|
BACK TO SCHOOL
EDITION 1: Meet our New Teachers & Learn about LES PTA
August 2, 2019
|
|
|
Dear Lovejoy Families,
Can you believe that we start school in two weeks? I am so excited to see all of our returning students, and I can't wait to meet our new students. I know that our best and brightest days are ahead for the 2019 - 2020 school year!
This year, we will be sending our Back to School information a little differently. In the past, we mailed home a big mailer with all of this information in it that most of us just threw away. So this year, we are going to send a series of "Back To School" Principal Messages. In these special editions, it will only have information pertaining to Lovejoy Elementary. I look forward to hearing your feedback on this new system.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Wendy Craft
214-551-4503 (cell)
469-742-8077 (office)
|
|
|
Staff Member's Name and Picture
|
Role on Our Campus
|
A note about the teacher from each of them!
In italics, you will see the position that they have filled.
|
|
Bree Berry-Dozier
|
4th Grade Language Arts Teacher
|
I'm so excited to be teaching 4th grade ELAR at Lovejoy Elementary School. This will be my 21st year teaching in Texas and 25th in education.
I am originally from Massachusetts and received my Bachelors in Ed.Studies from Salem State University. I am currently enrolled in a masters program at Endicott. I have been married for 17 years to my husband Keith and together we have two amazing children. In my spare time I love to travel all over the world and make new friends.
Teaching is my passion and I am so happy to be a part of Lovejoy ISD.
Mrs. Reiners gifts and talents were needed at WSMS where she will be teaching 8th grade English.
|
Courtney Burkhart
|
3rd Grade Teacher
|
As a teacher, I always ask my students their dreams, their goals, and what they want to be when they grow up. Since I was in 2nd grade I have always known I wanted to be an elementary teacher. I am living my dream each day I walk into the classroom!! My name is Courtney Burkhart. I was born and raised in Dallas, and went to elementary school in Plano. My family moved to Wisconsin where I graduated from high school. Needless to say, I'm both a Packer and Cowboys fan! I moved back to Texas (I needed to see the sun) and graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. I taught 1st grade and 3rd grade for 12 years in Plano ISD. The last 3 years I've taught 2nd grade in Highland Park ISD. I'm so excited to be back in 3rd grade in Lovejoy ISD. When I am out of the classroom, I love spending time with my family and friends. My husband and I welcomed a new little girl a year ago and we love being with her!! I love being active, being outside, and watching all sports!! I am passionate about teaching and learning. I am so thrilled and grateful to be part of Lovejoy Elementary!
Mrs. Rohlmeier recently earned her masters in Library Media, and she is going to be a LMS in Allen ISD.
|
|
Laine Collins
|
2nd Grade Teacher
|
I am beyond excited to teach 2
nd
grade at Lovejoy Elementary this year! I am entering my 14th year teaching and I still love every minute! For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. In pursuing my career, I attended the University of Arkansas (GO HOGS!) where I received a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. I received my Masters degree there in Education as well. I taught first grade in Richardson for 8 years, second grade in McKinney, and taught 2
nd
grade in Frisco for the past 4 years. My wonderful husband Shane and I have a 6 year old daughter Quinn, who will be in 1
st
grade at LES. We also have a sweet girl named Tate who is two. I'm sure you'll hear many stories about both girls! We also have a very lazy but sweet cat named Sampson. In my spare time I love to read, cook, spend time with my family and do fun things with Quinn and Tate. My family and I also enjoying going to football games and concerts.
Mrs. Parker's gifts and talents were needed at Puster where she will be teaching 3rd grade.
|
|
Diane Frame
|
1st Grade Teacher
|
I am a wife, mother, teacher, and christian who has spent her life striving to inspire children to dream big dreams and find joy in learning. This will be my 24th year in education. I have a master's degree in Gifted & Talented education, as well as an early childhood certification and an ESL certification. Most recently I have had the pleasure to lead a kindergarten team in a two-way dual language school, and then became the ELAR instructional coach at that same school in McKinney. During my time in MISD, I discovered a love for designing curriculum and providing professional development for teachers throughout North Texas. My husband Shane, is the managing partner at The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney. He is also an accomplished musician and singer who enjoys playing locally as well as leading worship at Creekwood United Methodist church right down the street from Lovejoy Elementary! I have one daughter still at home named Mackinlee who will be a sophmore at Boyd HS in MISD, and one stepdaughter, whom I refer to as my "bonus" daughter who is the mother to my two grandchildren, Kennedy and Keaton. When I am not teaching, I enjoy being with my family, watching my hubby play and seeing my daughter dance, I also enjoy getting out in the sunshine and going anywhere there is water...pool, lake, river, beach...I'm not picky!
Mrs. Wendt went to Wylie ISD to teach 3rd grade Math.
|
|
Nicki Harmon
|
3rd Grade Teacher
|
I am so excited to be able to be here and teach at Lovejoy elementary school. I was born and raised in California. I have three children, two cats, and a husband I just adore. I started my teaching career running a childcare and preschool for eight years. During that time I received my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. After receiving my AA, I worked at a Christian preschool for two years, while I worked on my Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I became a teacher in 2015, at a school in Modesto, where I taught fourth and fifth grade, in the Gifted and Talented Education program. I believe teaching is my calling in life, and it is my way of making a difference in the world. It is my hope that I can help instill the knowledge, skills, and values that your student will need to be successful in life! I'm looking forward to being a part of your family's educational journey and a part of this amazing team and district!
