It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the latest members to join our Warrior Family:

Our new ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL:
Avesgus Tetterton attended high school in Washington, North Carolina where he excelled as a scholar and athlete in basketball. He earned a full basketball scholarship to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he later received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with honors. He earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Texas Woman’s University. Mr. Tetterton holds a Standard Principal (Grades EC-12) certificate.

Mr. Tetterton is an instructional leader who brings experience from a multitude of environments, having taught in North Carolina, Alabama, and Texas. This varied exposure has expanded his instructional knowledge base and familiarity with different leadership styles. Over the past eight years, he has taught all essential subject areas in third and fourth grade, fifth grade reading, math, and science, sixth grade history and science, and seventh grade history. Mr. Tetterton holds a Standard Generalist (Grades 4-8) certificate.

Mr. Tetterton has a passion for assisting and motivating underprivileged and at-risk children. He easily develops rapport with the most challenging children and he prides himself on inspiring and motivating at-risk children. He has a firm and fair approach to disciplining children that is extremely effective. Mr. Tetterton developed and successfully implemented a character-based mentoring program for at-risk boys at his previous Middle School. He is looking forward to further developing the program.

As an administrator he hopes to inspire teachers. Through diligence, honor, and enthusiasm, his goal is to excite both teachers and students, whom he has the privilege to lead. He enthusiastically considers himself a life-long learner. As an educational leader, he aspires to encourage teachers to adopt a similar philosophy toward the goal of inspiring children to develop and maintain a thirst for knowledge. Mr. Tetterton is truly honored by the opportunity to serve as Assistant Principal at Watauga Middle School. Below, he is pictured with his infant daughter, Imani.

Our new part-time CHOIR Director:
Mary Helen Atkins taught in Birdville 16 years. She has been the head choir director at Smithfield Junior High, started the choir program at North Ridge Middle, the head choir director at Richland Middle and, most recently, the director at Haltom Middle. She has taught choir classes at every middle school in BISD! (Her claim to fame, though, is that she taught our beloved principal for one semester!)

She is currently the pianist at First Baptist Church, Hurst; formerly the pianist at First Baptist, Duncanville, and First Baptist, Euless.

Mary Helen’s hobbies include:
* community theater….musical director/pianist, actor
* studying American space program…….observed shuttle launches, researched and talked
with Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle astronauts, participated in adult space camp
and aviation programs, taught rocketry and space classes in “College for Kids” at
TCJC

She has one daughter, Amy, who is a voice teacher in BISD, actress, and dancer/choreographer.
She is also the loving keeper of two cats – Zorro and Ophelia.
WMS is excited to have Mary Helen join our fabulous crew!

Our new BAND DIRECTOR:
Greg McCutcheon is the previous Director of Bands at Waller Junior High School in Waller, Texas. Mr. McCutcheon graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Mr. McCutcheon began teaching in Waller ISD in the summer of 2005 and became the Director of bands for WJH in 2007. He previously taught in the Pasadena ISD. He was responsible for most aspects of the woodwind sections in the WISD band program. While teaching in Waller, ensembles under his direction/assistance earned numerous “Superior” ratings in the state of Texas.

Mr. McCutcheon has worked with several Western Pennsylvania bands, indoor colorguards and indoor percussion ensembles. He was a marching member of the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps and the 2002 DCI World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Delta Omicron. WMS is truly honored to be Mr. McCutcheon’s new home!

Our new MATH TEACHER/COACH:
Michael Franco is a recent graduate from the University of Texas El Paso. He recently received his Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Math/Science 4-8. He graduated from Clint High School in 2002, while never missing a day of school in his thirteen years of public education. He was very active in sports growing up and participated in football and basketball in high school. He has coached in youth sports for the past few summers. His favorite subject in school is Mathematics. He looks forward to implementing his knowledge of sports and academics with the Watauga Warriors.

