Wednesday, February 18, 2015

REEP Business Fellowship for School Leaders


Six Spring Branch ISD leaders including two school principals, three assistant principals and a prekindergarten program director returned to school early this month with the Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) Business Fellowship for School Leaders, a yearlong development and training program.

The REEP Business Fellowship is offered through the Jones Graduate School of Business to better equip campus principals or other qualifying educators with the leadership tools they will need in areas ranging from innovation and organization to marketing and staff management. REEP helps principals run their campus with a CEO mindset.

The two SBISD principals joining the 2015 REEP class are Danny Gex, interim principal at Stratford High, and Rian Evans, principal at Wilchester Elementary. Also joining the Rice program is Kim Hammer, the director of Bear Boulevard School for Early Learning.

Two assistant principals and an associate principal also joined REEP’s Business Fellowship. They are Michelle Garcia, who is Ridgecrest Elementary’s assistant principal; Linda Guzman, assistant principal at Spring Oaks Middle; and Debbie Silber, associate principal at Spring Woods High.

Participants attend one weekend session per month as part of the yearlong program, including a two-week summer institute. Classes began earlier this month. The new group expects to graduate in May 2016.

REEP’s curriculum is designed to teach strategic frameworks for identifying and solving problems, exploring alternatives and reaching solutions to improve schools, and current school systems. New academic theory is blended with practical thinking and experiences.

Classes include leadership development, organizational behavior, change management and other business and entrepreneurial courses.

“Acceptance [into a REEP Business Fellowship program] recognizes academic and professional achievements, along with their potential for outstanding personal and career development. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the RICE/REEP community as members of the seventh cohort,” states Shea Bledsoe, Reep’s assistant director of recruiting and marketing.

Six other SBISD principals and others are expected to graduate in this May.

New REEP Program Leaders include:
  
Rian Evans
Rian Evans is a native of Portland, Ore.  He attended both public and private schools, and these early experiences helped to broaden and expand his ideas and views on education and the tools and skills needed to be successful in multiple learning environments.

Rian originally earned a bachelor of science in history from Portland State University in Portland, Ore., later received two additional graduate degrees in education in New York City.  He earned a master’s degree in special education from Hunter College as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership from Baruch College.
 
He began teaching as an inner city resource teacher in both middle and high schools in Manhattan.  In 2007, he moved with his family to Houston and was hired as the assistant principal at Bunker Hill Elementary.   Two years later, Rian was promoted to principal at Wilchester Elementary.  He is serving his fifth year as a principal, and 12th year in public education.

Michelle Garcia
A daughter of immigrant parents, Michelle Garcia was raised in a Spanish speaking, limited socio-economic household in southwest Houston. She attended Title I schools in Houston ISD from the beginning of her education. This opportunity allowed her to experience first-hand what economically disadvantaged communities endure and overcome.  It has been the inspiration behind her service to the very same population. 

Compassion is at the heart of her desire to do everything she can to help the children and their parents and teachers at Ridgecrest Elementary.  She wants each child to reach their full potential so their futures will be brighter by learning problem-solving skills that will advance their own communities.   

After a challenging high school experience, Michelle was determined to pursue her dream of earning a college education with the goal of becoming the influential teacher she always wanted to be since she was a little girl.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in bilingual education from Houston Baptist University, and later, a master’s degree in education administration from Prairie View A & M University.   

Michelle began her teaching career as a bilingual teacher in SBISD in 1997 with aspirations of touching children’s lives in an extraordinary way.  Her journey as an educator continued as a reading specialist who was passionate about teaching struggling students to learn to read and write.  She has planted her roots in Spring Branch were she currently serves as the assistant principal in the same school she taught her first year in education.  Her SBISD roles have included intervention specialist, instructional coach, and district lead for elementary language arts.  She loves working with children at school and at church, and she loves challenging herself to new heights.

Danny (Robert) Gex
A native Houstonian, Danny attended primary and secondary schools in the suburbs of west Houston.  His unique educational experience molded his philosophy and outlook on education today and enables him to think differently than others, seeking ways to help his students enjoy their educational experience as much as he did.

In 1985, he left west Houston and traveled up the road about 100 miles to attend college at Texas A&M University.  Danny believes that the confidence and knowledge he obtained by putting himself through college by working odd jobs allowed him to take risks and follow his dreams.  He knew that no matter what obstacles he faced, he could always achieve whatever he put his mind to.  By working at a camp for underprivileged kids he knew he wanted to impact the lives of children in the same way his life was impacted.  He recognized then that education was his ticket to a rewarding and exciting life. 

