Christina Shively
PINPOINTE TEACHER PROFILE
CYPRESS RANCH
HIGH SCHOOL
Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
What was your motivation to become an educator? I’ve always loved working with kids and seeing their faces light up when they understand a concept or get excited about a topic we are discussing. I also had an amazing history teacher in high school, Joan Rowland, who added to my love of history and writing. Campus/Teaching Assignment: Cypress Ranch High School: AP World History, AP European History - Department Chair Years of Experience (Same Assignment/Campus): I am entering my 23rd year of teaching (1999-2000 Brenham High School, 2000-2001 Creekview HS in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, 2001-2005 Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, 2006-Present CFISD – 3 years at Cypress Creek HS, the rest at Cypress Ranch HS). I started out as a substitute while I was in college, spending 2 years working in different districts around the Houston area.
Husband’s Name: Richard A. Shively Children’s Names/Ages: Meagan 19 • Madison 16 Education (College attended/Degree Received): B.A in History and English from Stephen F. Austin State University M.S. Educational Administration from University of Houston-Clear Lake M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in History from Sam Houston State University 4 September | October 2020
Recall one memorable teaching moment. Honestly, there are several, but the one that really stands out to me is a student who had just moved into the district after being in the United States for just over 2 years. He was still learning English, but decided to take my AP World History class. To say that he struggled is an understatement, but he kept working at it and ended up doing well in the course. What stands out about him is the history that he was taught in his home country and what we teach in the United States was quite different. This opened up a wonderful discussion in class about perspective and how different events are perceived by the participants as well as the spectators and how different governments control (or do not control) what is reported to the people. This was a major eye opener for all of the students and for me as well. This particular student continues to keep in touch with me (it has been almost 11 years since he graduated), updating me on his family and life in general.
