Home   |  Search Articles  |  Past Issues

January 10, 2005 Board Meeting

Betts Honored as Teacher of the Month

Kristi Betts, librarian and instructional technology specialist at Kinkeade, was honored as Teacher of the Month for January. With 11 years of service to the district, Betts has been a teacher and librarian. She played a critical role in the creation of the library program at IISD early childhood schools, and more recently, co-developed the Families Reading Together Program at Kinkeade, a bilingual reading initiative that received a Highsmith Award for Most Innovative Library in Texas for 2004.

Betts is a member of the American Library Association and the Texas Library Association. She has presented at the American Association of School Librarians conference and Dallas ISD inservice.

Betts is involved in community activities as well, serving as the official photographer for the Irving Boys Choir of which her son is a member, singing in the choir herself at First Christian Church, taking part in the Britain PTA, and serving as a judge for Destination Imagination meets.

“Mrs. Betts is an excellent role model to the students and teachers,” Kinkeade Principal Stacy Blevins said. “She is an asset to our school and to the Irving Independent School District.”

Back to top

Kristi Betts, January 2005 Teacher of the Month (right), is congratulated by Trustee Nita Patrick.

Burcham Recognized as Employee of the Month

Melissa Burcham, food service manager at Good, was recognized as Employee of the Month for January. Burcham has worked in IISD food service for four years, formerly working at Keyes. She completed the food service manager trainee program last year and this is her first year as a cafeteria manager.

“It is truly a pleasure to work with Melissa each day,” her supervisor Pam Reeder said.

Burcham and her husband have five children. She volunteers with her son’s boy scout troop and at Lively, where two of her children attend. In her free time, she enjoys buying and selling on EBay.

Back to top

Trustees Thanked for Service

Students and staff honored Irving ISD Trustees with song and gift in keeping with the statewide observance of School Board Recognition Month. Members of the Irving High Singer Company show choir thanked Trustees for their service with a tailor-made rendition of “Keeping the Dream Alive”. The Singer Company is directed by IHS choir teacher Karen Thomas. Academy Student Council President Ruth Carthen addressed the Board and students also presented gifts of appreciation.

Irving ISD Trustees are: Barbara Cardwell, president, 18 years of service; Ruben Franco, vice president, five years of service; Randy Stipes, secretary, five years of service; Jerry Christian, one year of service; Michael Hill, three years of service; Ken Murray, one year of service; and Nita Patrick, one year of service.

Back to top

In Other Business, Trustees:

Katie Marks and Trustee Barbara Cardwell

Amy Bellows and Trustee Ruben Franco

Stefanie Cabra and Trustee Randy Stipes

Alexandra Lewis and Trustee Jerry Christian

Kristi Moro and Trustee Michael Hill

Alyssa Allen and Trustee Ken Murray