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Convocation aims to light a fire
Jessica Rush / Staff Photo
Teachers from the newly-constructed Lone Star High School cheer as their school is mentioned among five other schools new to Frisco ISD.
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com
Blocks of organized color in every shade filled the stadium seats at Dr Pepper Arena Thursday morning for the district-wide convocation. Teachers and staff sat together by school, pumped up through singing and cheering for this year’s achievements and the hope of continued success.
FISD Superintendent Dr. Rick Reedy broke the district down by the numbers: enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is projected to exceed 37,000; Frisco ISD is the 33rd largest district in the state but the fastest growing district percentage-wise for the last 15 years; and 60 buildings have been constructed or renovated in the last 12 years. The staggering growth combined with the district’s Exemplary rating from the state are a testament to the type of professionals hired to work with the students, Reedy said.
Board members consistently emphasized how fortunate the new teachers were to wind up in Frisco ISD. In a letter by board member Brenda Polk, she told the audience her bumper sticker should say, “I wasn’t born in a Frisco ISD zone, but I got there as soon as I could.” Board member Buddy Minett explained that in some districts more than 4,000 applicants will apply for only 200 positions, making finding work as a teacher tough.
For most of the welcome addresses, a common theme was how often teachers are asked to do more than just teach. Board President Dan Mossakowski told the educators their job is the most important job in the world. Multiple board members have children who are now seeking to become teachers themselves.
“You have shown them how to teach – how to care about kids,” board member Renee Ehmke said. “You have really helped me raise my kids, and for that, I can’t thank you enough.”
Educational consultant Dr. Joe Martin gave those in attendance something to chew on as they weighed their previous successes with the idea that even affluent districts are not immune to children who fall behind. Martin spoke about growing up in the drug-infested projects in Miami before becoming the youngest professor hired in Florida at age 24.
“I can honestly say this is the best school district I’ve ever spoken for,” Martin said, but added that “the worst thing you could do is celebrate.”
He urged the audience to not be complacent after seeing the remarkable achievements and accolades the district earned and instead to think about the children who do not demand attention either positive or negative.
“When you’re in the middle, you’re at the risk of falling through the crack,” Martin said.
Claiming to represent the other side of the educational system where he was not encouraged to go to college, Martin recognized the people who never set foot in the classroom. The cafeteria worker, secretary, or custodian nonetheless took a step outside of their job descriptions to help him along with his education. He said those people matter just as much as the teachers who gave him hope and a reason to go to school every day.
Martin told one story in particular about a middle school teacher, who he later went back and visited as an adult. Mrs. G. had no idea that at home Martin suffered sexual abuse, an alcoholic mother and the constant fear of being shot by gang members on his bus ride home from the affluent neighborhood where his school was built. It was her kindness and the thought that an extraordinary person like Mrs. G could not exist if the world was all bad that kept Martin from committing suicide.
“This isn’t a job,” Martin said. “It’s a calling.”
While the address may have ruffled some feathers in the audience, by the end, a few teachers were moved to tears by his message.
“I came from a school district like this, and you almost missed me,” Martin said. “I think we’re in the hope building business.”
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