Since Texas A&M, Danny has obtained a master’s degree in education from Prairie View A&M University and doctoral work except for a dissertation, or ABD, from Texas A&M University. 

Danny started teaching and coaching in SBISD in 1991 at Spring Forest Junior High and a year later at Stratford High School.  He went to Katy ISD in 1996 and was an Assistant Principal at Mayde Creek Junior High for two years, and then served at Taylor High School for five years.

In 2003, Danny moved to Second Baptist School for four years as the director of student affairs and athletic director.  In 2007, returned to public education and SBISD’s Stratford High.  For the past eight years his roles have included science department chair, AP testing coordinator, assistant principal, and associate principal. He is currently interim principal at Stratford High.

In addition to high school duties, Danny loves doing church mission trips with his wife and four daughters.

Linda Guzman
A proud native of New Orleans, Linda Guzman is also a history fanatic, educator and devoted mother. Anyone who knows Linda knows that she is a determined, focused and competitive person.  When she wants something, she makes it happen through hard work and diligence.  She makes bold choices in her life and is constantly formulating new goals for herself. She is exhilarated by stretching herself to try new things. Direct in her communication style, she enjoys helping other people grow whether it’s a student, teacher or friend.  She's a natural teacher.

Discovering her passion for history in elementary school, Linda chose to major in history and received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of New Orleans. After working in the life insurance industry, Linda decided to pursue a position that enabled her to make a positive impact on people. 

She began substitute teaching and soon realized that her purpose and path in life was to teach. The principal at the private school where Linda often substituted recognized her natural ability to teach and hired her as full time history and English teacher.  Soon after, her path towards seeking more knowledge and experiences to better serve students and stretch her potential began.

In order to teach history in public high school, Linda received her alternative certification and began her 14-year career in SBISD at Spring Woods High.  Linda had lived in the neighborhood for 24 years, and she believed that this was an excellent opportunity to serve her community. 

For 10 years, Linda taught social studies and English as a Second Language (ESL) at Spring Wood High School. Her leadership opportunities at the high school included serving as team leader for world history, ESL coordinator, and department chair. 

Linda received her master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University two years ago. She is currently assistant principal at Spring Oaks Middle School. While at Spring Oaks, Linda has served as the testing coordinator, oversees Title 1 and Campus Improvement Plan, and supervises instructional programs and professional development.

Linda enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and indulging her passions for history through reading, traveling and visiting museums.

Kim Hammer
A native Houstonian, Kim’s family relocated to Knoxville, Tenn., where Kim began school. When the family moved back to Houston, Kim began second grade in Houston ISD. She struggled with reading after being taught to read by sight in Tennessee, and then found that her new school expected her to read phonetically. This struggle early on has helped shape her own passion to support diverse learners as an adult.

After high school, Kim spent her freshman and sophomore year at Texas A&M University pursing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education. She transferred to Texas State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

Kim spent the first two years of her career as a special education teacher in San Marcos ISD. After receiving a full scholarship, she taught in Austin ISD while completing a master’s degree at the University of Texas. She earned several certifications at this time, too.

Missing her home town and family, Kim moved back to Houston and served the next 15 years in Alief ISD beginning as a special education teacher. Kim has the distinct honor of being the two-time winner of validation status in the State of Texas Education Agency Showcase of Promising Practices. Her classroom served as a demonstration site attracting visitors from across Texas.

She received her Principal Certification through the University of Houston at Victoria. Positions she has held: coordinator of district extended year services, special education high school department chair, district inclusion specialist, and special education instructional coordinator.

Kim also gained a national perspective with an educational consulting firm as an associate and was a coordinator of research and development for the firm. Longing to have a local impact, she returned to public education. She currently is the director of Bear Boulevard School for Early Learning in SBISD.

Kim loves to spend time with family, visiting dog parks, bird watching, and supporting her son with rocketry endeavors and interests.

Deborah Landau Silber
Deborah Silber was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She attended primary and secondary Jewish School in Venezuela. She credits her educational and upbringing experience for molding her philosophy and outlook on education.

Known affectionately as Debbie to her family and close friends, she left Venezuela at the age of 20 to pursue her dream of living in the United States. The knowledge and experience gained from studying in America fueled her ability to take greater risks. She believes that perseverance and belief in oneself does forge the path to success.

Although psychology was her first goal, life had other plans for Deborah as fate helped find her passion in education. Since moving to America to pursue an education, Deborah has obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational behavior.

