Highland Park ISD celebrates top teachers

by PegNews wire

HIGHLAND PARK — The Highland Park Independent School District has announced its Teachers of the Year for the 2007-08 school year:

J.E. Masters, theater technology teacher at Highland Park High School; Brandi Gruner, math teacher at Highland Park Middle School; Mat Fallon, science teacher at McCulloch Intermediate School; Marta Finlay, kindergarten teacher at Armstrong Elementary; Gretchen von Ende, resource teacher at Bradfield Elementary; Gail Miller, science lab instructor at Hyer Elementary; and Joy Rumsey, kindergarten teacher at University Park Elementary. Brandi Gruner and Marta Finlay represented the district in the Region 10 Teacher of the Year contest.

Jerry Sutterfield, HPISD Athletic Director for Women’s Sports and girls’ cross country and track and field head coach, was presented with the HP Education Foundation’s John and Eileen Howie Community Service Award. Education Foundation President Pat Bolin presented the $5,000 award, which was established through the Education Foundation by the Howie family and their friends. This is awarded annually to both a graduating senior and a teacher in HPISD for their commitment to community service.

Teachers of the Year honorees receive: free lunch all year in their school’s cafeteria and a $1,000 cash gift from the HP Education Foundation with support from La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas. For the second time this year, they will also receive the use of a Volkswagen for one month, thanks to Alan Brown, general manager of Park Cities Volkswagen.

Here are biographical sketches of each of the teachers of the year, along with the Howie Award winner:

J.E. Masters - Highland Park High School

J.E. Masters has over 30 years of teaching experience. He joined the faculty of Highland Park High School in 1991.

“If ever there were a teacher who is truly student-centered, it is J.E. Masters,” says HPHS Principal Patrick Cates. “Everything that J.E. does is motivated by what is best for students and, by extension, what is best for our school. He's not just willing to go the proverbial extra mile to make sure students get what they need and are successful but also students are always the first consideration in every decision he makes.”

J.E. is a deeply reflective teacher, continually rethinking his practice, creating new opportunities for students to be involved and connected to school, serving as a mentor and encourager to students and staff alike. In addition to his work with his students, J.E. doesn't wait until we ask for help with some school project or activity. He anticipates the needs, just gets the work done, always without an expectation of recognition. He's the best!”

Brandi Gruner – Highland Park Middle School

Brandi Gruner taught math in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD before joining HPISD in 2003.

“Brandi is a teacher who teaches every student the math skills and knowledge he or she needs in order to be successful in the future.” HPMS Principal Laurie Norton says. “However, she teaches so much more. She teaches her students that no matter how tough it gets, they can do it, and they gain great confidence due to her unending patience, persistence, and guidance. Brandi is a teacher who leaves a lasting impression with her students, many of whom come back to see her years later, either to say hello or maybe even to get some help in math!

“Her door remains open to any student, whether they are in her classes or not. As a matter of fact, the day we announced the Teacher of the Year in our faculty meeting, Brandi almost missed it because she was diligently working with students after school in her classroom. Brandi is truly one who has been called to teach. She has just the right combination of sweet spirit and tough expectations, and it shows in the successes of her students. Brandi is very deserving of this award, and we are all so proud that Brandi is our Highland Park Middle School Teacher of the Year.”

Mat Fallon – McCulloch Intermediate School

Mat Fallon taught language arts as a long-term substitute at HPHS, then became a full-time science teacher at MIS in 2005.

“Ask anyone… parent, student, teacher, and they will all tell you that Mat Fallon is a favorite among teachers,” says MIS Principal Laurie Norton. “He is the consummate professional, always treating everyone with courtesy and respect. He exudes a positive spirit and has emerged as an instructional leader, serving on the district design team and implementing innovative strategies in his classroom each and every day.

Mat designs lessons that challenge and spark students’ thinking, often integrating technology to excite and inspire students. In addition to teaching sixth-grade science, Mat also coaches middle school students. I often hear from parents what a great influence Mat is for their children, modeling stellar character and kindness, whether on the field or in the classroom. Mat is a quiet, yet shining, star in our school, leading and inspiring others through his dedication, commitment, and creativity. We are all very proud and honored that Mat represents McCulloch Intermediate School as our Teacher of the Year.”

Marta Finlay - Armstrong

Marta has taught kindergarten at Armstrong Elementary School for 29 years.

