Hannah Shorey, Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
With the promise of a new building opening in June, the Sigler Elementary School community is abuzz with excitement. Our school theme is “Building Our Future.” Each day as I pass the “Under Construction” signs that dot the campus, I think, how appropriate, for I too, am “under construction.” After twenty-one years of teaching in Plano, I still add to my storehouse of knowledge and experience every day. Always on the cutting edge in developing exemplary teachers, curriculum, and administrators, Plano ISD expects nothing less from me.
'Every child who walks into Sigler is 'under construction,' and the task of educating him belongs to all of us.'
Not only do I benefit from Plano’s wide choice of growth opportunities offered in their professional development and continuing education classes, but I am also a better teacher because I am surrounded by a top-notch staff and supportive family of teachers and principals whose first priority is always the students. Just as it takes a village to rear a child, it takes a faculty to teach one. I thrive on gathering information to make my students more successful, and look forward to sharing these ideas with other staff members to use in their classrooms. Every child who walks into Sigler is “under construction,” and the task of educating him belongs to all of us.
Building something worthwhile, be it a school, a career, or a child’s self-esteem requires passion. That passion is the bedrock for everything that follows. My first teaching goal has always been to nurture each student’s individual passion. I learn what is important to him: soccer, a sister, or a treasured rock collection. I then use that data to make learning relevant; I know that to retain information a student must be able to relate it to what he already knows.
'My classroom radiates warmth and positive energy.'
Getting to know someone is a two-way street. I, too, must share my passions. I build this essential relationship with each child by chatting about a favorite pet, checking on the progress of her softball team, or asking about the book he is reading. I in turn share stories about my grandchildren, my favorite beach, or the depth of my latest chocolate craving. While working to gain each child’s trust, I maintain a safe, nurturing environment where it is easy to love learning and comfortably take risks.
My classroom radiates warmth and positive energy. Challenging analogies and puzzles, famous quotes, and random information greet every student. My enthusiasm for learning spills over. Often the student and I exchange roles. He becomes the teacher, and I the student as together we explore the limitless possibilities of lifelong learning.
As a Gifted Specialist and a Differentiation Resource Specialist, I work with everyone at Sigler. I have the best job in the world because I know every child personally. Not only do I teach identified PACE students, but I visit every classroom to share thinking exercises and watch for students with potential.
'Laughter is my secret ingredient for learning.'
Along with supporting the teachers, I tutor wherever I am needed. Each student is a special gift. As a parent and now a grandparent, I understand the risk of entrusting my child’s education to another adult. As a teacher I accept the responsibility, knowing I will affect a child’s life. That is why I work hard to maintain an open and honest relationship with each child’s parents. If the parents trust that I truly care about their child, together we can forge a lasting partnership to support and nurture their child.
If nourishing a student’s passion to learn lays the groundwork, and cooperative efforts among the child, his parents, and other teachers in the school become the bricks, then humor is the cement that adds stability and grace. Laughter is my secret ingredient for learning. Students remember when learning is fun. My thirty-two-year-old daughter can still list the U.S. Presidents in order because her fourth grade teacher presented them in a song. If the things children do in school are positive and enjoyable, they will love learning and build their worlds around it.
I believe Dr. Ruth said it best:
A lesson learned in laughter
Is a lesson learned for life!
Yet, am I still “under construction”? Absolutely, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I AM A PLANO TEACHER!
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
- University of North Texas – Certificate of Gifted and Talented Education
- East Texas State University – Masters of Elementary Education
- Marquette University – Bachelor of Arts
Teaching Experience
2006 to Present - Sigler Elementary, Plano ISD
- PACE Specialist
- Differentiation Resource Specialist
- Chair School Environment Vertical Team
- Language Arts Vertical Team
- Integrated Curriculum Vertical Team
- Destination Imagination Judge
- Douglas Center After-School Volunteer
2003 to 2006 - Frankford Middle School, Plano ISD
- Sixth Grade Team Leader
- Sixth Grade PACE Teacher
- Sixth Grade Language Arts/Reading Teacher
- Whiz Quiz Volunteer
- Mentor Liaison for Frankford Middle School
- TOP Certified
- Planning Committee
1994 to 2003 - Brinker Elementary, Plano ISD
- Third Grade Team Leader
- PACE Grade Level Teacher
- Math Vertical Team Leader
- Math Vertical Team
- PTA Board Teacher Representative
- School Based Improvement Council
- Spirit Committee
- Reading Vertical Team
- Blue Ribbon Writing Committee
- Staff Coordinator for Student Newspaper
- Third Grade Assistant Team Leader
- Science Vertical Team
1988 to 1994 - Wells Elementary, Plano ISD
- Second Grade Assistant Team Leader
- Special Assignment Leader
- Reading Coordinator
- Inventory Chairman
- Science Fair Coordinator
- Campus Improvement Committee
Curriculum & Staff Development
- PACE Specialist Mentor
- Developed Third Grade District Advanced Language Arts Curriculum.