Keep your chin up.  Who quits in the 4th quarter?  (Don’t answer that. I’m well aware of the bitterness many of you feel about the Mavs, the Cowboys, the Stars, the Brahmas etc– I ran out of teams I can remember )

Anyhoo- these last few weeks and your attitude will impact your students in ways you can’t imagine. You probably can imagine— so I actually beg you NOT to forget.  These children are between 11-15 years old.  They are kids.  Watch how you act around them and how they respond.  They’ll do what you wish if you ask with love.

It is Wednesday (the middle day in the week), a day of reflection: What did I accomplish in these last 48 hours?
What direction will I take today?
What will happen in the next 72 hours of this week?
Will this week wind up as one to remember or forget?

For me, this week is exciting! We are at what used to be the end of the semester. NOW- it is just the week before the Holiday Break. Now, it is students pumped with adrenaline at the thought of free time and presents. It is teachers pumped with “cast off kid energy that consumes the day” ready for their time to rejuvenate. It is a staff full from SNACK DAYS. It is F-U-N.

I dedicate this song to this week:

For those of you who feel like you have a turkey on your head right now– know that I am here for you!

To these two readers: this song… this dress and hairdo is for you both!  Click on the “You” below…

You

Take that.

Now, for all you innocent victims who watched because you just did just because.  HEEEE HEEEE!  Let the song be in your head.  It’s in mine.  You’ll hear me humming it in the halls…

PS- To my two readers: do not confuse yourselves with the “MAN”.  This just makes me smile and laugh.

For those of you that haven’t heard me singing around the building– I guess it’s just gonna be one of those years! (At least this time it wasn’t a song I made up to the tune of “Fara Jaca”.)

The actual point of this post is to congratulate the best faculty in the UNIVERSE on a great start to what will prove to be the year of the WARRIOR!!!

Thank you to everyone who has made it happen:

Angel Cox for the chips and hot sauce on the first day! Way to go Hotties…

Donna Wyckoff for ALWAYS stopping what she does to fix everyone’s issues!

Linda Houston and Margaret Willoughby for taking part of the load off of the 6th grade teachers and picking up a Science and Math class.

Kathy Anderton for helping her Science cohort get ready for the first week of school.

Jennifer Norsworthy for running all those copies for everyone and for always helping out where we need her!

Chris Urquhart for scheduling and scheduling and more scheduling.

My soon to be interns: Joe Ward, Todd Tolbert, Van Ratsaphangthong, Travis Kidd and Deborah Crook for their patience when they have a “deadline” and I’m busy or distracted.

Carole Dyska for helping us in a time of crisis, remaining patient and always taking on the challenge!

Claudia Wilson for keeping me sharp and allowing me to help, offering advice and taking in the “outcast”.

Joe Ward and Tracy McCrary for handling the construction matters.

All the coaches for remaining calm and professional in athletic area crisis.

Gina Bergman and Deanna Boyd for being the 1st to call ALL their parents.

All of you for taking on the challenge of positive parent contact the first week of school.

Heather Blum and Elizabeth Cumbie for volunteering STUCO to do the “hat drive for Cancer”.

Michaela Gair for tackling the school supplies with such diligence and patience!

Zach Webb for handling books and keys and please please please with ease.

Thalia Ross (a.k.a. TaNayNay) for jumping in and helping in with all the registration paperwork and office mayhem.

Kathy Cushing for holding this ship afloat and getting everything we need and use to make it happen.

Karen Allen, Angelique Robison, Stephanie Roe and Eric Townsend for ignoring the noise outside and trekking on.

Christina Hunt for her ever after presence in every place we have!!

Travis Kidd and Karen Allen for helping the “newbies”. AND everyone else who helps those new to the building.

Kathy Sanderson for staying positive and keeping her chin up when the fire marshall took away her livelihood.

J Zamora, Ryan Cantrell, Wesley Poston and Michael Miller for not crying or quiting. Way to SMILE SMILE SMILE as you embark on a new profession.

Amy Allibon, Don Zolidis and Donna Herndon for joining our family with ease and jumping right in to the Warrior Way.

Diane Kissel and Kay Pratt for taking care of all the special education paperwork.

Lynn Breitinger for heading up the PTA drive, adding humor to awkward and funny situations.

Laurie Engelby for spilling the beans… She knows!

