Board of Trustees

Randy Stipes, President
Michael Hill, Vice President
Ken Murray, Secretary

Torrell-Edwards & Overturf Honored as Teachers of the Year

Danna Torrell-Edwards, third grade ESL teacher at Elliott, and Kay Overturf, business computer information systems teacher at Irving High, were honored as this year’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year at a meeting of the Board of Trustees held in the MacArthur auditorium.

Both teachers received an engraved plaque, a cell phone from Nokia, the use of a car for one year from Don Herring Mitsubishi, a piece of jewelry from Gold ’n Carats, a photo by Lifetouch, and $500 from the Irving Schools Foundation. Torrell-Edwards and Overturf were chosen from among 37 Campus Teachers of the Year across the district.

Torrell-Edwards has taught third grade ESL at Elliott since joining IISD three years ago. She previously worked for the Kent school district in Washington. Torrell-Edwards holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on multicultural education from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Washington State University.

Because of her interest in different cultures, Torrell-Edwards strongly believes that a multicultural classroom can make for a thriving learning environment.

“Developing strong, positive relationships with my students is something I invest a great deal of time in each year,” she said.

Overturf has taught business education courses at Irving High for 24 years. A graduate of the University of North Texas, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Overturf, a graduate of Irving High, came home to teach in 1982 following a year in Executive Secretarial School.

Since many of her students will have careers in jobs that have not yet been defined, Overturf said it presents a tremendous academic challenge that she enthusiastically accepts.

“I strive to teach today’s technical skills in such a way that students master the learning process and develop problem-solving skills to prepare them for the ever-changing world ahead,” she said.

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

Members of IISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Jack Singley congratulate Danna Torrell-Edwards, third grade ESL teacher at Elliott Elementary School, as Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Members of IISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Jack Singley congratulate Kay Overturf, business computer information systems teacher at Irving High School, as Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Campus Teachers of the Year Recognized

Campus Teachers of the Year, chosen from the 37 IISD schools, were recognized at the Board meeting. The Board presented each Campus Teacher of the Year with a framed certificate, a cell phone from Nokia, and $200 from the Irving Schools Foundation.

Campus Teachers of the Year are: Evelyn Banks, MacArthur, math; Dionn Duffy Dahl, social studies, Nimitz; Kenneth Austin, social studies, Academy; Debra Kaufman, art, Union Bower; Paula Barbee, social studies, Austin; David Fontenot, social studies, Bowie; Trish Sartor, science, Crockett; Wendy Bennett, math, de Zavala; Jo Wallace, science, Houston; Julie Garner, science, Lamar; James Scrivner, technology education, Travis; Amanda Collins, Secondary Reassignment; Will Thomas, special education, Wheeler Transitional; Robert Rain, creative dramatics, Barton; Maria Merida, fourth and fifth grade bilingual, Brandenburg; Kristy Brooks, first grade bilingual, Britain; Shannon Cole, fourth grade, Brown; Luz Amezaga, second grade bilingual, Davis; Julie Muse, special education/inclusion, Farine; James Tiggeman, third grade, Gilbert; Diana Shaw, second grade bilingual, Good; Maria Nava, first grade bilingual, John Haley; Madeline Geary, physical education, Thomas Haley; Annie Jenkins, fifth grade, Hanes; Kitty Struchen, third grade, Johnston; Mikie Kindsfather, instructional technology specialist, Keyes; Jean Richards, reading recovery, Lee; Hugo Soriano, fifth grade bilingual, Lively; Jill Villasanti, second grade bilingual, Schulze; Reginia Geyer, fourth grade, Townley; Kelly Matlock, second grade, Townsell; Madelyn Seda, prekindergarten bilingual, Clifton; Rosana Hightower, prekindergarten bilingual, Kinkeade; Lisa Treadway, prekindergarten bilingual, Pierce; and Jennifer Mosley, fifth grade, Elementary Development Center.

In Other Business, Trustees: