Graham Scotties - Earning Their "Academic" Drivers License Early

Kindergarten students said good morning
on their way off to PE class

One of the reasons that I just couldn't wait to come back and visit Graham Elementary today - it's one of AISD's best schools. From their school marquee outside with the slogan "80% of Success is Showing Up," to the hallways throughout the campus filled with interactive learning, it is clear that Scotties rule!

Principal Blaine Helwig and his Assistant Principal Chao Lin Chang greeted us outside.



We were quickly escorted to the front office where I met Mr. Helwig's wonderful office staff and Parent Support Specialist Richard Castillo. Mr. Castillo has been instrumental in increasing parent involvement and helping Graham cultivate partnerships. Graham recently started a beautiful community garden with the Chinese church in the neighborhood and has new picnic tables outside for families. Fabulous!

Graham's wonderful office staff and
Parent Support Specialist Richard Castillo

I was so impressed to see that Graham's entire school community is dedicated to accelerating its English Language Learner student population. Mr. Helwig shared that Graham had one year where they were almost low performing, but now almost 50% of their 800 students are commended! In fact, in the three short years that Mr. Helwig has been the Principal at Graham, the campus has gone from Academically Acceptable to EXEMPLARY two years in a row! Way to go Scotties!

As you travel through the hallways, it is clear that Mr. Helwig and his staff are creating and reinforcing a strong college-bound culture. Mr. Helwig is also a model for the importance of mentoring and has served as a mentor at three of our elementary schools: Oak Springs, Becker, and Zavala.




The walls at Graham are colorful and filled with science displays, including an interactive solar system, geography lesson, and posters to encourage reading.



Graham has also worked this year on several beautification projects such as adding an annex and extending their gym. They are working hard to ensure student safety and academics. Graham is also a model for the whole child and is participating in the Marathon Kids Program.

Our next stop was to see Graham's Teacher of Promise Desiree Holt, whose first grade ESL (English as a Second Language) students showed me their special song for learning how to say my name - Dr. C-A-R-S-T-A-R-P-H-E-N. It was adorable!

Teacher of Promise Desiree Holt

Paul Cruz, our Chief Schools Officer and Suzanne Burke, our Executive Director of Curriculum, joined me in handing out some future graduation cards to the students in Ms. Holt's class — a simple and fun way to remind these students to study hard so that they will graduate in 2022.

Science Teacher Angie Roberts and
her students-the future meteorologists of America!

 We then traveled across the campus to visit 5th grade Science Teacher Angie Roberts' class whose students were working on a meteorology project using large scale thermometers.

I spoke with student Courtney Black, one of Ms. Roberts' students, who had recently received her academic "Drivers License." Graham has developed an incredible recognition program to help students learn math. Students must complete 100 addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems-each in 5 minutes. Students in 2nd grade who master each level receive special buttons to wear, and students in 3rd-5th grade get a "Drivers License," complete with school colors!

Teacher of the Year Griselda Nunez

I really enjoyed meeting Graham's Teacher of the Year Griselda Nuñez, a veteran teacher who has taught in Austin for 13 years. Her third grade bilingual class was working on multiplication concepts and fact families. I was so impressed that these third graders were actually learning these concepts earlier than I did back in the day. Can you believe that I learned these same skills when I was in 6th grade!

5th grade Math Teacher Elva Cantu

Our last stop was in Elva Cantu's fifth grade math class. The students were reviewing conversions of math measurements.

I had a fantastic time, but it's now time to leave the community of Graham Scotties. Thank you for your hard work. You are true learning superstars!