Thank you for all the sound advice you give, Susan Youngblood. You are a master!

Vanessa Seale, thanks for keeping things running smooth in girl’s athletics. I’m proud of your reputation and the program you run!

Cathy Blum and Ginger Huff for being our armored front and taking care of all that goes and some that doesn’t.

Gail Bailey for the outstanding job on Tracy and Deb’s vow renewal.

Diane Cowell for the cookies to make the first day of school “chipper”.

Suzanne Foxworth for “STAYIN’ Tough!”

For always getting the presentation station “raring” to go, Melanie Robertson.

Congratulations, Julie Pollard, on being the first female teacher to be selected to join the Teacher at Sea Integrated Ocean Drilling Program.

For trying to help me avoid all the “itis’” I have, Heather Blum. Thanks for the tea!

To Amy Gallegos for writing me a fabulous recommendation on things I can do to help our new teachers be successful.

Teresa Hughes, thanks for always having “the hook-up!” We’d be hot without ya. Not smokin’, just meltin’!

Tenille Miles, thanks for your wisdom with the asperger/autistic kiddoes.

Robin Kidd, thanks for dealing with the constant interruptions in a professional manner and for always getting right on top of ARDs and all else to serve the children of WMS quickly and proficiently.

Thank you for making Gifted and Talented fun for the teachers, Cyndi Nyvall. Also for bringing style, fashion and glamour to us!

Inita Steele, you rock at making Art fun and exciting. Thanks for offering all the time you do! I am so excited to see how the club goes.

Arlene, Arlene, Arlene Stotts: it may be hard and the road may be new and bumpy, but you are doing a FABULOUS job, dahling, at turning our transition program into something new.

What wonderful shirts we have on order. Thanks so much for your innovation and drive on this year’s shirts! YEA, Sherri Taylor!

Samantha Perry, thanks for making sure our students and faculty are healthy and prepared for all “emergencies” that may arise.

Mary Hatley, thank you for always having great advice and for not spanking me when I don’t always take it . Thanks for helping make inclusion a success. You and Arlene are troopers!

Thanks for always making me smile and for telling funny jokes (or making them inadvertently, on purpose) Brian Farquhar. You are so funny!

Aja Kash, thanks for joining the WMS staff and for introducing us to new things. You bring a wealth of knowledge.

Thank you for always being upbeat and cheery and for working so hard, Katie Zeier. Also, thanks for always including my kids in things you do!

Cori McCauley, thanks for keeping it real. You crack me up! Keep up the posting… Practice makes perfect!

You are such a welcome addition and I’m glad to have you back! Kim Birkner, hope we don’t make ya crazy!

Karla Pogue, your help with the bathroom is much appreciated. Thanks for always sending me a message when I need it most!

Big Robert, you are the best! Thanks for helping me decorate!

Chris Mafana, thank you for all you do with our special kids. You are kind. caring and compassionate.

So if I forgot anyone who has helped make this a great start… I apologize. We make a great team!!!

GO WARRIORS!!!

What made your week GREAT?

FIRST – Click on the above Welcome Back for a little musical treat!  You’ll have to click the “back” button to return to this page after you listen…

It is almost time for everyone to return to work! I’ve been back on duty for over three weeks and the rest of the office staff (minus Ginger and Sam) joined me last week. Ironically, none of us were ever there on the same day all together! Meetings, meetings and then more meetings tossed in with a few lunches!

Anyway, before everyone comes back (meaning the teachers and educational assistants), I would like to officially welcome you back and extend an extra special welcome to the newbies of the Warrior Way:

• Ryan Cantrell joins us from corporate America. He will be teaching 6th grade Social Studies, 6th grade Study Skills and 7th/8th grade PE. Ryan is Scott and Cheryl Eager’s nephew.
  
