Cy Falls HS Orchestra Teacher

Cy Falls HS orchestra director Dr. John Ricarte is a veteran of his field. He has worked as an orchestra director in CFISD for nearly twenty years. He currently leads a program of approximately 180 students and five orchestras and serves as chair of the fine arts department at Cy Falls.

Ricarte has conducted two semi-professional orchestras in addition to his work in education. Recently, he launched a new project, Grace Symphony Orchestra, a professional ensemble of local musicians. With a unique vision, the group creates performances that incorporate classical music, drama, dance and art. Grace Symphony Orchestra has already put on two performances at the Berry Center.

Ricarte earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting at the University of South Carolina. More information about Ricarte and Grace Symphony Orchestra, including upcoming shows, can be found at GraceSymphony.org.

In Memory Of...

CFISD recently lost an employee. Please, join us in honoring him.

Raymond Navarro Jr.
Aug. 3, 1975 - March 11, 2015

Raymond Navarro Jr. was an English teacher at Cy Springs HS. He has worked with the district since Aug. 16, 2013.

A detailed obituary can be read online.

Stars in the Classroom

The Houston Texans and First Community Credit Union have partnered to honor exemplary Houston-area teachers through the Stars in the Classroom program. Colleen Tate, a Post ES fourth-grade teacher, was recently nominated by one of her students. During a special ceremony, Texans linebacker Brian Cushing presented Tate with an award, recognizing the positive impact she has on her students.

Quantum Learning at Hairgrove ES

CFISD uses the Quantum Learning (QL) program as an aid in student and staff development. Hairgrove ES recently demonstrated the district’s exceptional use of the program to a team from G. H. Dawe School in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, including Principal Sue Carmichael and four members of her administrative team. Carmichael and her team requested the visit to observe and discuss the use of Quantum Learning strategies in the classroom and as a schoolwide initiative. Specifically, the purpose of the visit was to determine how the neuroscience of QL can also be used to improve character education for all students.

Following a brief overview and tour provided by the Hairgrove administrative team, the visitors spent the remainder of their time visiting with staff and students and observing QL in action. “I am most impressed by the matrix of expectations and how it is infused and aligned with other campus initiatives to focus on building character and empowering students to make good choices,” Carmichael said. 

With an emphasis on understanding how the brain works and how students learn best, QL works hand-in-hand with other initiatives a campus may already be implementing. For example, Hairgrove activities are organized around the Game On system. The school is divided into two teams that participate in friendly competitions in various areas to promote teamwork and a sense of community. Within Game On, Hairgrove implemented three complimentary initiatives: No Excuses University; Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS); and Quantum Learning.

The certified QL facilitator for Hairgrove is assistant principal Terry Bell. She provides staff development on QL strategies, as well as QL lessons to students. Bell worked with Hairgrove’s PBIS leadership team to use QL’s eight Learning Keys in creating systems the entire campus follows.

“Our staff embraces anything that helps our students succeed,” said Darynda Klein, Hairgrove ES principal. “The QL strategies not only support ways to make lessons more engaging, but also support student learning without a lot of extra time preparing additional materials.”

CFISD was recently recognized as a premier district by the Quantum Learning corporate office.

Teaching Mathematics

Sam Houston State University held a conference on teaching mathematics to sixth- through twelfth-grade on Feb. 6-7. Nine math teachers from Cy Creek HS attended the conference with the campus math coach. Ashlee Todd, Christi Hajda and Teresa Hughes, three of the Cy Creek participants, presented a session titled Fun with Foldables.

Cy Creek teacher David Hunt said, “I learned more from this conference then I have in years.”

All of the participants expressed an interest in attending next, year as well.

Cy Creek HS teachers Ashlee Todd and Christi Hajda lead the session Fun With Foldables at Sam Houston State University’s recent conference for math teachers.

A Work of Heart

Campuses throughout the district celebrated CFISD's Board of Trustees in January for School Board Recognition Month. The School Board is a team of seven individuals, each elected by the CFISD community for a four-year term. Board members receive no salary for their service to the community.

A few of the ways CFISD campuses recognized Board members in January are listed below.


