Both bands at the same time!?!? What a great idea! (And, Anderson WINS!)

Does it get any better??? Both Anderson and McCallum marched on the field together. It was absolutely gorgeous to see the students take the field together and play together. I'm in marching band LOVE!

Did I mention that Anderson won?! CONGRATULATIONS TROJANS!!!!

Taco Bowl tension

Who will win??? The score was at Anderson 6 and McCallum 7. Just saw
Principal Garrison and he's pacing the sidelines...and then a big score for
McCallum. Anderson may score right now...
Just met the new drum majors Sydney and Rachel. And, of course Ben was here
last year. They'll be on the field soon.

Bailey Is Full of Papa Bears, Mama Bears, and Bear Cubs

Another Recognized school! AISD has so many Recognized and Exemplary schools this year — 68 — that my head is spinning from the excellence all around town.

Bailey is very proud of its rating, and staff spilled out of the school's front door to welcome our bus. They couldn't wait to accept that very special flag. Our hosts were Dr. Julia Fletcher, principal; Bethany Logan, assistant principal; Alice Ralph, secretary; and Stanford Fleming, sixth grade math and ascience teacher.

Our first stop in the school tour was the Technology Lab, with teacher Mr. Brown, who was using Lanschool, a software application that controls all the students' computers. It also enables the teacher to view all the students' screens (no web surfing, kids!). Bailey also has B-TV, or Bailey television, on which the students do daily live school announcements.





As we walked past the cafeteria, Dr. Fletcher told us about the Bailey Bear Dads who are involved with students' sports and who assist in the cafeteria during lunch; and the Bailey Mama Bears who volunteer in the office and the library where we also met library clerk Ms. Mayo.

In this fourth day of school, Bailey cares about its Bear Cubs — sixth graders who are new to the campus. Older students write letters to each of the cubs, in which they offer their best advice about what's what at Bailey. How helpful and welcoming to these students who have moved up to middle school from their cozy elementaries! Having once been a middle school teacher, I understand how overwhelming things can be to sixth graders.

Andrea Skola, Teacher of Promise

Eddie Martinez, Teacher of the Year

This southwest Austin middle school was opened in 1993, and is named for Gordon Bailey. Mr. Bailey began his AISD career in 1938. He was a teacher, a coach, a counselor, an assistant principal and a principal. In 1960, he became the first principal of Johnston High School. His students called him "Papa" Bailey, and he knew each of them by name. He retired in 1972. Mr. Bailey's career was one of service to his community and to children. In addition to his career in education, Mr. Bailey served honorably as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and was even a professional baseball player. His many awards, commendations, and citations can be seen in the Gordon A. Bailey room of the school.



We had a great time at Bailey Middle School and enjoyed meeting all the big and little bears. Thanks for letting us come by!

Gorzycki Tigers Are Grrreat!

Our newest middle school, Gorzycki, had its maiden voyage this past year and hit the ball out of the park with its accountability performance. It is a RECOGNIZED school. I remember when this school was just a twinkle in the eye of southwest Austin! Well, truthfully, Gorzycki and I shared a first year in 2009-2010, so I have a special spot in my heart for the Tigers.

Principal Vicki Bauerle and her office staff greeted us and proudly displayed their Recognized flag.

Technology is fully integrated throughout this school, teachers use our new Innovation Stations to teach in new ways. These multi-media machines are computers with cameras and projectors, and with sound embedded in the classroom. Students can video conference with other classes, even at another school.

And you have to see the library with its array of computers! (This is the gorgeous library where the librarian is teaching.) Ah, technology! It's changing teaching and learning so much, and I'm determined that AISD will be leading the technology charge nationally.

The fine arts wing and band hall are located near the office so we got to visit there. Seeing the music facilities at Gorzycki, I'm sure the school's namesake would be very proud that future generations of musicians are being trained there. They even use technology in band class — an iphone with a tuner ap. So cool.


















The school is named for Diane Gorzycki, who was the band director of Bailey Middle School for many years, and also AISD's Fine Arts director. Sadly, she passed away a few years ago, and this community sent hundreds of letters asking that their new middle school be named for this much-loved and respected teacher.

Gorzycki's Teacher of Promise, Jonathan Howard, was former tech business owner who sold his company, and both he and his wife, now a physical education teacher, joined the ranks in teaching — and, we are so glad they did!

Teacher of the Year, Karen McKee, a special education teacher, was able to join us for a brief moment on our tour. Ms. Aguilar, security officer, really wanted to meet me so she joined us in the library (Can you see the principal hiding in the background? That's her in the black dress.)

The culture of learning is reinforced throughout the school. I just love this sign on the main stairwell! I wouldn't have to "Go Risky" in predicting that this school will continue to excel. Thanks, Tigers, for a grrreat time!

They Can, Who Believe They Can at Akins - and They Did!

The motto at Akins High School is "They can, who believe they can" — and they did by achieving a Recognized rating for the first time in the history of the school. We are all believers now! (Dr. Akins, for whom the school is named, I know is really proud of the progress and achievement of the students and staff!)

Smartly uniformed Air Force JROTC cadets - Zachery, Carlos, and An - met our school bus to escort us into the school. They learn about leadership, global studies, and core management in JROTC, and these students can qualify for college scholarships too. The cadets received the flag and within minutes had it up on a flag pole. It was proudly waving on the pole in the front of the school for all to see. And, see, you should.

Student journalists were documenting the entire visit — Brianna, Eduardo, Theresa, and David.

The office staff was busy welcoming parents and students. They are really nice and hardworking, especially Sandra Salinas, who is the secretary for the school. The enrollment is above capacity at 2,704 students, but, you would never know because it feels like a family and a home.

Speaking of family, we went to see the happy and welcoming Teacher of Promise, Shelly Arnim, in her class. I'm certain that she'll be a future Teacher of the Year for the district or state. She was so gracious and humble and fun. I could tell that her students really liked her already.

We immediately went to New Tech High where I met Mr. Urbizu who teaches IWS (integrated world studies where English and social studies are combined).

And, then, the long, long, long, long, journey began ... walking to the "villas" (aka portables). (Can a superintendent get a golf cart around here?!?!?)

Anyway, we finally made it to Greg Izor's class where he was teaching Advisory when we arrived. Students from last year had no problem sharing with us why they thought he won Teacher of the Year. One student said, "He taught me things that I'll be able to use for the rest of my life." And, someone said that he shares his granola bars too. That's really sweet.

Thanks to the 2008 bond program, Akins is getting a T-STEM wing (Texas Science Technology Engineering and Math) where students will have two fancy, high tech labs and 10 classrooms for project based learning centering around math and science.

Cadet Le says, "Ms. Pierce is a great teacher. She teaches different levels of engineering where we learn how to move object mechanically. In the second year, we learn how to sort different objects with machines and computer programs." Ms. Pierce is a shining example of T-STEM teaching.

At this point I was starving for some lunch (love the taco bowls here ... had my first one when I first became superintendent and visited the school). However, Principal Daniel Girard had more to show us, so our long walking journey continued. We ended up at Mr. Espinoza's Intro to Engineering class where we watched a demonstration of the robotics equipment by a freshman student, Marcas, who was doing it for first time (no pressure!).

He was great and very skilled already. The room is covered with the past years' rockets. I feel like I'm at NASA or something.

I got to play with the robotic machine too. It alone costs about $30,000 — the baby ones are about $500 — and they need many, many more for all the students who are interested in taking that class.

Taco Bowl Before

Taco Bowl After

Finally, lunch. I stayed to have a cafeteria lunch with the students (yum ... taco bowls).
A great big THANKS to the journalism students who were helping me write this blog, and also Brianna and Carlos, from JROTC, who filled in all the blanks and details.







(Hey, how did Paul Cruz get a golf cart??? Oh, he's got a hook up with Mr. Ortiz!)

As I wrapped up eating my now soggy taco bowl, I want to say that I have AGAIN had a wonderful time at Akins. I was just gushing about them with IBM execs yesterday. IBM is funding Project Lead the Way at Akins and other schools in the district. I just want to say that this will be money well spent.

So we waved goodbye to Akins High School and proudly watched that Recognized flag wave in the breeze!

What Exemplary Means at Becker Elementary

Becker Elementary principal Betty Jenkins and a group of top-notch students met us on the front walk this morning as we arrived to present their Exemplary flag. I chatted with the kids about what being exemplary means, and how it takes hard work to reach it. I told them that being exemplary is something they'll never forget, and that remembering the pride they feel now will help them set high goals throughout their lives. They were prepared to ask me questions and they did!

Becker has worked hard this year. Like Sims and Oak Springs, they moved up, not one, but TWO accountability ratings to EXEMPLARY. I am so happy for them. They plan to hand their flag under the original entrance where the name Becker is stamped into the building. Oh, and that building. I think it's one of the beautiful facilities we have. I am a sucker for art deco architecture and design. This building, built in 1936, has a lot of personality and natural beauty just like the neighborhood. When I first moved to Austin, I lived on West Mary and very much enjoyed the experience.

Joining our welcoming party were Rosalinda Castanon, Reading Specilaist; Josie Palacios, 4th grade Bilingual teacher; La Kesha Drinks, Assistant Principal; and Ercimin Paredes, 5th Grade Bilingual Teacher.

Becker is one of our Dual Language pilot schools this year. Teachers teach and students (whose primary language is either English or Spanish) learn in both languages. I hope that more families in the area will visit Becker and take advantage of the high quality programming offered in that school. The research speaks for itself: dual language is one of the best academic designs especially for preparing our kids for a globally competitive economy.

I visited a kindergarten classroom taught by Georgina Vega Krum. They were studying "ciencia" or science IN SPANISH for both English and Spanish speakers. Further, the students were already greeting me in Spanish (and this only the fourth day of school). It's really magical. I'd like to give a shout to all the parents who are embracing this design. It will forever pay off for your kids. Congrats on a great decision!

Becker is a lovely old school that has a cozy feel with wood floors in the classrooms. Across the street, the art room and Green Classroom are in small houses. In the gardens of the Green Classroom, students learn science by growing fruits and vegetables. They also enjoy eating what they've grown. One thing that Becker has that perhaps is unique in AISD -- a chicken coop! (I don't think the kids eat the chickens, though.)

This school is named for Herman Becker who was a local businessman and homesteader in this area of Austin. He died in 1935, and his son and son-in-law, proprietors of the Becker Lumber Company, donated three acres of the homestead site for the construction of this school. There's a wonderful hallway display about the original homestead. What a great way to help children learn about the history of their own neighborhood.

We had to get going, and sadly said goodbye to this small, sweet, lovely, and Exemplary school!