Community Profile - Local educators

Community Profile - Local educators

Saturday, 07 July 2007

Sandra Stewart, Cedar Park Middle School principal

Sandra Stewart has been employed in LISD for 26 years. As a member of the PTA, she enjoyed working with the district and began substitute teaching. After a year, she was hired as the science teacher for Leander Junior High School.

Next, she became department head. Stewart decided to go back to school after 20 years to get her master’s degree and was hired as the first woman principal at the junior high level in the district.

In 1995, Cedar Park Middle School opened, and Stewart has remained its principal since.

“I am interested in how people learn, motivating them and keeping them engaged,” Stewart said. “I want to see, learn and do everything. I am a learner and I like to know how to make things better.”

Q. What changes have you seen in the district?

A. It has gone from a small town to a huge suburban area. We were chasing Round Rock ISD, but now we are on par with them. The district has handled the growth beautifully with grace and style because of our wonderful board members. We have satisfied the growth monster while maintaining our core values.

Q. What is the best/worst part of your job?

A. The best part is being able to see kids grow, mature, learn and be successful. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade years are difficult because of the physical and mental changes. It is great to be able to see the kids make it through that gauntlet and to see that they know their teachers have their best interest at mind. The worst part is seeing young people make poor decisions that have huge consequences. Even though they make bad decisions, they must realize that it is not the end of the world. The important thing is that they learn from their mistakes and don’t do it again. There are no problems we can’t fix together.

Q. What do you want your students to remember you for?

A. When I was a science teacher, the kids said I was strict, structured, very open and fair. They could come to me and work through any problems. To young people, strict translates to mean. I want to be remembered as having integrity and being ethical, open and fair. I am very strict and have very high standards.

Q. Who was your favorite teacher?

A. My 11th grade chemistry teacher, Sister Mary James. As a student, I was not particularly studious. She recognized my insecurity and could tell I was worried and she told me, “Chemistry is difficult and hard, but I will help you. Together, we can do it.” Because of her, I realized I wanted to teach science, too. I like teaching science to be able to help kids.

• Education: Bachelors in education, University of Chattanooga; Masters in education, Southwest Texas University
• Family: Husband, David, and two children, Ellen and David
• Contact Information: Sandra.Stewart@LeanderISD.org, 434-5025

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Monta Akin, Assistant superintendent for instructional services

As a life-long learner, Monta Akin has been devoted to the development of Leander ISD for the past 31 years.

Her goal is for every student to get the best education in the best schools possible.

“A good school is one where every child leaves as a confident learner, knowing how to learn and prepared to continue to follow their hopes and dreams,” she said.

Akin has grown with the district, moving from teacher and reading specialist to the gifted and talented program to the central office, where she became assistant superintendent for instructional services.

She has seen the district develop from a small rural one to a respected suburban district, and she credits that to Superintendent Tom Glenn’s leadership.

Q. What changes have you seen in the district?

A. Growth is the biggest. The changes, like just the sheer magnitude of people, changes in businesses and the fact that this is no longer a rural community but a suburban community. It has been exciting to turn it into a district that is well respected, not just in the area, but in the nation. We’ve improved and we changed the system.

Q. What is the best/worst part of your job?

A. The downs are when you can’t accomplish things as quickly as you want to. The ups have been that I have been able to be a part of making a difference in children’s lives, and that is an incredible honor to be able to be a part of that. And as the district has grown, my job has changed. So, I have never been bored. There is always something to learn. Learning is one of the most exciting things you can do.

Q. What do you want your students to remember you for?

A. I would hope that they would remember me as a learner myself, and that I am somebody that encourages and supports their learning. Hopefully they would remember me as someone who never forgot why we are here; to make a difference in their lives.

Q. Who was your favorite teacher?

A. The one that stands out in my mind is Mrs. Shrake. She was my third and fourth-grade teacher. Her classroom was abuzz with learning. She had animals and places to go write and read. In those days, things were very traditional with sitting in your seat, both feet on the floor with hands folded. As long as you were getting your work done, she would encourage you to explore beyond the regular curriculum and learn what was important to you. I don’t think you can ask for better than that.

• Education: Bachelors in elementary education and Masters in reading, University of Texas; certification in administration and curriculum instruction, Texas State University
• Family: Husband, Jim Roberson, daughter, Melissa Eckhoff and grandson, Alex Eckhoff
• Contact Information: Monta.Akin@LeanderISD.org, 434-5100