Texas commissioner of education praises Waller ISD at convocation

Texas Commissioner of Education Dr. Shirley Neeley was welcomed by all of Waller ISD’s faculty and staff at convocation Aug. 10. With great enthusiasm, Neeley spoke of how Waller ISD is “doing it (education) right.” She praised WISD Superintendent Richard McReavy on his opening recognition of all faculty and staff members; from maintenance and food service, to curriculum and instruction, to the teachers in the classroom; it takes everyone working together to “do it right,” she said. 
     Neeley noted the tradition and pride in Waller ISD exemplified in the brother and sister duo, Robert Smith and Shelly Smith Elizalde, who were respectively named the Secondary and Elementary Teachers of the Year in WISD. Not only is this a first for the District, and Educational Service Center Region IV, Neeley believes this is a first for the state of Texas. Someone in the Smith family has been working in Waller ISD since 1887.
     She congratulated all four of Waller ISD’s elementary schools for earning TEA “Recognized” status and knocking on the door of “Exemplary” status. She urged the District as a whole to go for “Exemplary” status, “don’t settle for recognized,” she encouraged noting that she would make a special trip to Waller ISD on her prized Harley Davidson if her challenge is met.
     She loves that Waller ISD offers programs like FFA (Future Farmers of America) and ROTC to its students. These are the kinds of things that create a college-going culture.
     Speaking of creating a college-going culture, Neeley addressed the recently passed House Bill 1. Some believe the bill will be the end of athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular activities. According to the Texas commissioner of education, this is not true. “These are the programs that make school fun,” and create leadership opportunities, Neeley said. Among the changes in H.B. 1 is a “Four by Four” which requires students to take four years of English, math, science, and social studies. “It’s the right thing to do,” she said. It will help the state, and the District, meet its goal of creating a “college-going culture.”
     Neeley reminded teachers that they are not “just” teachers; they are “serving our nation through education.”