North Ridge fifth-grader organizes fundraiser for Haiti

Many people have watched television coverage of destruction in Haiti following an earthquake last month, but one North Ridge Elementary School student was moved to begin organizing a fundraiser for the people of Haiti. Her efforts helped raise more than $3,000 for the quake-stricken nation. Fallyn Berry, a fifth-grader at North Ridge, sent an e-mail [...]

Walsh commended by National Merit Scholarship Program

When she found out her score on the Preliminary SAT test, Kathleen “Katie” Walsh said she was excited by the company in which she found herself. Walsh was one of three seniors who were commended by the National Merit Scholarship Program, including David Baker and Kaulie Lewis, whom she considers to be very smart. “I [...]

Frenship High senior commended by National Merit program

One could wonder when David Baker ever finds time to study. Baker was honored last month as one of three Frenship High School seniors to receive a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students are honored because of their test scores on the Preliminary SAT test. “If you ask me my favorite [...]

Songwriter inspired by Oak Ridge Elementary student

Meet Jayken Beal, a 7-year-old second-grader at Oak Ridge Elementary School. His favorite song is “Amazing Grace,” his favorite television show is “Chowder” and he wants to be a missionary in Asia. He also has only half a heart. A few months before he was born, his parents, Tim and Paula, had an ultrasound done [...]

Reese Education Center principal passionate about his new role

Farley Reeves is only two weeks into the school year as principal of Reese Education Center, but already he said he gets up in the morning excited to go to work and make a difference. “This has been the best job I’ve ever had.” Don’t take that the wrong way, he said. He’s always loved [...]

Oak Ridge teacher named Region 17 Teacher of the Year

Fifth-grade teacher Toni Meador was recently named the Region 17 elementary Teacher of the Year, but it’s not an honor she is truly comfortable receiving. “It definitely wasn’t anything I signed up for,” she said. “I work hard, try my best. I don’t really see myself as better than anyone else. That’s the hard thing [...]

Speer is ‘teacher feature’ for Texas Music Educators Conference

David Speer, assistant band director and percussion coordinator at Frenship High School and Terra Vista Middle School, is the featured teacher on the Texas Music Educators Conference Web site.

Speer has been a member of TMEC since he was in college at the University of Texas at Austin, and he also met his wife there. TMEC is the Texas branch of a national organization called the Music Educators National Conference. He said he’s always had a love for music and was exposed to playing music because his mother played piano.