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- Crowley Independent School District
- School Board Appreciation Month
January is School Board Recognition Month
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Forward, Together!
Crowley ISD joins school districts across the state in celebrating January as School Board Recognition Month. The 2023 theme is "Forward, Together" and highlights the collaboration among school leadership, teachers, and parents on behalf of students.
Our trustees are extraordinary volunteers who play a crucial role in our schools and in our community. They receive no pay for their dedicated efforts. They not only volunteer their time and effort for our local schools, but they also speak up for our system of public education on a statewide level. They are your neighbors and they care.
These public servants attend meetings, read detailed reports, listen to parents’ concerns and do the hard work to benefit the students and the community at large. They bring a variety of skills and backgrounds to their task, and they take their responsibilities seriously. And the whole community benefits from their vigilance in providing great schools.
Each January, we pause in our regular activities to say thank you to these dedicated volunteers. We appreciate their generous sharing of time and energy on behalf of our children and our communities. Local school board members are an all-star team, focused on our schools. Join us in celebrating School Board Recognition Month in January by expressing your support and gratitude to them.
School Board Q&A
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Meet President Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield
Board President Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield is a proud parent of one CISD graduate now in college and a current high school student in the district. She has served on the board since 2018 and was elected president in May 2021.
What is your favorite part about serving on the Crowley ISD School Board?First and foremost, my favorite part is seeing the academic achievement and improvement across the district. With hard work and dedication from our campus and district leaders, teachers, staff, as well as from our students, the academic growth is phenomenal! I am also proud of our students' accomplishments in athletics, fine arts and student leadership. As a district, we truly support the whole child and our students' achievements in so many areas exemplify that.
What has been the most important project or decision you've been part of while on the Board?There are too many to name just one, but as an overarching important decision, one that I truly believe has propelled us to a higher standard of excellence, is hiring Dr. Michael McFarland. His vision, expertise and passion have catapulted our district from an average district to a high-performing district. Dr. McFarland never stops working for our district and our students are the ultimate winners because of it.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?By far, my favorite teacher EVER is Mrs. Ernestine Rose, my high school English and Drama teacher. She believed in me, and she encouraged me to excel. She was a nurturer and did not accept anything less than my best. She was talented in her own right and had a warm sense of humor and motherly kindness. She was a magnet to all of us and we are friends to this day. Fun fact: Two-time Emmy winning TV host Tamron Hall also named Mrs. Rose as her favorite teacher and welcomed her to her show last month! Tamron was one grade ahead of me at Polytechnic Magnet High School.
What was your favorite subject in school?In high school, I loved English. My favorite college course was Interpersonal Communications while receiving my undergraduate degree from TCU.
If you could make a wish for Crowley ISD, what would it be?That ALL our stakeholders are working collaboratively towards our goals of being top in Tarrant County and, ultimately, the top in Texas and the nation. -
Meet Vice President Gary Grassia
The Fort Worth business owner is a proud parent of three daughters that attended schools in Crowley ISD from kindergarten through graduations from North Crowley High School.
What is your favorite part about serving on the Crowley ISD School Board?
What has been the most important project or decision you've been part of while on the board?The technology package that we voted on to ensure every Crowley ISD student has access to technology. Access to the internet is crucial in today's climate, so for every secondary student have their own personal device and every primary student have access to classroom devices helps ensure equality in learning.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?Mr. Sullivan at Greenbrier Elementary. He was my fifth-grade teacher and he would read "Where the Sidewalk Ends" after lunch. He made reading fun.
Do you have any hidden talents?It’s not very hidden, but I play trombone.
If you could make a wish for Crowley ISD, what would it be?I wish that every student could have that one teacher that makes a lifelong difference. -
Meet Board Secretary Nedra Robinson
As a former teacher and mother of two CISD students, board secretary Nedra Robinson understands how a high-quality education can change the trajectory of a family.What is your favorite part about serving on the Crowley ISD School Board?I absolutely love serving my community and knowing that the decisions we make on the board will positively impact students for years to come. Additionally, CISD is a suburban community with a small-town feel. I enjoy interacting with constituents and hearing their perspective when I'm out doing mundane things. It's just a place where everyone knows everyone. Crowley ISD epitomizes "acting like a family."
What has been the most important project or decision you've been part of while on the board?I am a former middle school Pre-AP math teacher, and I remembered wondering why some students weren't in my class, because they had higher STAAR scores than many of my rostered students. With that knowledge, I asked Dr. McFarland how our students were referred to GATE and enrolled in advanced courses at the secondary level. The district conducted an equity audit and found areas with underrepresentation. Our GATE process changed to universal screening and students were tested at the secondary level. During the pandemic, we audited our advanced programs and changed some enrollment practices. I believe my decision to speak up and ask questions provided greater opportunities for several students that they may not have had otherwise.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?My favorite teacher was my senior Sociology teacher, Mrs. Selden. My dad served in the U.S. Air Force, and I attended school in Turkey for 7th- 9th grade. Then my family moved to F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and I attended school there for 10th–12th grade. During my senior year, Mrs. Seldon reminded me so much of my time in Turkey. She wore a burqa on the first day of class and brought items from Afghanistan because she lived there for a while and had just returned from Kabul when I met her. Part of our sociology grade was volunteerism and advocacy. I helped my dad deliver Meals on Wheels, and I loved volunteering so much that I continued even after I had earned the required number of hours.
