Support
|
| ESL |
 |
Erica
Stewart |
Telephone:
469-752-0371 |
Email: Erica.Stewart@pisd.edu
|
| My name is Erica Stewart and I am very excited about starting my fifth year at Bethany Elementary! I graduated from the University of Texas-Dallas with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, I obtained a Master's degree in Special Education with a certification as an Educational Diagnostician from the University of North Texas. I live in McKinney, Texas with my son. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my son playing tennis, kayaking, bowling and playing miniature golf. When I was in the sixth grade, I had the opportunity to help ESL students learn English on the playground at recess. That experience influenced my decision to become an ESL teacher. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with Bethany students and families and look forward to the exciting experiences in store for this year! |
The ESL Program The goal of the Bethany English for Speakers of Other Languages Program (ESL) is to teach the students English so that they will be academically successful in all classes. The ESL program is an intensive program designed to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the English language. All instruction is in English. The curriculum for the ESL class follows the essential elements recommended by the state. The curriculum and materials including state adopted systems, technology, and enrichment materials are designed to help limited English proficient students learn English. The student's home culture is appreciated, and the culture of the United States is explained. The classroom teacher consults with the ESL teacher in order to provide comprehensible lessons in the content subject classes. Click here for more information about Plano ISD's ESL program |
| Library |
 |
Kim Murff |
Telephone:
469-752-0327 |
|
Email: Kim.Murff@pisd.edu |
| I am married
to a teacher and have two almost-adult children, as well as a dog.
I graduated from Texas A&M University and taught seventh, eighth,
fifth, fourth, and third grades over a period of sixteen years.
I earned my Master’s Degree in Education from UNT in 1993
and eight years ago, I got my library certification and became a
librarian. I have been teaching at Bethany since the second year
it was open. I love reading children’s literature and enjoy
finding the “perfect book” for children and teachers.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends outside of school,
but of course, I love to curl up with a good book as often as possible. A favorite quote: “Happiness adds and multiplies as we divide it with others.” - Author unknown |
Library Media Centers Library media centers are an integral part of every school campus. From Early Childhood through grade 12, the library media specialist provides materials and resources in a variety of formats for curriculum enhancement, instructional support and personal reading enjoyment. The library media specialist instructs and assists students in developing skills in the access and use of information. The library staff provides and maintains audio/visual equipment and coordinates the use of instructional television within each building. A variety of electronic databases, other on-line resources and streaming video content are available at all levels and many are accessible from home. Passwords for these resources may be obtained from the campus librarian. |
| Literacy |
 |
Kathy
Carrico |
Telephone:
469-752-0375 |
Email: Kathy.Carrico@pisd.edu
|
I love to read. Give me a few free moments and you will find my head in a book. I love the journey that my imagination takes and the feeling that, just for a short time, I am somewhere else than where I am. Bringing this world to children by helping them learn to read is a rewarding and exciting experience. That is why one of my favorite quotes is “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” (William Butler Yeats) I became a reading teacher after trying to teach English to a group of eighth grade students who could not fill out an information card about themselves because they could not read. To these students reading was a scary and frustrating struggle, and the doors to their future were slamming shut in their faces. It consumed my heart so I went back to school, received my masters in reading, and became a reading specialist. I have not regretted it for a second. The joy of seeing the light
shine in a child’s face when he looks up at me and says
“I can read” is beyond any words that I can write...so
just experience it...read a good book with your kids. |
| The Literacy Program |
| The role of the
Literacy Specialist is a unique and challenging adventure. I have
the privilege to support both our wonderful students and our dedicated
teachers. One of my primary purposes is to support the classroom teacher
to ensure that all students receive effective reading instruction
in the classroom. This is achieved by modeling demonstration lessons
in all areas of Language Arts and initiating conferences or professional
development programs with teachers concerning successful, effective
strategies for classroom instruction.
I am also fortunate enough
to work with students to provide them with extra support in reading,
composition, handwriting and spelling. For our students who are
dyslexic, I facilitate and implement a multisensory, specialized
program called Herman to help them become confident readers and
advocates for their own needs in their learning. What a great opportunity
I have to encourage literacy with our staff, students, and families
of our Bethany community. |
| PACE |
 |
|||||
Christi
Pavlasek |
|||||
Telephone:
469-752-0352 |
|||||
|
Email: Christi.Pavlasek@pisd.edu |
|||||
| Hello. My
name is Christi Pavlasek. I graduated from Southwest Texas State
University, now called Texas State University. I have a Bachelor’s
Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education.
I also hold my Gifted Endorsement from the University of North Texas.
I taught first through fourth grade resource in Corpus Christi.
This is my 18th year to teach. I have taught at Wells Elementary,
Barksdale Elementary, and now Bethany Elementary. I am ecstatic
to be at Bethany as the Pace Teacher. Teaching children is the greatest
joy! When my students learn new concepts and feel success, I feel
success! The Pace Program Who is served by PACE? PACE identifies and serves students who demonstrate giftedness in general intellectual ability. Identification of students is conducted not to label students but to determine which students require program alterations because of their unique educational needs. Gifted and talented students possess a combination of abilities enabling them to demonstrate high achievement and/or potential in general intellectual ability. Typically, gifted students differ from their age- peers in three important ways. First, they absorb information at a faster rate and process it very efficiently. Second, they are often able to comprehend information with greater depth than their classmates, showing surprising insight and understanding. Third, they often have interests that are more typical of older children or even adults. These three learning differences are frequently enhanced by other complementary characteristics: independence, persistence, nonconformity, and motivation.
Parents, teachers, professional school staff, and students may refer those who exhibit gifted characteristics. When making a nomination, the referring person should carefully consider the referral so that the student is not set up for disappointment. Persons making nominations must complete the Referral Form and submit it to the building’s gifted specialist. How is a student selected for services? Students are identified by both quantitative and qualitative measures. Selection decisions are based on multiple criteria: parent survey, teacher rating scale, aptitude tests, achievement test scores, and a student product. How are the tests administered? All students who are referred for PACE must follow the screening/selection procedures which include additional testing. Referred students in grades 1-8 are assessed at the home school at either the fall or the spring testing session. Kindergarten students are assessed during the spring semester. Parents are notified of testing results. When and how is the decision about placement made? After all data has been gathered, a building selection committee reviews the student profile sheet containing information from the screening/selection procedures and makes a recommendation. A letter is sent to the parents notifying them of the committee’s decision. How would my child be served in the PACE program? In the elementary school, kindergarten
services begin the first week of March. The PACE pull-out time is
now two hours/week for grades 1,2, and 3.....and 3 hours/week for
grades 4 and 5. Whom do I contact if I have further questions? You may contact the gifted
specialist at your child’s school. At Bethany Elementary the
Gifted Specialist is Christi Pavlasek.
|
Please
send comments or suggestions to Mona
Lisee
Updated February 2008