THE STEAM TEAM
Please feel free to contact us with pressing questions.
Shayla LewisCeleste Jr. High Math Teacher/Campus Technology Specialist
Let me just say that I love my job. This is my 11th year in education. Currently, I teach 8th grade math at Celeste Junior High, as well as, 6th, 7th and 8th grade technology applications. I began my career in a fourth grade classroom, teaching reading, writing, math, history, science, health, art & music. Five years later, I transitioned to the junior campus teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade math. I understand the challenge of time, amount of material and weight of standardized testing. In my experience as an educator, it is technology in the hands of students that can bind that curriculum together and promote student growth. My favorite moments are when students get excited to share something they have created digitally. It’s not often that a student gets excited about correctly answering questions on a skill sheet, but give them a topic, tech tool and creative freedom and they will beam with pride showing their accomplishment. When it comes to teaching my students about different technology tools, I let them know that I don’t have all the answers or know all the bells and whistles to every software, app or online tool. Students will take on the challenge to figure out something that I couldn’t show them. Don’t feel that you have to know exactly how it all works. I encourage you to present the tools to your students and let them teach you something new. I believe it is technology that will allow us as educators to reach our greatest potential. |
Julie DillardCeleste ISD Librarian/Technology Director
Howdy! My name is Julie Dillard. I currently serve as the Celeste ISD Library Media Specialist, Technology Director, Instructional Technology Director, TEKS Resource Administrator, Project Share Administrator, GradPoint Administrator, UIL & Book Club Sponsor, Webmaster, and CISD Public Relations! With technology, I climb mountains everyday. Each day brings new challenges. Technology is growing exponentially which makes my job extremely fast paced! Benefits of my job: I never get bored, I never stop learning, there is always work to do. My passion is books! As a young child, I loved to visit the library. As a teacher, I loved to integrate literature into every aspect of the curriculum, and now that I am a librarian, I love to help students of all ages connect with a good book. In 2008, I was honored when I received the TCEA Librarian of the Year! Books can take you on a journey, build character, inspire, provide comfort and joy and of course . . . educate! |
Nicole HicksCeleste Jr. High ELA Teacher/Coding Instructor/Farmersville Intermediate Assistant Principal
Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding professions. I taught first graders for six years. After having my son, I decided to be a stay-at-home mother. When my son began school, I walked back into the classroom after five years. I was amazed at how teaching had changed in the short time I was out of education. When I returned to the classroom, I began teaching middle school ELA. I realized that teaching six-year-olds and pre-teen/ teenagers really wasn't that different....they were still kids! At the end of my first day in a middle school classroom, my love for teaching was rekindled. I enjoy integrating technology and learning new ways to excite and challenge my students. One of the highlights of my teaching career was being named 2014 TCEA Classroom Teacher of the Year Finalist. I have a passion for sharing what my students create in my classroom, as well as teaching teachers. I leave you with these final words: “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” - Bill Gates |