JacksonFirstGrade

First Grade Team

Standing: Stella Landers, Alisha Balak, Annette Renaud
Seated: Griselda Ruvalcaba, Lynn Varnau, Tara Healy

Teacher Bios

Lynn Varnau
Team Leader
469-752-2141
Lynn.Varnau@pisd.edu

I am married to my childhood sweetheart, and we have two wonderful daughters. Sarah is 13 and attends Wilson Middle School. She loves volleyball and choir. Caroline will be 12 this October and also attends Wilson. Caroline loves anything that has to do with animals, volleyball, or basketball. Some of my time after school is spent playing with our two dogs, baking (especially brownies and cookies), and driving Sarah and Caroline to and from practices. I love spending time with my family and friends.

I have been involved in the Plano school system for over 35 years. My parents moved to a home in Richardson in 1971. I attended Aldridge, Wilson, Vines, and Plano Senior High. I received my Bachelor's Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and my Master's degree from North Texas. I have been teaching 23 years although it doesn't seem nearly that long. I have been a reading specialist and have taught PPCD (the preschool program for children with disabilities) and Kindergarten, prior to teaching First Grade. Although this is my first year at Jackson, I feel right at home!

Alisha Balak
469-752-2147
Alisha.Balak@pisd.edu

I am a native Texan who was born in Dallas and grew up in Richardson. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. After graduation, I traveled the country for seven months on a marketing tour where I met my husband Chris. When I returned home, I returned to school and earned my teaching certificate. I made this decision because I spent most of my life around children. My mother ran a daycare for 30 years which formed my love for being with children. I knew my calling was to be a teacher!

Recently, Chris and I just welcomed Carter, our precious baby boy, into the world. We also share our home with Dakota, a white German Shepherd. During my spare time, I enjoy scrapbooking, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. As I begin my fifth year at Jackson, I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this wonderful school.

Tara Healy
469-752-2145
Tara.Healy@pisd.edu

As a Jackson Jaguar Alum, I couldn't be more honored to be part of the Jackson staff. I grew up here in Plano and graduated from Plano Senior High School. I furthered my education at Texas Tech University with a degree in Elementary Education. Through high school and college, I worked in childcare as a nanny and pre-school teacher. Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember. My goal as your child's teacher is to touch the lives of my students and to open their eyes to a world full of discovery!

Annette Renaud
469-752-2142
Annette.Renaud@pisd.edu

I grew up in Iowa on a farm and lived there all my life until moving to Texas four years ago. This is my fourth year as a Jackson Jaguar. I enjoy spending time with my husband, our dog Shelby, and spoiling our eight nieces and nephews. I am looking forward to another great year in first grade!

Stella Landers,
Bilingual Teacher
469-752-2143
Stella.Landers@pisd.edu

I graduated from The Andes University in Bogota, Colombia, SouthAmerica with a B.A. in Modern Languages. This is my 5th year in education, and my third year at Jackson as a 1st grade bilingual teacher. I am married and have two daughters--Sydney (9 years old) in 4th grade bilingual and Samantha (6 years old) in 1st grade bilingual.

I enjoy traveling with my family to new places, sight-seeing, and getting to know the people and their culture. I enjoy watching movies, especially documentaries, and relaxing at home with my family. I am very happy to be teaching 1st grade bilingual because I enjoy seeing the academic, social, and emotional growth of the kids and their families during the year.

Griselda Ruvalcaba,
Bilingual Teacher
469-752-2140
Griselda.Ruvalcaba@pisd.edu

Home

Lynn Varnau Team Leader 469-752-2141 Lynn.Varnau@pisd.edu	I am married to my childhood sweetheart, and we have two wonderful daughters. Sarah is 13 and attends Wilson Middle School. She loves volleyball and choir. Caroline will be 12 this October and also attends Wilson. Caroline loves anything that has to do with animals, volleyball, or basketball. Some of my time after school is spent playing with our two dogs, baking (especially brownies and cookies), and driving Sarah and Caroline to and from practices. I love spending time with my family and friends. I have been involved in the Plano school system for over 35 years. My parents moved to a home in Richardson in 1971. I attended Aldridge, Wilson, Vines, and Plano Senior High. I received my Bachelor's Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and my Master's degree from North Texas. I have been teaching 23 years although it doesn't seem nearly that long. I have been a reading specialist and have taught PPCD (the preschool program for children with disabilities) and Kindergarten, prior to teaching First Grade. Although this is my first year at Jackson, I feel right at home!
Alisha Balak 469-752-2147 Alisha.Balak@pisd.edu	I am a native Texan who was born in Dallas and grew up in Richardson. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. After graduation, I traveled the country for seven months on a marketing tour where I met my husband Chris. When I returned home, I returned to school and earned my teaching certificate. I made this decision because I spent most of my life around children. My mother ran a daycare for 30 years which formed my love for being with children. I knew my calling was to be a teacher! Recently, Chris and I just welcomed Carter, our precious baby boy, into the world. We also share our home with Dakota, a white German Shepherd. During my spare time, I enjoy scrapbooking, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. As I begin my fifth year at Jackson, I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this wonderful school.
Tara Healy 469-752-2145 Tara.Healy@pisd.edu	As a Jackson Jaguar Alum, I couldn't be more honored to be part of the Jackson staff. I grew up here in Plano and graduated from Plano Senior High School. I furthered my education at Texas Tech University with a degree in Elementary Education. Through high school and college, I worked in childcare as a nanny and pre-school teacher. Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember. My goal as your child's teacher is to touch the lives of my students and to open their eyes to a world full of discovery!
Annette Renaud 469-752-2142 Annette.Renaud@pisd.edu	I grew up in Iowa on a farm and lived there all my life until moving to Texas four years ago. This is my fourth year as a Jackson Jaguar. I enjoy spending time with my husband, our dog Shelby, and spoiling our eight nieces and nephews. I am looking forward to another great year in first grade!
Stella Landers, Bilingual Teacher 469-752-2143 Stella.Landers@pisd.edu	I graduated from The Andes University in Bogota, Colombia, SouthAmerica with a B.A. in Modern Languages. This is my 5th year in education, and my third year at Jackson as a 1st grade bilingual teacher. I am married and have two daughters--Sydney (9 years old) in 4th grade bilingual and Samantha (6 years old) in 1st grade bilingual. I enjoy traveling with my family to new places, sight-seeing, and getting to know the people and their culture. I enjoy watching movies, especially documentaries, and relaxing at home with my family. I am very happy to be teaching 1st grade bilingual because I enjoy seeing the academic, social, and emotional growth of the kids and their families during the year.
Griselda Ruvalcaba, Bilingual Teacher 469-752-2140 Griselda.Ruvalcaba@pisd.edu