THE CHANDLER & BROWNSBORO STATESMAN
PAGE 12 • THURSDAY • MARCH 8, 2012
Chandler Elementary School
Q&A with CES teachers Kim Birdwell and Mary Alice Cade What has been the biggest change? BIRDWELL: They have so much access to technology at home and outside of school that I have to be more creative with my lessons to keep them engaged and excited about learning.
What is your fondest memory? BIRDWELL: I have so many memories that it is hard to narrow it down to one. I enjoy getting to see my ex-students after they graduate and become adults. It means a lot to me when I get to attend their graduations, weddings, baby showers, etc. It is very rewarding to see how they have grown up and become wonderful adults. I have had several students that became teachers and it is extremely rewarding to feel that I might have had a part in their career choice. . CADE: My fondest memory is not only teaching first grade for 21 years in the same room at Chandler Elementary, but all the students, parents, grandparents and families that have passed through my doors! Especially during the time of
the President’s Program. This program began with Rosie Bussman, Dorothy McHam and myself teaching first grade for the first time. We wanted a program that was “Patriotic,” depicting each President, First Lady, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta King, George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens, Betsy Ross, Uncle Sam, The Statue of Liberty, plus several others. They each were dressed according to the time period they represented. These first graders “learned and recited” a speech about their leaders. Everyone learned the President’s Oath of Office, the Preamble to the Constitution, named all 50 States and Capitals by singing them! Later, they wore tuxedos and long dresses. Northern Cable would come out and film our program every year. Students were so AWESOME! Jesse Owens, an Olympic Gold Medalist winner, was portrayed as A.J. (Aaron) Ross. He is a defensive player for the New York Giants Super Bowl of 2012. Even today students remind us of not only who they were, but can recite their speeches! Just ask one of them if you them! All of my students are special and will always carry a place in my heart.
Why stay with the same district? BIRDWELL: I have stayed at Brownsboro ISD (28 years) because I enjoy working for a smaller district and because of the friends I have made and relationships I have built with the people at Chandler Elementary and throughout the district. In a small town you get to know the families of the students you teach and develop lifelong friendships. This is my home and I feel a responsibility to do my part as a teacher to make our campus and district the best it can be. CADE: (31 years) This is my family. There are bonds for me in Brownsboro, Murchison and Chandler. I was born and raised in Chandler and graduated from Brownsboro. My father’s family helped build Chandler, and my Mother’s family was from Brownsboro and Murchison where my Grandfather was a country Doctor. He was “Dr. Horton,” from early1900’s through 1940’s, delivering so many people and caring for them in the past. He was on one of the first School Boards of Brownsboro. Now, aside from living here all my life and graduating in Brownsboro, I truly feel a deep love for our children and district.
BALEY • FROM 11 sub. I applied for the job and they hired me,” she said. Baley, a Stephen F. Austin graduate, taught second grade the first year as a sub before being hired as the school’s second third grade teacher. She has been teaching third grade for the last 38 years and has no plans to stop. “I love this age. They are not too old to still love their teacher,” she said with a smile. “When the students first come to you they are pretty independent and I am able to give instructions and they follow them. Even though we have had to do the TAKS test over the years, I like it. It is a fun age, plus I like the curriculum we teach.”
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During her tenure with the district Baley has seen a lot of changes. She said she is very excited about the plans Superintendent Chris Moran has for the district and is even more excited about the changes at CES. “We are so excited about the new school. I am not actually going to have a room there, but I am going to be moving to another room down in the newer part on the end. I have been here through almost all of the changes,” she said. “The cafeteria that we have now was just added right before I came to the school. The only part of the school that we had was the rooms from the office back. Then they added an entire back section and
the section I am currently in. We had an old rock gym and they changed it to the one we have now. I have seen all of that happening and it has really been a lot of fun. I am excited about this change the most because we have had an architect come in and ask what we wanted and teachers got to give input.” The changes in the facilities have been fun, but another big change Baley has seen is in the students themselves. “A lot of the change has been in the behavior. It is not like it was back at the first of my career. I think the media, and what the kids see, plays a big role in that. They see it in their movies, cartoons and other things they see on T.V. and
I think that is a big change for me,” she said. Her experience has taught her how to flow with the change in behavior with an old fashion method – love. “We were talking in a faculty meeting and the
biggest thing that teachers need to do these days is develop a relationship. That’s what I try to do. I try to have a good relationship with them. I want them to love me so if I feel like they love, or like me, they will work for me,” she
said With teachers like Baley – teachers who care for their student above the grades they make – Brownsboro ISD is in a good position to be an academic leader for years to come.
We appreciate all the hard work you do with our kids. CHANDLER FEED & SEED 903-849-6881
3/2/2012 1:25:32 PM