“The secret of education lies in respecting the student.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
THE
Longview Voice Sharing the good news about LISD!
Vol. 1 No. 6 June 2016
A publication of Longview Independent School District
Complimentary Copy
Board sits new member, receives STAAR results
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Beloved teacher, administrator stepping down
ongview ISD thanked John Preston during the June 6 regular board meeting, and welcomed newlyelected Place 5 trustee Shandreka “Shan” Bauer. Board members each, in turn, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Preston’s leadership and honorable example. “In all of his interactions, whether out front in public or behind the scenes, John Preston was every bit a gentleman,” said board president Dr. Chris Mack. “Not all of us can say that, I know I can’t,” Mack joked. Preston spoke from the dais, congratulating Bauer and wishing her luck, and thanking the Longview community for entrusting him with making decisions on behalf of the public for 18 years. “We’ve had our ups and downs, successes and failures, but I am very happy with where this school district is now, and know that it will only continue to get better,” he said. LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised the six-term incumbent for his years of commitment to the students and education professionals, thanking him for his service to the Longview community. “It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Preston for over nine years,” he said. “Mr. Preston always placed the students and employees of LISD first in every consideration and decision he made during his 18-year tenure as a board member. I consider John a friend as well as a colleague and wish he and his family the best in future endeavors.” Place 6 incumbent Ted Beard was unopposed and will serve another three-year term on the board. Board members also administered the oath of office to Bauer and Beard, before reorganizing officers for the coming term. Officers for the LISD trustees will be Dr.
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ndrea Mayo has resigned as the deputy superintendent for Longview ISD, effective June 30, to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Duncanville ISD. Mayo said she is stepping down to take a position closer to her residence in the Dallas area. “It is with a heavy heart that I leave Longview ISD,” she said June 14. “It is not something I thought would ever happen, but the opportunity to be able work much closer to home — and spend more time with my family — was too good to pass up.”
See Beloved on Page 3
See Board on Page 4
Byrd, Mize named 2016 Teachers of the Year
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ngelina Byrd and Lisa Mize have been selected as Longview ISD’s 2016 elementary and secondary Teachers of the Year. Byrd teaches at Johnston-McQueen Elementary, while Mize teaches at Foster Middle. The pair will represent the district for the next year, and in June will be considered for Region VII Teacher of the Year. LISD Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo said the district is “extremely honored to recognize those named Teacher of the Year for each campus – the first step in the 2017 Texas Teacher of the Year selection process.” “It’s also significant because the selections were made by their peers,” she said. “These individuals are outstanding educators whose efforts and example have inspired their students, their colleagues, and the communities they serve.” Campus Teachers of the Year are chosen during the latter part of each school year by their principals and
Awards of Excellence honors arts, academics
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ongview ISD Administrators and Board of Trustees recognized student achievement in academicsas well as the arts May 17 during the 40th annual LHS Awards of Excellence Banquet at Pinecrest Country Club. Each presentation of medals was accompanied by a creative arts performance by Longview High School students. Receiving medals in the Academics category was the Class of 2016’s Top 2% Graduates Stephen Jayakar (valedictorian), Trevor O’Connor (salutatorian), Addison Holcomb, Benjamin Monsour, Truman Thompson, Tony Wang, Jordan Wright, and Krisana Yuen.
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Longview Voice
professional colleagues. A panel of former honorees and district staff then selects district elementary and secondary winners based on essay submissions. Byrd, Mize, and other campus Teachers of the Year will be honored by the district’s Board of Trustees in the fall.
2016 Teachers of the Year Bramlette: Emily Hill Hudson PEP: Laura Vermillion J.L. Everhart: Kori Thompson Johnston-McQueen: Angelina Byrd Ned E. Williams: Sharon Collins South Ward: Israel Vazquez Ware: Cangelya Birdsong Forest Park: John Derr Foster: Lisa Mize Judson: Mindy Holley Longview High: Nancy Coots Early Graduate High: Pamela Anthony
Junior Achievement shares civics skills with students
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tudents at various Longview ISD campuses spent Wednesday and Thursday learning how their city and communities interact with business and government. Working in partnership with Capital One, Eastman, and Joy Global, Junior Achievement of East Texas presented students with activities focused on civic planning, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, the role of government and media, as well as the difference between consumers and producers.
See Awards on Page 5
Opinion Elementary News
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MIddle School News High School News
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LISD News Sports
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