Communication professionals share five things they are looking forward to in the 2021-22 school year. CISSA MADERO
Communications Specialist Pearland ISD
I look forward to going back to visit our schools every week. Due to challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to limit trips to our campuses, which is one of my favorite parts of my job. Being able to witness, firsthand, children learning and the staff so passionately teaching and engaging with the students is a magical experience, and, more than ever, I see it as a privilege. I can’t wait to take pictures of smiling faces! As the district photographer, I miss seeing the students’ and staff members’ smiles and facial expressions as they participate in transforming activities and events, in and out of the classroom. Yes, you can still see your subject smiling with their eyes when they grin behind a face mask. However, nothing compares to witnessing the excitement of a child when they realize what is happening in a science experiment or seeing a first-generation graduate beaming as they walk on stage to receive their diploma. I look forward to capturing that through my camera lens. I am eager to tout the incredible achievements of our students! We have just so many brilliant students doing brilliant things. I look forward to witnessing their 56
Summer 2021 | www.TSPRA.org
pride, interviewing them about their achievements and having the privilege of writing their stories. I look forward to celebrating them all as a district, showing the students that their daily dedication pays off. I also can’t wait to do the same for our teachers and staff, who walk alongside our students, helping pave the way for their success. Applying all the new things we’ve learned through adapting because of the pandemic. With so many challenges… so much gain. We had the opportunity to learn a lot, revisit the way we do things and change our plans along the way. And that has taught us a lot about our work, our priorities and ourselves. I look forward to starting a new school year in which we can be intentional about our work and implement all our newly acquired skills and knowledge. I look forward to the excitement that the new school year brings to all. I can't wait for the feeling in the air that you can almost taste the minute you walk onto campus on the first day of school — new school supplies, everyone looking their best, feeling excited and optimistic about the possibilities of what is to come. All of that with the cherry on top that is starting a new school year in which things feel as close to “normal” as they’ve been in a while.