• Donna Herndon joins us from Watauga Elementary. STOLEN! Yea WMS!!! She will be teaching Read 180, 7th grade Math Enrichment and 6th grade ESL.
• Michael Miller joins us from the land of great food and drink. (I’ll let him tell you where as I don’t want y’all stalking him his last week on the job…) He will be teaching 6th grade Math.
• J Zamora joins us from the WMS ISS room. Permanently released! Woo-hoo. He will be teaching 8th grade Math. J is Kathy Sanderson’s son-in-law.
• Don Zolidis joins us from Haltom High School. He will be teaching Theater Arts. He will also be at North Oaks. Don is an acclaimed play writer. We are fortunate to have him! WMS is guaranteed to have a first rate Theater department!

So, this year proves to be fantastic! SO much to do and SO little time. This is how I’m feeling:

EXCITED (listen)

The air is on in the building this week. Feel free to come up and get a head start on your room!

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They are there to stop the OTHER people!” — from The Last Lecture

Best known for his “The Last Lecture” speech, Randy Pausch has died at age 47. The reason I write this is because if you haven’t seen the lecture, you are missing something so spectacular. You all know that I am emotional and passionate. This man is amazing. One day I hope to have his strength.

Oddly, a few weeks ago, Gair offered me his book.

As I have read his lecture, watched his lecture many times and been to his site: I declined. However, yesterday- I asked her for the book to let my mother read it on a trip she will be going on soon. Gair gave me the book. I stood in the kitchen last night, reading the last chapter crying. Pooky came in and asked me what was wrong. My response was, “This book, this man. He’s dying”. Then a little while ago, I checked my e-mail and Cantrell had sent me an e-mail with some questions about school. He ended with, “Also, didn’t know you’ve ever heard of “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch, but it’s pretty inspirational. He became kind of a celebrity after his speech and book. He died this morning at the age of 47…. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121699381188384657.htm

That is the article about him dying. His lecture is linked to it. Watch the lecture.

Thanks, Cantrell. Eerie chain of events for me…!!!

Well, Tracy, Big Robert, Terry and Naomi are here and they come check on me occasionally. However, y’all know what I mean.

I am getting quite a bit accomplished. Who knew taking care of SSI stuff could be so rewarding? Also, I have ALMOST gotten my office organized. I have one set of my new curtains hung. OK- Big Robert has one set hung. He’s waiting on me to finish the other set. Wait until you guys see my office! I am sure you are on pins and needles. I’d describe it, but I’d rather you agonize over the thought of what I have done. Alright– what Big Robert has done. BUT– I am the “designer”!

Tonight I will post another Marzano question. The laptop with all my “stuff” is at home.

Here’s a book you all need to read if you are a leader, consider yourself a leader of something (church, children, etc) or would like to be a leader. OR– if you just like to read, just like to read what I suggest, or are into literature. Take a look and you’ll understand. It ROCKS!!

The book is Questions of Character by Joseph L. Badaracco Jr. I promise: you won’t be disappointed!

NOT. Sorry, Gina. Perhaps when school starts we can form a “club” and make a commitment to go workout, like two to three times a week. I know it will help. The “doctor” tells me so. And Gair. And everyone.

There’s my “don’t”s.

Now for the “do”s. I’ve been hoping to impress one of my favorite teachers on our campus (The one who owns a tie skirt. There’s some trivia for any “newbies” who actually are reading the blog this summer. One of the WMS teachers owns and wears an entire skirt made out of ties. Watch out, ladies. Cantrell is gonna be looking for the “tie” skirt.) Anyway, she knows who she is. I covet the skirt and she laughs.

This “do” is on the quilting line of my life. The sewing obsession. Stop laughing. Y’all know I didn’t plan to get soooo hung up on this. Anderton is probably rolling on the floor holding her side. Last she knew I was gonna spend my summer on Ebay in search of bows for Kate. Heather is rolling her eyes and Karla is “geeshing” me. Lynn, Cowell, Gail– where’s the love?

On with it: if you want me to be smiling— help me. Crook, I can’t wrap my brain around how to make a purse. I want to make a skirt. (See how I digressed… That was my point up there when I started talking about the “tie” skirt.) Who out there can help me? Or counsel me? Or pay for my counselor? Dr. Waddell is never gonna give me another summer vacation.

What did you “do” or “not do” this summer? Please don’t let me be the only weirdo…