February Teacher of the Month - Mr. David

Every month we like to shine our spotlight on a great teacher here at Huntington. This month, we're proud to honor Mr. David as the February Teacher of the Month!

How long have you been teaching?
11 years at Huntington, and 18 years all together.

What are your favorite subjects?
As a student, it was recess!! Now, I enjoy teaching math and science.

What is your all-time favorite book?
Petey and I (Golden Books)

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I'm not a big traveler, so wherever my better half tells me wants to go.

What you are not teaching, what do you enjoy doing? 
Playing and listening to music.

Last, tell us three random facts about you!
1. I lived in New Jersey.
2. I became a lifeguard at age 15.
3. I will give you baseball cards, even if you don't ask for them.



Thanks for sharing Mr. David! And, most importantly, thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of learning with our students.

December Teach of the Month - Mr. John

Our last Teacher of the Month for 2014 is Mr. John! Not only is he a great teacher, but he's also the center Assistant Director!

How long have you been teaching?
35 years!

What are your favorite subjects?
Math and Computer Science are my favorites.

What is your all-time favorite book?
Watership Down by Richard Adams. It was originally published in November 1972.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would go back to my boyhood home in the mountains of West Sumatra.

What you are not teaching, what do you enjoy doing? 
I enjoy playing bakgammon and bass guitar. I also like sailing, and playing disc golf.

Last, tell us three random facts about you!
1. I read a lot!
2. I do cross stitch.
3. I'm on a mission to get all high schools in Texas to teach computer science.

Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself Mr. John, and thank you for being such a great teacher and employee. Most importantly, thank you for sharing your knowledge with out students!

We Are Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Today is a wonderful day to celebrate with family, friends, and take some time to reflect on the things for which we are truly thankful. We asked some of our students and teachers what they are thankful for this year, and here's what they had to say.......

Friendship - Ryan G.

Life - Danny D.

iPad - Luke R.

Friends - Kendall R.

Family - Molly P.

Being alive and in Austin - Mr. Dave

My dog - Mr. Jim

My health and freedom to do what I want - Mr. John

Life - Ms. Tommie Jean

We are so thankful for our awesome students and parents, and our amazing teachers! We hope you have a great day full of love and turkey!

Why Does Ms. Sherry Love Shel Silverstein?

Have you have ever read a poem by Shel Silverstein?  The topics are what kids love!  Jimmy Jet and the TV Set, Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Who Would Not Take The Garbage Out, and The Dirtiest Man In the World all speak to kids.  The poems appeal to everyone's inner child too, so you don't have to be a youngster to enjoy Shel Silverstein.  

At Huntington I often recommend that parents read to their kids from Silverstein's books; just pick a poem or two and READ! The poems can be shorter than a story but just as entertaining.   A short poem is perfect for practicing handwriting too.  Make sure you read it through a few times before asking your student to copy it.  If the poem is a long one, ask them to copy their favorite lines.  Kids don't mind practicing when you have lines like this:

Milford Dupree, though he knew it was rude, 

Talked with his mouth full of food.

He never would burp or walk out in the nude,.....

From the poem "WITH HIS MOUTH FULL OF FOOD" in the book, Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. 

Books by Silverstein rarely show up at Half Price Books because people love them so much they never throw them out.  If you don't own a book by Silverstein, rush out and get one soon.  

SICK

"I cannot go to school today,"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps, 

A gash, a rash and purple bumps......

it goes on for 27 more lines and ends,

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

 

 

 

 

What's your favorite Shel Silverstein poem?

October Teacher of the Month - Mr. Steven

This month, we are excited to crown Mr. Steven our Teacher of the Month! He has brought his amazing math skills to our center, and has been a huge asset to our students and our staff.

How long have you been teaching at Huntington?
One year.

What are your favorite subjects?
I love math and physics.

What drew you to teaching here at Huntington?
From helping my daughter with homework and my few experiences coaching volleyball, I realized that I like teaching and sharing the knowledge I have.

How is teaching at Huntington different from teaching in the classroom?
I don't know, I've never taught anywhere else.

What you are not teaching, what do you enjoy doing? 
I play volleyball and video games, and enjoy hanging out with my daughter and girlfriend.

Last, tell us three random facts about you!
1. My Wednesdays are always booked up because I play in volleyball leagues downtown.
2. I spent 6 years living in Okinawa when I was young.
3. I am a graduate of Lake Travis High School.

Many thanks to Mr. Steven for sharing a bit about himself, and for being such a great teacher. Huntington's students and teachers are grateful for your hard work!