I’m ready!  Are you?

We have some EXCITING new additions to our Warrior Family: 🙂

Mrs. Belinda Nisbett (7th grade Math)

Belinda was born and raised in a little town in Texas called Lake Jackson. It is about an hour from Houston, and 15 miles from the “beautiful” Gulf Coast. She graduated from Abilene Christian University in May of 2010 with a degree in 4-8 grade mathematics. She originally was an elementary school major but switched when she decided that she wanted a bit of a challenge. This age level is so wonderful because they are still so “moldable” and she hope’s that she can help her students see the beauty in mathematics that she does. Belinda was recently married on June 19th 2010 to Matt Nisbett, so she is officially a Nisbett now. They have a one year old miniature dachshund, Bella, who is their only child at the moment. Her hobbies are singing and dancing; she was on the drill team and in varsity choir all through high school. Belinda is super excited to start her first job and put all of the tools to work that she has been learning about for the past four years. She cannot wait to meet the rest of the Warriors and begin her teaching career.

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Mr. Tim Parnell (7th grade Math)

Tim graduated Midland Senior High School in May of 2000.  There he played soccer as a goal keeper and enjoyed singing in choir.  He earned his Bachelors of Arts in Communications at Austin College in Sherman, Texas in 2004.  He proclaims that the greatest thing to come out of his education at Austin College is his wife Alison.  Before becoming a teacher, Tim has embarked on an adventurous life of learning and business development.  He holds a certificate as a Harley-Davidson Technician from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute with which he developed a business transporting luxury motorcycles.  He also holds a certificate of completion from Collin County Community College Fire Academy and EMT school.  Lastly after successful completion of a real estate investor’s academy he and his wife enjoy ethical real estate prospecting.  He is now attending ECAP and is teaching on a Standard Generalist (grades 4-8) certificate.

Tim’s favorite past times are cooking and boating, both of which are made sweeter by doing it for and with people he loves.  He believes the best meals are cooked with love and the best boating is… well… because you’re boating.  One of Tim’s life long searches has been to fulfill his need and desire to mentor and develop individuals.  He is grateful for the opportunity to learn from and teach with the family of Watauga Middle School. Tim’s strengths include Empathy, WOO, Maximizer, Communication and Ideation.

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Mr. David Wilson-Brown (Theatre)

David Wilson-Brown received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  He has been a professional actor for over 10 years and is an Actor’s Equity Association candidate.  He has performed for several theatres including Madison Repertory Theatre, Act One Productions, and Contemporary Theatre of Dallas.  He can also be heard as multiple roles for several anime series with Funimation Entertainment.

He has taught theatre for three years at the undergraduate level for UW-Madison and over two years at the high school level with the University of Texas National Institute in Forensics (UTNIF).  He is looking forward to the opportunity to teach students at WMS how theatre and the arts can provide a positive impact to their education, their daily lives, and their community.

David and his lovely wife, Tonya, are expecting their first child, Vincent, in early September.

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Mr. Matt Wisch (7th grade ELA)

Matt Wisch is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches where he received his B.A. in radio and television.  While there he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, sports director at KSAU radio, and the evening news anchor for SFA TV-2.  Although he did not take the conventional route to becoming an educator, he is thrilled to have found his true calling teaching English here at Watauga Middle School.  He is a  2001 graduate of Arlington High School where he played football, sang in the varsity choir, and was a member of the Student Council.  A long time sports savant/nut, he also hopes to coach in the near future.  Currently single, he is taking a break from the dating world to work on his personal trainer’s certification….but everyone feel free to tell your friends.  He is excited for the opportunity to join the Warrior family and hopes to do his part to become a fixture here on campus.!

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Mr. Robert Douglas (Tech Ed and Gateway)

Robert Douglas will be teaching Technology Education at Watauga Middle School starting in August for the 2010-2011 school year.  He was a college football player at East Central University in Ada, OK for four years and  graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education in December of 2008.  He married his wife, Kara Douglas, in August of 2008.  During his final semester of college he taught Physical Education and coached high school football at Bowlegs, OK.  Robert then moved to Texas in 2009 and started his career working as a substitute teacher for HEB and Birdville ISD.  In August of 2009, he started teaching ISS at Watauga Middle School full time and will 
remain here as a Technology Education teacher for the 2010-2011 school year.  He enjoys intramural sports, golf and training my dog for hunting competitions as hobbies in his spare time. He is looking forward to a great year at WMS!