- Case-NEX Facilitator
- Sunshine Committee Chair for PACE Specialists
- PACE Training and Facilitating
- Robert Marzano Training and Facilitating
- Differentiation Training and Facilitating
- Student Teacher Supervisor (1995 – 2006)
- PISD New Teacher In-Service Facilitator (1999 – 2003)
- Developed District Third Grade Math Curriculum
- District Mentor Training and Facilitating (1994 – 1991)
- Facilitator for District Wide Staff Development
- Developed District Second Grade Math Assessment
- Attended Numerous Curriculum Conference
Professional Associations
- Alpha Delta Kappa Professional Teacher’s Sorority
- Texas Talented and Gifted Association (current member)
- Texas Talented and Gifted Plano Association
- Science Teacher’s Association of Dallas
Awards & Recognitions
- Excellence in Teaching Award 2009 – Sigler Elementary
- Excellence in Teaching Award 1999 – Brinker Elementary
- Excellence in Teaching Award 1992 – Wells Elementary
- Texas PTA Life Membership Award
- Panther’s Inc. Lifetime Membership
- Science Teaching Award-Optical Society
- District Teaching Excellence Science Awards 1991 – 1993
- High School National Merit Scholar Most Influential Teacher Recognition
School
Principal Recommendation
Three years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Hannah Shorey for the position of Gifted Specialist at Sigler Elementary. Ten minutes into the interview, I dispensed with the formal questions; and the interview team and I just talked with Hannah as though we had known her for years. We could immediately sense her love of children and her passion for teaching. On the spot, we invited her to join our staff; and Hannah has been dedicated to our Sigler family ever since. As a self-motivated individual, she has impacted the students in her classroom as well as staff and students both campus and district wide.
The mission of the Plano Independent School District is to provide an excellent education for all students. Hannah Shorey tutors students in need of remediation both on campus and at the Douglas Community Center. At the same time, she is instrumental in offering academic opportunities to our above-level students who need extension and enrichment of the curriculum.
In addition to her identified PACE students, she works with our regular education students to provide them opportunities to learn higher level thinking skills and to be involved in book clubs, math competitions, and WordMasters. She encourages the children to go above and beyond and to enter contests such as the Collin County Mockingbird Poetry Contest and Destination Imagination.
Mrs. Shorey advocates strongly for children from all backgrounds to qualify to participate in the gifted and talented program and does not hesitate to take our children to Phase III of the PACE referral process as appropriate and necessary. In her tenure at Sigler, the number of students participating in the program has more than doubled.
Beyond the walls of her classroom, Mrs. Shorey has been a tremendous resource to the Sigler staff. She is a member of our Differentiation Resource Team and has delivered numerous professional development inservices to the teachers on topics ranging from Robert Marzano strategies to various methods of differentiating. Her excitement about the material she teaches is evident and contagious; her knowledge is extensive and up to date. She is always articulate, poised, flexible, calm, and reassuring.
District-wide, Mrs. Shorey is often called upon for her expertise in curriculum writing and last summer developed the district’s Third Grade Advanced Language Arts Curriculum. At the various schools she has worked, she has always been placed in a leadership role as a vertical team chair, an academic team leader, and as a mentor of student teachers or new PACE specialists. She has delivered district inservices to new PISD staff, and she has worked in the capacity of a Case-NEX facilitator.
Hannah Shorey has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at Wells, Brinker, and Sigler Elementary Schools because she exemplifies the criteria as outlined by the National Council of Chief State Schools Officers. She is respected and admired by students, parents, and colleagues alike. In her 20+ years with Plano ISD, she has played a critical role in the lives of many students. Hannah Shorey is exemplary at fulfilling her responsibilities as an educator at Sigler Elementary, and she is an outstanding candidate for Plano ISD’s 2009 Experienced Teacher of the Year.
Sincerely,
Sandra Muzquiz, Principal
Sigler Elementary School
|