Deborah began her teaching career with Houston ISD in 1998 and worked for HISD until 2013. Her roles have included teacher, elementary assistant principal, high school assistant principal, community development and elementary principal. She has served the last two years in Spring Branch ISD as associate principal at Spring Woods High School.

Deborah loves to travel, read and spend time with her two children.

Bookworm Festival Draws Hundreds


Hundreds of young, early readers and families joined five children’s authors and illustrators at Spring Oaks Middle School on Jan. 31 for the district’s Bookworm Festival. Several Spring Branch ISD elementary schools helped their students and parents attend with Saturday bus transportation.

Children's author Dan Santat speaks to young readers at
the Bookworm Festival.
Festival keynote speaker Dan Santat learned only two days after the event that he had been awarded the Randolph Caldecott Medal for picture book artistry for The Adventures of Beekle: The Imaginary Friend. The American Library Association issued the award, considered one of the top national prizes in children’s literature.

Santat talked about his most recent book, A Crankenstein Valentine, and his love for writing and illustrating to several hundred SBISD students and parents. Santat found his calling in creating picture books after switching from microbiology and  a future career in dentistry to art school and uncertain future. A supportive father gave him permission to “be happy.”

“Being a writer and an illustrator is like being a wizard. If you become a writer or illustrator, you can take simple tools – a pencil, pad and paintbrush – and you can make absolutely anything from nothing,” he told students and parents gathered in the middle school cafeteria. 

This year’s Bookworm Festival was designed as a fun event celebrating emerging readers, and those who write for them. Hundreds of students from three schools – Hollibrook, Shadow Oaks and Woodview – rode buses to the school event. The children’s authors attracted students and families from across Houston, too.

SBISD teachers and librarians read authors’ books to students ahead of the festival to familiarize students with book characters.

Bookworm Festival authors included:
  • Deborah Freedman. Author and illustrator Freedman has written three books, including Scribble, Blue Chicken and The Story of Fish & Snail (2013). Her newest book, By Mouse & Frog, will be released in April.
  • Tad Hills. American writer and illustrator Hills has published nine books in the Duck & Goose series and several more in the Rocket Learns to Read series, including How Rocket Learned to Read, and Rocket Writes a Story.
  • Dan Santat. In addition to his new book, A Crankenstein Valentine, this children’s author may be best known for The Guild of Geniuses, and for creating the Disney Channel animated series, The Replacements. He was awarded the Caldecott Medal literary prize for best picture book.
  • Jennifer Hamburg. Houston-based Hamburg has written A Moose That Says Moo, Monkey, and Duck Quack Up. She has written for television shows on Disney Junior, PBS and Nick Jr. She won two Emmy Awards as a writing team member for Between the Lions.
  • Dan Hanna. He illustrated the many “Pout-Pout Fish” series books. He has more than 10 years of experience in the animation industry, and his works and illustrations have appeared on BBC, America and the Cartoon Network.

Blue Willow Books, a generous district partner, supported the special author event.

Festival attendance increased in one year from 300 to 500 students and adults, said teacher and librarian Melanie Scales of Spring Shadows Elementary School.

“All of our authors and illustrators expressed their gratitude and pleasure at being included in an event that was created for children and authors. They enjoyed the opportunity to interact with readers in our community. I saw so many happy kids, parents, educators and book people,” Scales said. “It was a magical morning!”

The Saturday event included two separate sessions with authors and then a closing children’s puppet show.

During breakout sessions, authors Tad Hills and Deborah Freedman talked openly about the personal joys and headaches involved in writing and illustrating as a job.

Their advice for young writers was simple – read, read, read, and then write, write, write. “The best way to write a lot of stories is to read a lot of stories. Read a lot of books, as many and as many types as you can,” Tad Hills said.

“All the writers I know are big readers. They write and they read a lot, and the best advice I have for young writers is to just write. Write something, and then write the next something. Just keep writing and reading,” Deborah Freedman said.

Young Adult Author Q&A: Matt de la Peña

Critically acclaimed author Matt de la Peña visited Stratford High School recently and talked to about 300 middle and high school students from across the school district. In the high school auditorium, de la Peña discussed his journey from basketball jock to writer as he pulls new ideas and fictional characters from everyday life.

California born, de la Peña lives, writes and teaches today in New York City. The new father has written six well-praised books, including Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican WhiteBoy and The Living. His Houston visit was sponsored by Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Drive, where he held an evening reading from his award-winning children’s picture book, Last Stop on Market Street. The area bookstore was packed with fans of all ages for his reading.

