Board of Trustees

Jerry Christian, President
Nita Patrick, Vice President
Valerie Jones, Secretary

Kinkeade & Gross Honored as Teachers of the Year

Melissa Kinkeade, reading recovery and literacy teacher at Townsell Elementary School, and Sharon Gross, choral director at Irving High School, were honored as 2008-2009 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year at a meeting of the IISD Board of Trustees held in the Nimitz High School Auditorium.

Both teachers received $500 from Calvary Church, $250 from Irving Schools Foundation (ISF), the use of a car for one school year courtesy of Don Herring Mitsubishi, an engraved plaque, and a photo from Lifetouch Studios. Kinkeade and Gross were chosen from among the 38 Campus Teachers of the Year across Irving ISD.

Kinkeade began her teaching career in 1973 with Bryan ISD, joining Irving ISD in 1974 as a second grade teacher at Johnston Elementary School. Kinkeade has also taught at Keyes Elementary School, Davis Elementary School, and Townsell Elementary School where she has been since 2003. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University and earned certification in Reading Recovery and dyslexia teaching from Texas Woman’s University and Southern Methodist University, respectively.

“I am a cheerleader for reading,” Kinkeade said. “I emphasize that reading can be fun and exciting! I have tried to instill confidence in each student in this classroom, because I know if they have the reading skills, and believe they can pass the TAKS test, they will pass.”

A product of Irving ISD schools, Gross re-joined IISD in 2005, serving as choral director at Irving High School. Prior to IISD, Gross taught at Fort Worth Country Day School, Paschal High School and Daggett Middle School in Fort Worth ISD, The Hockaday School, and Dallas Baptist University. She has Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from University of North Texas and has performed professionally in Fort Worth, Dallas, and New York City.

“Our relationships with students, teachers and parents provide the tools that will bind us together, as we utilize the tools of campus-wide participation in activities that bring us together.” Gross quoted Edwin Markham in saying: “there is a destiny that makes us Brothers, no one goes his way alone; All that we send into the hearts of others, comes back into our own.”

A reception for both teachers, as well as for Campus Teachers of the Year, was held in the Nimitz cafeteria before the board meeting.

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Campus Teachers of the Year Recognized

Campus Teachers of the Year, chosen from the 38 IISD schools, were recognized at the Board meeting. The Board presented each Campus Teacher of the Year with $250 from ISF, a framed certificate, and a photo from Lifetouch Studios.

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Elementary Teacher of the Year Melissa Kinkeade is congratulated by the IISD Board of Trustees.

Secondary Teacher of the Year Sharon Gross is congratulated by the IISD Board of Trustees.