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Upper Elementary Faculty, 2007-2008
Did You Know.....?
Michelle Barker
Did you know that what Mrs. Barker likes best about being a teacher is seeing the sparks of interest and enthusiasm on children’s faces? She says that it is then that she knows that she is helping them love to learn. Mrs. Barker will join the upper elementary team in the fall of 2007 to teach Spanish. She has a Master’s degree in school administration and Spanish/ESOL, has 12 years of classroom experience, and will be in her fourth year at Parish. Mrs. Barker has a daughter who will be in third grade at Parish this fall.
Keena Bell
Did you know that what Miss Bell enjoys most about teaching is having the opportunity to share a child’s enjoyment when he or she has worked hard and succeeds? She says that she has wanted to teach ever since she can remember. Miss Bell will join the third grade team in her fourth year at Parish, and she will teach language arts, math and science. She has taught language arts and math during her time at Parish, and she will be adding science to her list of teaching responsibilities. She graduated from the University of Texas, and she is a “huge” UT fan. She loves both UT and Austin and continues to attend as many football games as possible.
Leslie Bledsoe
Did you know that what Mrs. Bledsoe likes most about teaching is the kids and the opportunities to challenge them in fun ways? She says that it’s all about the interaction with the kids and watching them grow, and she states, “What better way to spend a day…doing something that matters!” Mrs. Bledsoe has been a part of the third grade team for four years and has taught for 20 years. In her fifth year, she will add social studies to her teaching responsibilities, a subject that she has taught for 14 years. Mrs. Bledsoe comes from a family of educators, and has a history of being a mentor for new teachers. Her family is her hobby, and she enjoys reading as well as choir at her church.
Lisa Fuchs
Did you know that the main reason Mrs. Fuchs has stayed in teaching so many years is that she never gets tired of watching kids’ eyes light up when they do their science activities? She says it’s a unique form of self-esteem to know that she still has something of value to impart to children, especially after her own child has grown up. She states that, “Kids still love science, and they love to learn.” Mrs. Fuchs has taught for 37 years. She was one of the first 50 teachers in the country to be professionally certified by the National Science Teachers Association, and she has been a consultant to Texas Education Agency TESIP Project instructing Texas teachers how to teach hands-on science to young children in order to implement national standards. Mrs. Fuchs is part of the fourth grade team at Parish, and she is the science coordinator for the upper elementary division. She also developed the curriculum for teaching Human Sexuality to elementary children and brain compatible study skills to all ages. She loves calligraphy, knitting, reading, soccer, cats, and the color purple.
Lucy Henard
Did you know that what Mrs. Henard likes most about teaching is that each day begins and ends with a smile from a child that lights her, Mrs. Henard, up on the inside? Mrs. Henard will be in her third year at Parish, and she teaches the computer curriculum to students in both the upper elementary and middle school divisions. She has a Master’s of Education degree in curriculum and technology from the University of South Florida, and she has seven years of additional experience in teaching technology and in being a director of technology in other settings. Mrs. Henard has coached and played soccer and basketball and has earned an athlete of the year award.
Sue Hicks
Did you know that working with children is the best part of teaching for Mrs. Hicks? She says that learning from them and seeing their faces light up when they are learning is so rewarding. She also states that having fun at school is so important for both the children and teachers, and having a sense of humor is a must for an educator! Mrs. Hicks will be moving into the upper elementary religion position in the fall of 2007. She has taught children in grades kindergarten through four for over 25 years in a range of diverse settings, and has gained experience as a team leader. Mrs. Hicks loves to travel with her husband, and she loves reading and shopping.
Hillary Peters
Did you know that what Miss Peters enjoys most about teaching is watching children reach those “ah ha” moments during a math class after struggling to understand how numbers can possibly work that way? Miss Peters will be entering into her eighth year of teaching, and she is on the fourth grade team at Parish. She graduated with a B.S. degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas, and she is a graduate of Hockaday School. She was also a camp director and counselor for more than five years. Miss Peters is another one of the upper elementary faculty members who comes from a family of educators.
Katrina Prokopenko
Did you know that Ms. Prokopenko speaks two languages and came to America from Russia on an athletic scholarship in rowing. Ms. Prokopenko is the new upper elementary permanent guest teacher and assistant to the head of the upper elementary division, and she will teach our Morning Math Club as well. She received her B.A. in Art History from the University of Massachusetts, and she came to us from the Greenhill Fellows program. She continues to coach rowing at Hockaday, and swimming is another one of her favorite sports.
Katie Speaker
Did you know that what Mrs. Speaker (previously Miss Meyer) enjoys most about teaching is those “light bulb” moments when a child connects information and becomes excited about what he/she is learning? She also loves coming to school each day knowing that it is a new day with new experiences. Mrs. Speaker taught for a year at Parish, moved to New York with her new husband and taught there, and will be returning to Parish to teach language arts, reading, and science, all subjects that she has taught at either Parish, or in New York, or both. She received her B.A. degree from Davidson College and her teaching certification from the University of North Carolina. She will begin her Master’s of Education degree at Southern Methodist University this fall. One of Mrs. Speaker’s special interests is reading literature of conflict about war and conflict.
Debbie Stevenson
Did you know that Mrs. Stevenson’s number one goal is to build confidence in her students so that they believe that they can do just about anything they set their minds to do? She says that she loves to see the glow in their eyes and the energy that comes from student motivation. Her favorite moment as a teacher is when she sees students energized about learning, and taking pride in their accomplishments. Mrs. Stevenson has 30 years of teaching and administrative experience. She received her B.A. degree in teaching from Sam Houston State University and her Master’s degree in educational administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. She also continues to stay active in several professional organizations including the national and state associations for supervision and curriculum development, the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented, the Texas Association of School Administrators, the National Association for Staff Development, and the Texas Association of Elementary School Principals. Mrs. Stevenson is part of the third grade team at Parish, and she is the social studies coordinator for the upper elementary division. This year, she will add reading to her teaching responsibilities, a subject that she has taught for 12 years. She enjoys sailing, snow skiing, traveling, and she is a big fan of the Cowboys, Mavericks, and Jimmy Buffett.
Gerald Stevenson
Did you know that what Mr. Stevenson likes most about being a teacher is the great feeling he gets when he sees a student “get it”? He says it is a thrill that never gets old, and that working with young people is a treat! He states, “Teaching is a calling much like a ministry, and I feel privileged to have a long career that has allowed me to work with children.” Mr. Stevenson has 33 years of experience in teaching and administration. During his 17 years as a principal at Woodrow Wilson Elementary, they were rated as an exemplary school by the state. Although Mr. Stevenson has taught all of the core courses during his teaching experience, history remains his favorite. Both Mr. & Mrs. Stevenson enjoy sailing, snow skiing, and traveling, and he joins Mrs. Stevenson in being a big fan of the Cowboys, Mavericks, and Jimmy Buffett.
Susan Waddington
Did you know that what Mrs. Waddington likes most about teaching is when a student feels successful? She states that, “Alpha brain waves are associated with creative achievement,” and she gets that happy feeling the same as if she had done the creating! Mrs. Waddington has been an art teacher at Parish for 20 years. She has her Bachelor’s degree in art education and Master’s degree in early childhood education, and she has professional art experience in advertising, display, and computer software. She has continued her education over the years with classes in art education, sculpture, jewelry-making, and weaving. Mrs. Waddington loves going to museums, collecting folk art, and making all kinds of things.
Donna Wootton
Did you know that what Mrs. Wootton enjoys most about being a teacher is the opportunity she has each year to be an integral, hopefully positive, part of her students’ and families’ lives? Mrs. Wootton has 12 years of teaching experience and has been affiliated with Parish since 1985 when her daughter, Katy, enrolled as a three year old. She has a history of involvement with the Parents’ Association in many different capacities including President, Secretary, Receptions Chairman, and Hot Lunch Chairman, and she is a past recipient of the Bondy-Lee Award. Mrs. Wootton is a member of the fourth grade team, and has specialized in reading and language arts during seven of her teaching years. Mrs. Wootton is a fan of the University of Arkansas Hogs, as she received her B.S. degree from there in elementary education. She also loves running, weight training, gardening, and reading.
Linda Zrubek
Did you know that what Mrs. Zrubek enjoys most about teaching is that every day’s experience is new and fresh, and children keep one mindful of this through their boundless energy, enthusiasm and amazing creativity? She says that there are many days when roles are reversed, and students are the teachers and she, the learner (in a figurative sense, of course)! Mrs. Zrubek holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas State University and 28 years of classroom experience as a music educator and choral director. She is the founder of the choral program, and she created the music curriculum for grades three through eight at Parish. She is also involved in music ministry at the Church of the Transfiguration and is well grounded in Episcopal hymnody and sung liturgy. In addition to her music, Mrs. Zrubek loves traveling, needlepoint, reading.
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