“Marta Finlay was born to teach kindergarten,” Armstrong Principal Dr. Mary Richey says. “She is patient and loving, enthusiastic and determined. No child gets past her without being totally ready for first grade. On any day she can be seen sitting in a kindergarten-size chair, working individually with children while waiting students are hugging her, patting her, and telling her the compulsory " My dog, my cat, my cousin . . . stories!" Kindergarten! You have to love it and Marta does.”

“For the entirety of her career, 29 years, Mrs. Finlay has made Armstrong home. What a fortunate group of children to have had her! Each year many of those children, now adults, return to see their teacher and share stories of family and career. Though the stories are very different now, the obvious love for their teacher is not.

Marta Finlay! You just have to love her.”

Gretchen Von Ende – Bradfield

Gretchen Von Ende has 11 years of teaching experience, the last seven in HPISD.

Gretchen is a dedicated teacher who puts her heart and soul into creating success for her resource students,” says Bradfield Principal Dr. Gloria Mc Nutt. “Gretchen has that personal touch that wins the affection of her students. She takes the success of her students personally. If a student is not reaching his or her goal, Gretchen takes responsibility and asks, "What can the team and I do better to make learning meaningful and engaging for children." She never looks for an excuse. She always goes the extra mile. While she works with children, she also collaborates with teachers. She is an outstanding teacher.”

Gail Miller – Hyer

Gail Miller began her career teaching first grade in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. She has been at Hyer Elementary for two years.

Hyer Principal Greg Smith says, “There are so many things that could be said about Gail Miller in only her second year at Hyer. She is an incredible teacher with enough energy and enthusiasm for two people. To say that she engages her students would be an understatement.

“The best illustration of her influence is an example from this school year: In April, a parent brought her child into the office around noon to check him into school. The student had been out sick the last two days, but no longer had fever and the doctor had released him to come back to school. Mom thought he should stay home one more day, but her son wanted nothing to do with that idea. He said that he wanted to be back in school by 1:00 THAT DAY. Why? Because he had science with Ms. Miller and there was no way he was going to miss it if the doctor said he could come back.”

Joy Rumsey – University Park

Joy Rumsey joined the UP Elementary staff in 2005.

“Joy is a simple word that describes this amazing teaching professional to a "T," says UP Principal Dr. Lynda Carter. “An exceptional teacher, Joy is patient and kind, funny and compassionate, and incredibly patient with her children. She spends endless hours creating and inventing lessons to make learning fun. Under her skillful guidance, our youngest children thrive. In her classroom, they blossom as readers, writers, and thinkers. One only has to enter the doors of Miss Rumsey's kindergarten to feel the magic and embark on the journey to adventures untold. In the eager eyes of the five year olds in her care, it is easy to see that there is no challenge too great, no problem too difficult, nor any "friend" in the class who will not succeed. Miss Rumsey leads by example-modeling, nudging, guiding, and always encouraging her little ones to do their personal best. The friends in Room 105 are a community of learners who would do anything to please this teacher that holds their hearts as well as those of their parents.

“A principal's dream, Joy is an asset to the UP Team. She is intellectually curious, a life-long learner, and a risk-taker in improving her work as a teacher. Her positive influence has far exceeded the realm of her classroom through her ability to share knowledge and build relationships with others. Everyone agrees she is a "joy" to work with. It is easy to see why she was chosen as UP's Teacher of the Year.”

Jerry Sutterfield – Howie Award Winner

“Jerry Sutterfield has kept his focus on the development of character in the young people he has coached, taught, and mentored for his 27 years as an educator,” said Pat Bolin, president of the HP Education Foundation.

“His impact on this community is one that reaches far beyond his current students and members of his teams.”

One of Sutterfield’s former students, Dorothy Boone Wofford, HPHS Class of 2001, says, “Coach Sutterfield has always been more than just a coach, more than just a teacher. For generations of students he has been a mentor, a friend and a role model. I was blessed to run for Coach Sutterfield for 4 years of high school and even though I graduated 6 years ago, his inspiration still affects me daily. Thanks to Coach Sutterfield, I cannot come across a major obstacle in my life without reliving and remembering the dedication and perseverance that he showed in bettering our team, each individual member at a time. There is no greater feeling than having someone like Coach stand by your side and hurt with you when you are hurting, and then celebrate with you when you celebrate an accomplishment. He demonstrated to us how dedication to each individual team member is crucial to the overall accomplishment of a team. It is incredible to think about the number of lives he has touched and the people he will continue to have an influence on; I am just so thankful to have been one of the lucky ones.”

Source: HPISD