New staff

Briana Murphy- Coach

What's your name?

Briana Murphy

What do you teach or coach/job title?

I teach Science and I am one of the assistant junior varsity volleyball 🏐coaches at LEHS.

Where is your classroom located?

Room 12

How long have you been teaching?

This is my first year.

Where did you attend High School?

Texas High School/Class of 2012

Where did you go to college?

I graduated from Wiley College. Then in 2017, I graduated with my Masters of Education with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas-Austin. 

At what point did you know that you wanted to teach?

Honestly, I don't remember being a specific age but it's always been a part of who I am. I am a third-generation teacher so it's something that I was always around. My grandmother retired as a principal from Dunbar in 1997 after 30+ years, and my mother taught for 5 years at Theron Jones Elementary, formally known as 15th Street Elementary. Teaching is truly all I've ever known. 🏫

What did you major in college?

Answer is in the question above! 😊

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

I enjoy going to church, playing volleyball, being a makeup artist, writing songs and poetry, listening to and recording my personal podcast, listening to music, and watching documentaries. Most importantly, I love a good NAP! Sleep has become my best friend! 💤🛌

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

I was attracted to the spirit of LE as a teenager. I always wanted to be a part of the Liberty-Eylau family.

Where did you last teach?

This is my first year!

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

I love the family/community feel of the campus. The individuality of the student, faculty, and staff is what makes LE feel at home. It seems like a big family reunion with my cousins!

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

Everyone has been so helpful, warm, and welcoming to me! Shoutout to the West Campus Family! You Rock! 🙌

Anything you would like to add or say at this point in the school year that our readers will find interesting or enlightening?

My only goal is to be a walking reflection of what can be done when you take the limitations off of yourself.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

The craziest thing I have ever done was move to a brand new city and state without ever visiting before. I am definitely a move-on-faith type of person. 

William Henderson- Teacher/Math

What's your name?

William Henderson

What do you teach or coach/job title?

Math

Where is your classroom located?

Room 15

How long have you been teaching?

3 years

Where did you attend High School?

Liberty-Eylau (I walked these halls not long ago as a senior!)

Where did you go to college? 

Stephen F. Austin 🏫

At what point did you know you wanted to teach? 

Junior year of college 

Did you major in college? 

Communication Studies

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family? 

Cook,  garden, game, tennis

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

It's my home. 

Where did you last teach? 

I've only taught at What do you like the most so far at LEHS? 

The sense of community

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year? 

Mrs. Griffith

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

I went sledding in shorts in Colorado.🧊

Zane Cole- Teacher/Golf-coach

What's your name? 

Zane Cole

What do you teach or coach/job title? 

I teach World History and World Geography, and coach football and golf 

where is your classroom located? 

Room 16

How long have you been teaching? 

This year makes 9 years total 🤟

Where did you attend High School? 

Texas High School

Where did you go to college? 

Southern Arkansas University🫏

At what point did you know you wanted to teach? 

My freshman year of college 

Did you major in college?

English

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family? 

Hunt, fish, and play with my dogs  

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School? 

I left the district for 2 years and wanted to come back and coach kids I had been around since I started teaching. 

Where did you last teach? 

Arkansas High School/TASD

What do you like the most so far at LEHS? 

The culture here is different from anywhere else I have been. 

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year? 

Coach Rushing 🆘

Anything you would like to add or say at this point in the school year that readers will find interesting or enlightening?

'A civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity.' -Robert Frost. 

What's the craziest thing you've ever done? 

Got stuck on a side-by-side in the Purgatory River in Colorado for 3 hours. 😕

Ca'Shunn Harris- Geometry & Algebra 2

What's your name?

Cashunn Harris

What do you teach or coach/job title?

Geometry and Algebra 2

Where is your classroom located?

Room 13

How long have you been teaching?

I have been teaching for 3 years

Where did you attend High School?

San Antonio School of Science and Technology 

Where did you go to college?

Texas A&M -Texarkana

At what time did you know you wanted to teach?

When I got bored

What did you major in college?

Mathematics

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

Video games, travel, eat (bring me a plate and get a free A)

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

Ronald Makaramba

Where did you last teach?

Texas Middle School TISD

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

A/C in the Room

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

Myself... Nah Just playing. Everyone has helped me.

Anything you would like to add or say at this point in the school year that our readers will find interesting or enlightening

I'm always starving 🥞

what is the craziest thing you have ever done? 

Climbed a volcano 🌋

Elizabeth Smith- Forensics, Integrated Physics and Forensics 

What's your name?

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith 

What do you teach or coach/job title?

Integrated Physics, Chemistry, and Forensics 

Where is your classroom located?

East Campus Room 104

How long have you been teaching?

23 years

Where did you attend High School?

Atlanta High School/Atlanta TX

Where did you go to college?

Texas A&M University/College Station, TX

At what point did you know you wanted to teach?

I knew I wanted to teach after I got a job at a day school teaching Pre-K. I went back through an alternative certification program and got my certificate after getting my B.S. Degree in Animal Science.

What did you major in college?