Hopper MS 

Eighth-grade student Treyvon Taylor reads one of the new books donated to Hopper MS library in honor of the School Board.

To show its appreciation for the CFISD Board of Trustees during ‎School Board Recognition Month, Hopper MS dedicated books focused on career choices to the school library in the Board's honor.


Watkins MS

Board member Kevin Hoffman visits with eight-grade students from Carol Barron's class at Watkins MS after being presented with a certificate recognizing the donation of a book to the school library in his name. 

Several campuses chose to donate a book dedicated to a specific Board member. Watkins MS selected Kevin Hoffman, who was honored to make a visit and meet with some of the students.

Jose Martinez, Watkins principal, presents Hoffman with a certificate recognizing the donation of a book to the school library in Hoffman's name.

Birkes ES

Birkes ES students created works of art to demonstrate the school's appreciation for the CFISD Board of Trustees. More photos are available on the district's Twitter page.

Keith ES

Several students at Keith ES created mixed-media portraits of the CFISD Board members which were displayed at the school. Some of the artwork is available to view on Twitter and Facebook.









Bane ES


Board member Bob Covey was visiting the offices of the CFISD communication department when several over-sized "thank you" cards and posters were delivered from students and staff at Bane ES. 

Board Meeting 

 During the Jan. 20 Board meeting, banners, posters and cards from several campuses were displayed in the board room and halls of the ISC. Certificates, student art and various tokens of appreciation were delivered to the Board members at the beginning of the session. In addition, Jersey Village HS choir students, led by choir teacher Neena Taylor, performed a song and dance routine.

Aragon A-Team

Aragon MS administrators (L-R) Melissa Bradley, director of instruction; Emily DeNease, assistant principal; Maria Mamaux, principal; and Gena Kellar, eighth-grade counselor dress up as Hogwarts wizards to bring a Harry Potter novel alive for Aragon MS LIFE Skills students. 

Administrators at Aragon MS dressed up like Hogwarts wizards to visit LIFE Skills teacher Allison Krolczyk's classroom the week of Jan. 26.

Principal Maria Mamaux, assistant principal Emily DeNease, director of instruction Melissa Bradley and eighth-grade counselor Gena Kellar dressed the part to coincide with the students reading an adapted Harry Potter novel.

"Aragon's A-team really brought the book to life for the students," said Hollie Sailors, LIFE Skills behavior coach.

Quantum Learning

Mark Reardon, Quantum Learning representative, observes a CFISD classroom during his recent visit to the district. He is joined by Christina Hoover, academic achievement specialist at Cypress Woods HS, and Elizabeth Bradley, director of Instruction at Kahla MS. 

In preparation for the launch of an enhanced Quantum Learning (QL) program, and to help create and implement the most effective training possible, members of the corporate QL Team recently visited CFISD, which they consider a premier QL district. The QL Chief Learning Officer, Mark Reardon, and his team, visited ALC-East, Harigrove ES, Kahla MS, Spillane MS and Cypress Woods HS to observe QL in action and visit with campus administrators and QL facilitators. Following the campus visits, the QL team conducted a two-day pilot training with district facilitators, where they worked collaboratively to enhance the Essentials course before fully implementing the initiative.

QL is a longtime partner of CFISD aiding in districtwide staff development. QL is grounded in the latest developments of neuroscience, providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage the brain’s natural learning systems. In an effort to continue meeting district's needs, QL recently introduced a new teacher program, Excellence in Teaching. This program will replace the current Day 1-5 training with three brand new courses: Essentials, Classroom Culture and Management and Design and Delivery for Learning. Teachers can anticipate that the new Essentials course will begin to roll out summer 2015. As part of this transition, current QL facilitators will be training on the updated content.

"What an amazingly inspiring three days! Encouraging, insightful, honoring," Reardon said.  "Your team of facilitators were impressively courageous. They explored the new, wrestled with reconciling the new with what they already knew, and now have a deeper understanding of the power of QL. The connections, distinctions and revelations they expressed as we debriefed the modules were what we were hoping to hear and even more! And perhaps the most important work was that of allowing the internal shifts to happen; shifts in what they believe is possible and how they can impact it." 

Mark Reardon speaks to a group of CFISD educators.

CFISD Quantum Learning facilitators take part in a recent Essentials course training.

Curriculum Department New Model Teachers

The curriculum department added six new Literacy Model Teachers to their reading and language arts team for second- through fifth-grade. Literacy Model Teachers use classroom observation, professional development and peer coaching to empower and inspire other CFISD educators to use best practices in literacy instruction. Currently, there are 30 Literacy Model Teachers on the second- through fifth-grade team.

Autumn Allison
Holbrook ES (2nd)

Stacy Hernandez
M. Robinson ES (2nd)

Kara Leal 
Lamkin ES (4th)

Lindsay May
Adam ES (4th)

Jessica McAllister
Lee ES (2nd)

Katie Nelson
Birkes ES (5th)










Edit 1/21/15: The original post described these teachers as new hires to the curriculum department, however, they are the newly named Model Teachers for their respective campuses.

In Memory of...

CFISD recently lost an employee. Please join us in honoring her.

Maria Delia Villafranca
April 21, 1949 - Dec. 18, 2014

Delia Villafranca filled many roles throughout the district during her more than 20 years with CFISD. She worked as a substitute; a paraeducator; a secretary at Labay MS; and most recently, as a secretary in the career and technology education department. 

In Memory Of...

CFISD recently lost two employees. Please join us in honoring them.

Thomas Halligan
July 25, 1959 - Nov. 12, 2014

Tom Halligan was the art teacher for all grades at Lieder ES. He began work with CFISD in August 2008. This was his seventh school year in the district.

Diane Stevenson

Feb. 11, 1968 - Dec. 10, 2014

Diane Stevenson worked as a substitute for nearly 10 years, filling various roles throughout the district. In August 2012, she became a Life Skills paraeducator for McFee ES. This was her third school year in that position. 

Hopper MS hosts vertical alignment sessions

Hopper MS Principal Wendi Witthaus leads a vertical alignment session on Oct. 30 at Hopper MS.

Hopper MS hosted vertical alignment sessions with feeder schools Duryea ES and Cypress Springs HS on Oct. 28-30, with the purpose of creating communication between elementary and secondary schools, while discussing transitional concerns for students struggling "in the middle."

“Through the coordination of campus vertical alignments, all stakeholders can play a significant role in the improvement and quality of student learning at each grade level,” said Charlene Davis-Norris, Hopper academic achievement specialist.

During the half-day sessions, teachers from the feeder schools had the opportunity to observe Hopper teachers with their content area, followed by a Q&A session. During the debrief, teachers engaged in purposeful dialogue and positive collaboration where all involved were able to take away innovative ideas, instructional practices and procedures that could be used in their classrooms and throughout the school.

“The teachers and administration from Duryea, Hopper and Cy Springs all Turned up the Heat and made our second annual vertical alignment a huge success!” Davis-Norris said.

From L-R, Hopper MS staff members Evelyn Shephard, science CCIS; Sonya Clark, language arts CCIS; Charlene Davis-Norris, academic achievement specialist; Angela Panuska, language arts CCIS; Dr. Brenda Brewster, social studies CCIS; and Beverlyn Hurst, academic achievement specialist; enjoy the vertical alignment session.

English teacher Megan Lennon and Hopper MS language arts teacher Summer Francis work together during the vertical alignment session.

Duryea ES instructional specialist Gina Rueter speaks to participants in the vertical alignment session.

Adobe Connect in the Classroom

Secondary math technology curriculum coach Amber Smith demonstrates how to solve a math problem during an Adobe Connect session. 

Secondary math curriculum and instruction staff members provided a special opportunity for students who were to take the STAAR Algebra I End-Of-Course Exam in December. Prior to the test, two Adobe Connect online tutorial sessions were held during after-school hours, and students were able to see and hear math curriculum coaches discuss and solve math problems. During the sessions, students and instructors were able to interact using the Adobe Connect chat feature. Many students entered the sessions ready to request solutions to released EOC test questions.

