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Upper Elementary Faculty, 2008-2009
Did You Know.....?
Keena Aderhold
Did you know that what Mrs. Aderhold (formerly 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. Mrs. Aderhold has joined the fourth grade team in her fifth year at Parish this year, and she teaches language arts and math. She graduated from the University of Texas with her degree in education and a specialization in early childhood education, and she is a “huge” UT fan. She loves both UT and Austin and continues to attend as many football games as possible.
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 thoroughly enjoys helping students love to learn. Mrs. Barker teaches third and fourth grade Spanish. She has a Master’s degree in school administration and Spanish/ESOL, has 13 years of classroom experience, and will be in her fifth year at Parish. Mrs. Barker has a daughter who will be in fourth grade at Parish this fall.
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 five years and has taught for 20 years. Mrs. Bledsoe comes from a family of educators, and has a history of being a mentor for new teachers. She enjoys reading and spending time outdoors and with her family.
Donna Durling
Did you know that what Mrs. Durling 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. Durling has 13 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. Durling is a member of the fourth grade team, and has specialized in reading and language arts during seven of her teaching years. Mrs. Durling 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.
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 38 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 Early Childhood and Upper Elementary Divisions. She also developed the curriculum for teaching 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 fourth 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. Mrs. Henard will be on maternity leave during the first part of the 2008-09 school year. Please join me in wishing her well until we have her back at Parish!
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 teaches upper elementary religion, as well as being the chapel program assistant for US, MS, and UE chapel. 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 class after struggling to understand a new concept? Miss Peters is in her ninth year of teaching, and she is on the fourth grade team at Parish. She teaches math and language arts. Miss Peters 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 Division 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 in her second year as the Upper Elementary Permanent Guest Teacher and Assistant to the Head of the Upper Elementary Division, and she teaches 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.
Lea Ray
Did you know that what Mrs. Ray loves most about teaching is watching her students have fun while they are actively learning and working together? She says that “listening to a student share a story he/she has written, or watching a child manipulate science tools in order to investigate a science experiment makes teaching a blast!” She enjoys watching them grow and develop, not only as students, but as young members of the community. Mrs. Ray joined the Upper Elementary Division team this year to teach several subjects in third grade. She has her B.S. degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University, and she has six years elementary teaching experience. Mrs. Ray has been a specialist in reading and language arts, and she has provided staff development and curriculum development for RISD in these areas. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and exercising.
Grace Sanders
Did you know that what Mrs. Sanders loves most about teaching is the opportunity to grow in compassion and dedication to providing a quality education to all students? Mrs. Sanders has had the opportunity to teach many diverse students across the economic spectrum, and she feels each child is deserving of all of her energy and talent to fulfill his/her potential. Mrs. Sanders has joined the Upper Elementary Division team this year to teach several subjects in third grade. She has her B.S. degree in education from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and she is an award winning teacher of six years experience, recognized as an outstanding teacher for Northside Independent School District. In her spare time, she loves reading, running, tennis, skiing, and teaching Sunday school at her church.
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 31 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 Early Childhood and Upper Elementary Divisions. 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 34 years of experience in teaching and administration. He received his Bachelor’s degree in music at West Texas State University and his Master’s in school administration from North Texas State University. 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.
Wendy Tibbitts
Did you know that what Mrs. Tibbitts loves most about teaching is that by the end of each year, she discovers that she has learned as much as she has taught? Mrs. Tibbitts has joined the Upper Elementary Division team this year to teach several subjects in third grade. She has her B.S. degree in business education from Texas Woman’s University, and she has five years elementary teaching experience. Much of her spare time is spent attending her daughters’ Parish sports events. She also enjoys reading, shopping and home improvement.
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 21 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.
Julia West
Did you know that Ms. West believes that “the most powerful tool a teacher possesses is the example that she models, and that teaching impressionable and formative students is one of the greatest responsibilities anyone can be given?” Ms. West has joined the Upper Elementary Division team as our new music teacher. She has been a music teacher at Mount Auburn Elementary School for two years and has two additional years of experience as an accompanist, choir conductor, performer, and teacher of harpsichord. She has her Bachelor’s degree in music education, and her Master’s degree in music performance from the University of North Texas. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. Ms. West is the recipient of the Mary Walsh Academic Scholarship and the Marion Flagg Memorial Scholarship, and she is a Golden Key Distinguished Scholar recipient. She has enjoyed professional appearances with the Orchestra of New Spain, as a vocalist with the Texas Choral Artists, and has been invited to perform as a vocalist and harpsichordist for the Star Island Conference of the Institute of Religion. In her spare time, she enjoys multi-cultural studies, developing foreign language skills, vocal and instrumental music, history, art, and literature.
Ted Lakoski
In addition to our faculty members, we are pleased to report that we have expanded to include a Counselor in 2008-09. Ted Lakoski has joined both the Early Childhood and Upper Elementary Division teams as a counselor for both divisions. Mr. Lakoski comes to Parish with four years experience as a counselor and seven additional years experience in business, mostly as a consultant. He has his Master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and his MBA from St. Edward’s University in Austin. We are thrilled to have Mr. Lakoski’s expertise at Parish.
Cynthia Redden
We are also pleased to report that we have expanded to include a Learning Specialist in 2008-09. Cynthia Redden has joined both the Upper Elementary and Middle School Division teams as Learning Specialist for both divisions. Mrs. Redden comes to Parish with 10 years experience as a Texas Certified Diagnostician and classroom teacher. She has her Master’s degree in education and her B.S. degree from Texas State University in San Marcos. We are thrilled to have Mrs. Redden’s expertise at Parish.
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