Stevens HS Rocks!!

On Sunday I made my trip west on I-10 to San Antonio to speak at Stevens HS in Northside ISD. Talk about a phenomenally BEAUTIFUL campus!! Wow, this place was amazing. Using the same architects as Cy-Fair ISD, just northwest of Houston, Northside ISD built an incredible school for their kiddos. I can always get a "feel" for a school as soon as I walk in a school. And, when I entered Stevens HS, it was obvious by the cleanliness and the organization and signs that this was a place full of spirit and pride where teachers really care about their students.

The first person I met was Michelle Craig, the Academic Dean of the school. She arranged for me to come to the school and was a wonderful host. She's a dynamic lady and obviously worked exceptionally hard to put together a wonderful day for the teachers. It turned out to be a great day speaking to their team.

I even had a few minutes to re-connect with a student I had not seen since she was in kindergarten -Nikki Sweirc. I taught with her mom Peggy Sweirc and her dad "Big Sammy" Sweirc in Pettus ISD almost 20 years ago. Peggy and Sam are now in Kemp ISD and are both some if the finest educators of have ever met. So much of what I learned about effective teaching I learned by watching them. Nikki followed in her parents' footsteps and is now a teacher at Stevens HS. Wow! What a reminder of just how old I am!!

On a side note: On my way to San Antonio, and on my way back home, I ALWAYS make a special stop along the way at Bucee's. For those of you not from Texas and have never been, Bucee's is one of those places that you'd have to see to believe. Just imagine: a gas station in the middle of nowhere with dozens and dozens of pumps that you have to wait in line for no matter what day of the week where you can also buy jewelry, buffalo jerky, homemade fudge, a sling shot, and just about everything imaginable that you could print a beaver on. Like I said, you'd have to see it to believe it!

Rock on!