High school campuses invited students to attend the sessions and opened computer labs so that students could participate on campus. Off-campus students were also able to participate online using personal computers. With multi-tiered plans in place to support these students, campus faculty and math curriculum coaches were able to Lead the Way for student success through the Adobe Connect sessions.

A student from Langham Creek HS takes part in a recent online Adobe Connect session.

Employee Feedback

Employee Connection readers have the option to leave comments on any blog post, with an appropriate online account. CFISD encourages this feedback as a means of culturing transparency in the district's communication. Comments will always be passed on to the appropriate departments, so concerns and questions can be addressed by the most qualified persons.

To leave a comment:

1. look for the comment box after the post;
2. type your comment;
3. select the online service you will be using to log in; and
4. click on the publish post button.

CFISD's policy on comments for all district social media sites is as follows:
CFISD reserves the right to delete comments that use inappropriate language, are defamatory or are otherwise unrelated to the CFISD posting.

PTO Pie Delivery

As part of a new effort to randomly show appreciation to staff throughout the district, the CFISD Community Engagement department recently organized a pie delivery to staff at Francone, Bane and McFee elementary schools. The volunteer group who collected and delivered the pies consisted of active PTOs from other campuses, global volunteers and retired CFISD employees. There are no PTO groups affiliated with the campuses selected to received the special treats. 

Singing Zoologist at Jowell ES

Jowell ES welcomed “The Singing Zoologist” Lucas Miller to their campus on Nov. 18, a legendary musician and author who gave fun and interactive science lessons in the school library to all grade levels.

Miller, who has composed his own music and written his own books, shared his extensive knowledge about animals and science while playing the guitar and singing for Jowell students.

“His knowledge about animals and science is definitely present throughout all of his music, books and storytelling,” said Jowell librarian Alpha Cruz Lopez. “Lucas’ love for the science of animals manifests itself so vividly through his love that reciprocates within the same love for children. He was awesome!”

Goofy hats were part of Lucas Miller’s repertoire, as he provided fun lessons about metamorphosis and many other interesting animal facts.

All grade levels had the opportunity to hear from the legendary musician and author Lucas Miller at Jowell ES on Nov. 18.

2014 Heart Walk

CFISD had 51 teams of staff, students and family members participate in the annual Heart Walk on Nov. 8, raising approximately $14,000 to date. Donations are still being accepted at www.nwharrisheartwalk.org.

Cy Ridge HS students hand out water bottles at the community event on Nov. 8.

Students represent PALs, Peer Assistance and Leadership program, at the 2014 Heart Walk.

Event attendees join CFISD high school dance groups near the DJ stage, one of the attractions at the event. 

Lieder ES Staff Tailgate Event

(L-R) Lieder Principal Dr. Karen Stockton, instructional specialists Nina Campbell and Jennifer Dove prepare for the Oct. 24 tailgate with all the necessary supplies. 

In order to culminate the celebration of College and Career Readiness Week, the Lieder ES administrative team hosted its second annual tailgating party for all staff on Oct. 24.

“We serve traditional cuisine including hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, pulled pork sandwiches and bacon-wrapped shrimp,” said Dr. Karen Stockton, principal.

Teachers and staff enjoyed a variety of grilled items prepared by husbands of A-team members while the A-team served the food. The Lieder staff all wore collegiate apparel to commemorate the occasion.  

Dr. Stockton prepares a cheeseburger for staff members Blanca Warner and Adela Stokes at the tailgate.

Lieder teachers go through the food line at the second annual tailgating party on Oct. 24. 

Pink Out

Two CFISD schools recently held events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Warner ES staff and students took part in a large photoshoot for the campus yearbook.

Emmott ES staff honored those battling breast cancer during the week of Oct. 14-17 by raising awareness and donating $340 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help support the fight.

Emmott staff members participated in fun “Pink” activities throughout the week, with a “Pink Out” day on Oct. 17.

“The student body was included on Friday for our ‘Pink Out’ day, and it was known that Emmott Elementary had a passion for pink,” said principal Jessica Hernandez. “Way to go Eagles!”

Third-grade language arts teacher Leslie Goree, left, and third-grade math and science teacher Stephanie Casas go all out on “Pink Out” day at Emmott ES on Oct. 17.