His Jan. 22 talk included high school students from Stratford, Memorial and Spring Woods, as well as small groups from Cornerstone Academy, Westchester Academy for International Studies and Spring Branch Middle School. His SBISD stop was arranged through Blue Willow and district librarians, including Stratford High’s own Lisa Stultz.

De la Peña spoke freely about his “mixed” upbringing: His dad is Mexican and his mother is white. His young adult books offer first-hand insights into issues related to increasing diversity in American families.

He spoke frankly about his published books and how he brainstorms his plots and fictional characters. He uses life-as-it-happens, ranging from the conversations he may overhear on a New York City subway ride to falling in love at first sight with a Vietnamese-American girl at a teenage house party, to base quirky characters on. De la Peña’s characters quite often have unforgettable names – Sticky, Shy and Anh-thu – to match their personalities.

After his campus talk, de la Peña took time to sit down with new Stratford High reporter Ellie Herrmann to talk about the writing process, the feelings behind planning his first series, and the new books we can look forward to. 

Ellie Herrmann, Student Reporter
Student Reporter Ellie Herrmann interviews Matt de la Peña
(Selected Questions & Answers)

Q: You went to the University of the Pacific on a basketball scholarship. How did you go from playing basketball to earning your Bachelor of Arts?
A: I think basketball took me to college, and then, once I got there, I knew I wasn’t good enough to play beyond college, so I committed more to academics. The thing that I loved the most was writing poetry, and slowly but surely, my poems became too long to be poems, and they became short stories. Then I started becoming a reader; I always tell people you can never be even a good writer unless you’re first a great reader, so I think once I became a really, really invested reader, that was when my writing got better.
Q: Do you believe having grown up in California influences your writing in any way?
A: Yes, everything I’ve ever written. I’ve never written a book that takes place outside of California, even though I’ve lived in New York for 10 years.
Q: When did you know that you wanted to write your first book?
A: I think that when I was writing short stories I knew that one day I’d write a novel. So before graduate school, I made a goal of writing a novel. I would never not do it.
Q: The first book you wrote was Ball Don’t Lie in 2005. How long did that process take, to get to the point of publication, and what was involved in it?
A: It took about a year and a half to write, and it took about another year and a half to revise, so I revised it hundreds of times. Well not really hundreds, but a hundred. And then I got an agent, and then the agent sold it; it took him about four months. And then it takes two years after it’s sold for it to come out. Even though the book’s done. 
Q: Your first children’s book was released in 2010, A Nation’s Hope. Why did you make the switch from young adult to children’s books?
A: You know what, in a weird way, you know how I said I started with poetry? It’s like going back to the poetry, writing picture books. You’re going to verse. It’s the rhythm of just a few words. It was great, and now I have a little daughter, she’s only 9 months old, and it’s so cool I have a second picture book. I want to keep doing these, I love it.
Q: You have your first series that starts with The Living. What’s it like [plotting] a series?
A: It’s hard as hell. I’ll never do it again. Have you ever heard of the Twilight books? I used to make fun of those books and now I’m like, that chick is a genius. How did she do all the connecting? That’s amazing! I can’t believe. It was so hard to do, and my series is only two books. 
Q: You live in Brooklyn now. When did you know you wanted to teach creative writing there?
A: That’s the kind of thing that you just fall into, because you’re starving when you first write a book. You have one book out, and you’re literally starving. You’re like, I could either rob a bank, or I could teach a class. And if I teach a class, I definitely won’t go to jail. So that’s when you decide to teach a class. . . I’m never in one place that long, but I do love teaching.
Q: Do you enjoy the traveling? Or is it just something you have to do?
A: I love it, but now that I have this little kid, I miss this little kid. That’s the sad thing.
Q: Where do you draw your daily inspiration for your books and your speeches?
A: Other books. I read a lot of other books. I am always inspired by other authors. And then your memories, you go back into your memories. Or sometimes I do school visits, and I’m here, and I meet somebody who looks sad, and is not really engaging, and I’ll imagine where they’re coming from. 
Q: What is your absolute favorite part about being an author?
A: It’s when you’re writing a book that you think isn’t good, and you don’t think it’s good for six straight months. And then suddenly, you figure something out, and you go, ‘Oh my gosh, now I understand what this book is about.’ And it’s this euphoric epiphany, and from that point on you actually understand your book. 
Q: Do you have any new books coming out soon?
A: I do. I have one book that’s coming out May 12; it’s called The Hunted. Then I have another book I’m starting now that comes out in 2016.