Mrs. Knight went to Allen ISD to teach 4th grade Science.
|
|
Alex Hodgkinson
|
3rd Grade Special Education Teacher
|
This is my first year teaching and I am so excited to be starting this journey as a part of the Lovejoy family. I grew up in a small town in Ontario, Canada. Upon graduating from high school I was offered a women's golf scholarship and moved to Henderson, Tennessee to attend Freed-Hardeman University. While there I obtained my B.S. in Psychology and was lucky enough to play the sport I love for 4 years. Following my time at Freed-Hardeman University I continued to further my education by obtaining my Master's degree from Vanderbilt University in Special Education. During my time at Vanderbilt I was fortunate enough to work under some of the brightest researchers in the field and grow so much as an educator. I feel so lucky to have found a career that I have so much love and passion for and even luckier to have found a school district that promotes those same ideals in both their staff and students. I'm so excited to be a Lovejoy Leopard!
Mrs. Ghebray went to Wylie ISD to teach Resource.
|
|
Jennifer Kielawa
|
Kindergarten Special Education Teacher
|
I am so excited to be part of Lovejoy Elementary School. This is my first year teaching Kindergarten at Lovejoy Elementary and my fifth year teaching special education. I love working with Kindergarten and all of the exploring, learning, and fun we get to have together! I have a master's degree in literacy and I love to teach reading! I could teach reading all day long! I can't wait to help you become better readers, explore genres of texts, and go on reading adventures!
I grew up in Long Island, New York and I always look forward to going home to visit my family. My parents and grandmother still live there but, my younger brother just moved to Chicago to get his PhD.
This summer, I finally moved to Texas! I have a lot of family here and I am thrilled to start spending more time with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I also have three dogs. They are Alaskan Huskies and they are so excited to be in their new home! They constantly run around in the backyard and have more energy than a room full of students!
Mrs. Kressin moved up with her students to 1st grade SPED.
|
Stephanie Levesque
|
2nd Grade Teacher
|
I'm Stephanie Levesque and I am so excited to be part of the 2
nd
grade team at Lovejoy Elementary this school year! I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies EC-6 Generalist. I am certified to teach EC-6 and ESL.
I am married to my best friend who moved us around the country throughout his career in the U.S. Navy. We have 2 wonderful children and a spoiled yorkie that rules our house! I love to spend time with my family and garden!
I am looking forward to a fantastic school year watching your children grow and being part of our classroom family!
We added a section to 2nd grade due to our numbers.
|
|
Grace McFarling
|
Speech Pathologist
|
I am truly honored to join the Lovejoy community as a Speech-Language Pathologist. My husband and I both graduated from Lovejoy High School as a part of the first graduating class in 2010. I am beyond grateful to be given the opportunity to give back to the district I consider home. Like many, I believe communication is the foundation for building strong relationships and enjoying life. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I strive to help each individual child reach their highest potential and improve their overall quality of life. I genuinely LOVE what I do, and I am overjoyed to embark on this new journey. After all, Once a Leopard, Always a Leopard.
Ms. Murry decided to return to the private sector.
|
|
Elizabeth Winger
|
4th Grade Special Education Teacher
|
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Winger. This is my first year at Lovejoy and my 19
th
year of teaching. I have taught 3
rd
, 5
th
, and 6
th
grades and am currently a Special Education teacher. My husband Lance and I have two boys. Grant is a Sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University and Lane is a Senior at Wylie High School. We have lived in Wylie since 1997. I am excited about teaching Resource and LES!
Mrs. Foster is going to be our 2nd grade SPED teacher.
|
|
|
Our PTA is an integral part of school! Our PTA hosts our Ice Cream Social, Family Fun Night, and all our school assemblies like Dennis Lee and our Author Visits! I highly encourage you to join our PTA today!
JOIN PTA Today!
You can join today by clicking here!
Would you like to Volunteer or become a W.A.T.C.H. dog or simply learn all of the ways that our PTA supports our school? Then, click
here for the August PTA Newsletter.
|
|
August
|
September
|
|
12 - Class lists available on Power School at 10 am
12 - Lovejoy School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm
12-16 - Teacher Academy for Teachers
13 - New Student Orientation at 3:00 - 4:00 pm (You can meet your child's teacher at 4:00)
13 - Meet the Teacher for Kindergarten - 4:45 - 5:30 (This is NOT a come and go event)
13 - Meet the Teacher Night Grades 1 - 4 - 5:30 - 6:30pm (Come & Go Event)
19 - First day of school for students
19 - Cheers and Tears - 8:05 - Gathering Spot
29 - PTA Volunteer Training @ 9:30 am
30 - Dennis Lee Assembly, 1:45pm
|
2 - Student and Staff Holiday - Labor Day
9 - PTA General Meeting @10:30 a.m.
10 - Fall Picture Day
13 - Early Release @ noon - Leopard Friday
16 - Lovejoy School Board Meeting - 7:00
23-27 - Book Fair
23 - PTA Spirit Night @ In & Out Burger
26 - PTA Ice Cream Social - 6:00 p.m. - Cafeteria
27 - Leopard Live @ 8
|
|
|
"Nurturing the hearts and minds of students with knowledge, skills and character."
If you would like to update your district/campus email preferences or change your email address, please click on the Update Profile link at the footer of this email. You will receive an email from Constant Contact which will allow you to update your information and campuses.
|
|
|
|
|
