Ms. Luttrell:

While contemplating my presentation today, I thought back on my past 30 years as a teacher here at Carrollton Elementary, my time spent as the parent of four children who all attended this school, and the phenomenal individuals both past and present who I have been blessed to teach with and call friends and mentors.  All of these scenarios brought me to the following realization:

Who am I?

I am one that stands before you now

And seeks to be named TEACHER OF THE YEAR, 

When in my heart and mind I know

That in many ways I am just like many of you - 

One who is filled with high hopes and dreams and fears.

Who am I?

I am the hands of all of you

Who take a parent’s pride and joy

And plant them in the knowledge soil,

Then nurture, tend, and care for them

In hopes they grow into strong girls and boys.

Who am I?

I am the eyes of all of you

Who look into a child’s face each day

And dream that they will find their special place,

And confidence will fill their hearts,

Because they are prepared to go out in life and find their way.

Who am I?

I am the voice of all of you

Who have worried that you’re not enough for this monumental task    

Of meeting the needs of those in your care.

Knowing that each day is an important page in a child’s book of life -  

Not to be wasted for time passes fast!

Who am I?

I am the dreamer in each of you

Who see this job as your calling in life,

Who look at your student as an artist would

Envisioning what beauty and value each one could add

To enrich and improve this world filled with strife.

Who am I?

I am one of the footprints in Carrollton’s sea of sand

As each day we walk these hallways and share.

Most days our prints are side-by-side - our strength a driving force.

But sometimes there’s only one footprint seen,

For at those times we carried one another as alone we could not stand.

So who am I?

I am the heart of all of you who with the great poet say…

“If I can stop one heart from breaking

Or ease  one life the aching

Or cool one pain

Or help one fainting robin 

Unto his nest again

I shall not live in vain.”

                                                        Serving gratefully and humbly as a Carrollton Lion!

                                                                          Jo Lynne Luttrell

Please note that on the following dates, I will not be approving any personal days: (If you already have an Outlook Calendar Invite, your day is confirmed.)

April 7th- Day before a holiday

April 11th- Day following a holiday

Tuesday, April 25th - Reading STAAR

Wednesday, May 3rd - Science STAAR

Wednesday, May 10th - Math STAAR

Team,

We are on the lest leg of the 2022-2023 school year! Here are a few reminders as we wrap up this year:

• Tier 1 Instruction: Let’s remember that this is crunch time! Melinda and I will be walking the building and are willing to help in any way we can. You may see us work with a small group or just sit in on a lesson. We are here to support you and the students! Let us know how we can help.

• Dress Code: I do not feel that my time, or your time, is well spent talking about employee dress code. In fact, it is not a priority in my leadership. BUT with that being said…we have to look like we are going to work. Please remember this as you decide what you are wearing for the day 😊

• Field Trips: We work hard but we also need to know when it is time to play 😊 Part of educating a child is giving them opportunities that they may not be able to experience at home. Just think…some of our students have never been on a field trip because of Covid! Are you planning on taking a field trip this year? Linda and I are working on our budget and we want to make sure we know what is coming up. The cost of busses has increased, so we need to know what to expect.

Update on field trips:

• Busses for field trip are approximately $400-$500 a trip.

• We will cover the cost of your first field trip of the year

• I am fine if you plan a 2nd field trip but you have to add an additional $5.00 a student to pay for the busses

• Please make sure you turn in your money to Linda. Teachers may not store money in their room.

• All students are required to pay for the field trips. If you have parents who can’t afford the cost, please let me know.

• Plan for students who do not go on field trips (buddy rooms)

• Please get your field trips scheduled ASAP. The field trip request form is on the CE Dashboard. 

• Once your field trip has been approved, add it to everyone’s calendar.  

• On a normal day (not STAAR day) you can work on changing your specials time. The grade level can move their specials time to 7:45-8:30 and specials will move their planning time accordingly.  

• End of Year Events: We need to get grade level EOY events on the calendar. Is your grade level doing awards? Are you having grade level field day? Please meet with your team this week or next week and start placing dates on the calendar. Team leads will send a calendar invite to all staff when you confirm dates. If you don’t know how to do this, send it to me and I will get the dates on the calendar.

• WIN Time: WIN Time is still an expectation. Keep up the great work you are doing! It is making a difference!

• EOY Evaluations: Melinda and I will be sending calendar invites for EOY conferences. You will need to complete a google form PRIOR to us completing your EOY evaluation. If you do not turn in the form, the evaluation will be completed my Melinda or Monica without your input. The form MUST be completed at least 3 days prior to your meeting. Paraprofessionals – You will be sent an evaluation and have the opportunity to go ahead and wave your EOY meeting or you can request an EOY meeting.  From to be completed PRIOR to your evaluation: https://forms.gle/sEymiWet6q45dfby7

• Exchange Days Plan for Professional Staff (for staff hired before Dec 2022) CFBISD has three staff development days built into the 2022-2023 Teacher Calendar: October 10 and November 21 and 22, 2022.  We have a parent conference night to cover the October 10th day. I will need your information to cover the November 21 and November 22 day. Please make sure to complete the PD Exchange Day Form and turn into Koen by May 19th. You MUST have a certificate to print or print the documentation from Strive for the PD days. If you attend a campus culture night or a LIM training off contract time, please add that to your form and I will sign it when you turn it into me. I have the names of those that completed those hours.

I know this is A LOT! Print this off and create a checklist for yourself to make sure you have all of this as a reminder.

Thank you for being EDUCATIONAL ROCKSTARS! I am sure there will be more information to come that is not covered in this email. I just wanted to try to be proactive 😊

Important Dates

3-7 

Celebrate National Assistant Principal Week

3

23-24 Enrollment Begins

MAP 2nd grade 2nd language

MAP 4th grade science

Koen LIM Cohort Meeting at Blanton

4

Librarian Appreciation Day

4th and 5th grade Science PLC day

MAP 3rd grade 2nd language

MAP 5th grade science

Chipotle Spirit Night 4-8

5

MAP 4th grade 2nd language

6

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Hutcheson

MAP 5th grade 2nd language

Leadership Meeting (Koen) 1:00

Registration Night in the cafeteria (4-7)

Board Meeting 7:00

7

School Wide Egg Hunt

Hallway Pep Rally Day

ARD 8:30

ARD 12:30

ARD 2:00

9

School Holiday

10

Grand Canyon University will provide a pizza lunch for the staff

11

CCMR from Newman Smith to visit 5th grade during specials

12

Koen - Digital Threat Training Virtual (all day)

Nurses Meeting 3:15

13

Registration Night 4:00-6:00

14

PTA Spring Dance 6:00-8:00