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Ms. Seini Mila (Choir)

Seini Mila was born and raised in the DFW metroplex. She is a graduate of Watauga MS and Haltom High School. She continued on to the University of Houston where she received her Bachelor’s in Music. She moved back to Watauga and started substituting in the Birdville ISD. She is also serving as the Music and Youth director at the First United Methodist Church of Watauga right across the street from Watauga MS. When she’s not at school or at church she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Faith is her identity, family is her life, and music is her passion. She loves traveling when she gets the chance, and she hopes to see the whole world! Seini is devoted to education and excited to be a part of the WMS family. Seini is also the author of the Watauga MS Alma Mater!

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Ms. Sugey Martinez (Educational Assistant)

Sugey was born in Mexico and came to United States at the age of 10. Sugey is the oldest of two sisters and a single parent of four children ages 14, 12, 11 and 10.  She worked for HEBISD for 10 years, at Bell High School for 6 years as an EA for Behavior Intervention and Donna Park Elementary for 4 as an EA as well.  Then she came to Birdville ISD and worked at Richland Middle School in the ESL/NEWCOMERS program for 2 years.  Sugey is currently a student at TCC taking basic classes and thenplans attend UTA or UNT.  She is working on obtaining her teaching certification.

Those of you who know me know I value the breaks we get; you also know that it irks me when people say, “I just need a break.” I have often told the story of my husband who very rarely gets a break and laughs when I come home ranting about those “who need one”.

Well– a funny thing happened to me OVER the break! (Lots of stuff actually was funny, but this is the one I want to share.) I periodically checked one of favorite blogs. With permission, this was the post:
Wednesday, December 24. 2008
THE OIL CHANGE GUY WANTS MY JOB.
I got the oil changed in my truck this morning.

Yes, as a real man I know my way around the dealership.

This is what a manly man does. He drives his vehicle across town and waits patiently in the lobby as someone fixes his truck. And just to prove that I can multi-task, I watched the Today Show as the project was being completed.

Who says all of the good ones are gone, ladies?

Something struck me as I waited. I overheard a couple of employees talking about their upcoming vacations.

At first I was a little confused as I wondered how long they were shutting down the car lot.

I felt badly because I assumed they had to close because of the economy.

Were they closing for a week? Two weeks? A month? Forever?

That wasn’t it at all.

They were simply talking about being off for the next day and a half. That’s their vacation.

And they were excited. Really excited.

They get off today, Christmas Eve, at noon. And they don’t have to return to work until 7:30 am on December 26.

A whole day and a half. Did I mention they are thrilled?

It reminded me that my dad used to be the same way. When you work 6 days a week all year long, a short vacation is valued and appreciated.

And here I am just beginning two entire weeks off, in the middle of the school year, with days that don’t even count against my regular vacation days.

Did I mention we just got back from Thanksgiving Break?

As an added bonus, we were off 3 days in a row for snow last week. Plus, on most days I am off work at 4 o’clock.

How excited would the guy who changes my oil be if he had my schedule?

And more importantly, I question my own appreciation of my schedule and career.

As an educator, I sometimes think we spend too much time wallowing in our own self pity about how hard we work, how little we get paid, and how parents don’t respect us.

Working in a school is far from perfect, but on the other hand I don’t come across a lot of people who are in a hurry to change careers.

I am 100% sure that I wouldn’t switch jobs with the guys at the dealership (mainly because I am incapable), but I am fairly certain they would like to have my job.

If they are this excited about a day and a half off, how excited would they be with my schedule?

So on this Christmas Eve please take a moment to be thankful that as educators, you have the ENTIRE day off (plus at least another week) to spend with your families.

On second thought I am counting the days until I can get back on my much needed regular schedule.
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It’s Houston again:::

This blog made me laugh!*** Wonderin’ if you’re LOVIN’ summer???

As a result of watching “How difficult can this be?” and our discussion, how will you modify instruction in your classroom for the Learning Disabled child?