Animal Science

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

Attend Fightin' Texas Aggie Football games/spend time with family and be involved in whatever my kids do/spend time with my spoiled baby 'Boomer' (mix of Pitt bull and black lab), I love scratch-off lottery tickets and going out to eat. 🍲

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

I wanted to teach in a larger district and reach more students. I was drawn to the way that the ISD treated their staff and how much they supported them educationally. You are only as good as your leadership and I feel that this was a great opportunity to be a part of a strong team and therefore will have a positive lifelong impact on our students.

Where did you last teach?

Bloomberg ISD/Bloomberg, TX

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

I love the excitement of the students and the pride they have in being a leopard. I like the administrative team and the support they provide to staff and students.

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

I have had a lot of help from numerous staff members so it would be a very long list! I have had a ton of help from my department head Christina Kimble. I would also be lost without the East campus secretary Mrs. Johnson! I have had help from everyone honestly and it has been so impressive how much everyone is willing to help me. 

Anything you would like to add or say at this point in the school year that our readers will find interesting or enlightening?

I have two sons, one at Texas A&M and one is a senior at Atlanta High School. I am married to Trent Smith and enjoy traveling and hope to visit Ireland one day. My favorite holiday is St. Patrick's Day and I love Christmas lights, glitter, and anything that sparkles! I was a cheerleader in high school and coached cheer for over 14 years/ coached tennis for 4 years. 🎾

Shannon Smith- English III

What's your name?

Shannon Smith

What do you teach or coach/job title?

English III- Junior English

Where is your classroom located?

West Campus Room #7

How long have you been teaching?

15 years

Where did you attend High School?

Broken Bow High School

Where did you go to college?

Oklahoma State University

At what point did you know you wanted to teach?

Two years into college I decided I wanted to teach, and it was the right choice. I love what I do!

What did you major in college?

English

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

Travel and spend time with my family. 

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

Up until 7 years ago, I always taught at the high school level. I wanted to get back to the high school level...it's my favorite age to teach.

Where did you last teach?

Liberty-Eylau Middle School

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

I like the atmosphere and the positive school culture.

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

Everyone has been helpful. The  ELA department and hall neighbors have been very welcoming, and I appreciate it.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

Repelled a 55-foot waterfall in Maui, Hawaii.🏖️

Ariel Meeks- Art teacher

What's your name?

Mrs. Ariel Meeks

What do you teach or coach?

Art

Where is your classroom located?

West side portable building/ Room #24

How long have you been teaching?

16 years 

Where did you attend High School? 

Pine Bluff High School

Where did you go to college?

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Henderson State University

At what point did you know you know you wanted to teach?

My sophomore year of college

What did you major in college?

Art education, Early childhood education, and educational leadership

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

Read or spend time with my family

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

  I  started my teaching career at the high school level, but I have been teaching elementary for the past 11 years. I wanted to go back to what I first started.

Where did you last teach?

Tyler, Texas with Tyler ISD

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

I love the students who are excited about their areas of interest (such as the baseball team, theater, or choir) They seem to wear their spirit with pride.

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

Ms. Hatchett

Anything you would like to add or say at this point in the school year that our reader will find interesting or enlightening?

I played the flute in high school and have two daughters who play the saxophone. My older daughter was the head high school drum major in high school and is currently majoring in music. I am excited to see the band during marching season because music has been a big part of my and my family's lives.

Latasha Harris- Teacher?

What's your name?

Mrs. Harris

What do you teach or coach/job title?

East campus Assistant Principal

Where is your classroom located?

East campus office

How long have you been teaching?

9 Years

Where did you attend High School?

Arkansas High School

Where did you go to college?

The University of Mississippi, Life University, American Intercontinental University, Lamar University.

At what point did you know you wanted to teach?

2013

What did you major in college?

BBA- Management, MBA- Marketing

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

Travel with kids and sports

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

I started my teaching career at LE and wanted to return and retire as a Leopard

Where did you last teach?

TISD- Texas Middle School

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

Interact with students

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

The entire staff!

Anything you would like to add to say at this point in the school year that our readers would find interesting or enlightening? 

I played the flute in high school and have two daughters who play the saxophone. The oldest daughter was head high school drum major in high school and is currently majoring in music. I am excited to see the band during marching season because music has been a big part of my life

Ivy Harris-Brown - Teacher?

What's your name?

Ivy Harris-Brown

What do you teach or coach/job title?

Ag/FFA teacher

Where is your classroom located?

Ag building

How long have you been teaching?

1 year

Where did you attend High School?

Atlanta High School

Where did you go to college?

Texas A&M- Commerce

At what point did you know you wanted to teach

My whole life

What did you major in college?

Agriculture Business

What is it you do in your leisure time/hobbies/family?

Spending time with family, and being outdoors

What made you come to Liberty-Eylau High School?

My dad was here before me

Where did you last teach?

Atlanta ISD/CSNT

What do you like the most so far at LEHS?

The family atmosphere 

What person/fellow teacher has helped you the most (so far) this school year?

All the staff and the Administration