Since Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming, my classmates and I were tasked with developing a proposing to take to the Wyoming legislature. In the late 1990s, Wyoming, Texas, and Louisiana were the only states remaining that did not pass the .08 blood alcohol level for drunk driving. I created a survey with my peers and took the results to the Wyoming legislature. In 1998, President Clinton signed the .08 blood alcohol level into federal law. Needless to say, Mrs. Selden had a great impact on my life. So much so that I majored in sociology in undergrad. I thought being a sociologist would allow me to study people and cultures and travel the world as I did growing up in the Air Force.
Do you have any hidden talents?I can make animal balloons. I started when I was in high school at around 16 or 17 years old. I worked at the Diamond-Hill Jarvis Library from 2000-2004, and I would assist in making balloon animals during our annual library celebrations and wellness fairs. I even made them as a teacher for field day one year.
If you could make a wish for Crowley ISD, what would it be?I want Crowley ISD to be a rockstar, top in Tarrant County, triple A district in all domains where all students flourish and thrive. -
Meet Assistant Board Secretary Daryl R. Davis, II
Newly elected in May 2022, assistant board secretary Daryl R. Davis, II has jumped into his new role with excitement and an eagerness to serve our students well.What is your favorite part about serving on the Crowley ISD School Board?My absolute favorite thing about serving on the board is celebrating student and staff achievements. Whether it's on campuses or during board meetings, I love being able to celebrate the great things that are happening in Crowley ISD. We have phenomenal students, teachers and staff and highlighting their hard work always brings me a great sense of pride and joy.What has been the most important project or decision you've been part of while on the board?I have the privilege of serving on the policy committee for CISD. After an issue arose with the signup process for public comment at our board meetings, I was able to make a recommendation for how stakeholders sign up to speak. Being able to work with our amazing staff and fellow committee members to craft a solution to that problem was rewarding for me. While it was a minor change in our policy, I believe it will have a major impact on our district. Hearing from our constituents and stakeholders is vitally important and we want to make the process of doing so as simple as possible.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?I have two former teachers to honor. Mrs. Laura Adams was my third and fifth grade teacher. She demonstrated a love and compassion for her students that I never experienced prior to her being my teacher. She made learning fun and exciting, but always kept an orderly classroom. I engaged with many of my students the way Mrs. Adams engaged with me when I was her student. Ms. Ernestine Rose was my high school English and theatre arts teacher. She challenged me in ways that made me better. She held me accountable, even talking to my dad at football games, because she saw my potential and never allowed me to settle for being average. These two women are the reason that I'm an educator today.
Do you have any hidden talents?I play several instruments. While I haven't played any of them in many years, I am able to play the piano, drums, French horn and baritone. I'm also a former high school drum major.
If you could make a wish for Crowley ISD, what would it be?My wish would be able to directly impact every student that lives within the borders of our district. I know some parents feel more comfortable choosing other systems and institutions for their children, but I firmly believe that Crowley ISD is the BEST option for educating the students in our area. -
Meet Trustee Dr. Mia Hall
Dr. Mia Hall has served on the Crowley ISD board since 2015 and is the proud parent of a CISD graduate. She believes education is the key that unlocks every opportunity.What is your favorite part about serving on the Crowley ISD School Board?My favorite part of serving on the Crowley ISD school board is my service to my community. As a 22-year public education veteran, I understand the impact education can make in the lives of students and their families. A quality education alters the trajectory of our students lives, and as a board trustee, I have influence on whether that impact will be positive or negative. My service to Crowley ISD is a sacred responsibility and among my favorite privileges.
What has been the most important project or decision you've been part of while on the board?This is a really difficult question, because trustees are often faced with challenging decisions. Unfunded mandates are ever-increasing. School accountability is a moving target, and societal challenges constantly pose a risk to our students' safety. Most of our decisions are important. But if I had to narrow it to one project or decision, I consider our service during the pandemic as our greatest feat. We didn't always have the answers and when we thought we did, we weren't always right. We were thrown curveball after curveball. Even still, we didn't falter, and we always kept students, staff, their families and stakeholders our primary focus. I can't recall a time in my tenure when our board has stood more resolute, and I am tremendously proud of how we persevered through one of the gravest challenges faced by school systems.
Who was your favorite teacher?Memories of my favorite teachers have been replaced with memories of my son's teachers and my memories as an educator. I've had the fortune of knowing a lot of super-talented teachers over the years. If it counts, my favorite professor was Dr. Christie Bledsoe while attending the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She exemplified the perfect balance of high expectations, grace, encouragement and professional expertise. She had an uncanny ability to calm your anxieties and convince you that you could do absolutely anything you set out to accomplish.
What was your favorite subject in school?Theatre arts
Do you have any hidden talents?I'm handy around the house. I paint well and I can do light electrical work. I know my way around a miter saw and enjoy doing home improvements. People also find it shocking that I can cook. I specialize in soul food and southern cuisine.
If you could make a wish for Crowley ISD, what would it be?I wish that we could meet the needs of every student, every day, and that we could keep them all safe beyond our campus doors. -
Meet Trustee June W. Davis - COMING SOON
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Meet Trustee Kelicia Stevenson
Newly elected in May 2022, trustee Kelicia Stevenson is a proud parent of four North Crowley High School graduates, and her granddaughter currently attends Crowley Middle School.
What is your favorite part about serving on the Crowley ISD School Board?
What has been the most important project or decision you've been part of while on the board?We wouldn’t have the growth and achievements in the classroom without the hard work of our teachers and staff, so one of the most important decisions that I’ve been a part of is approving pay raises for our teachers and campus staff.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?My first-grade teacher Mrs. Horn has always stood out to me. She made learning fun and she always greeted me with a smile. While it seems like a little thing, it made a huge impression on me as a young student.
Do you have any hidden talents?I enjoy acting and writing plays.
If you could make a wish for Crowley ISD, what would it be?For the students and families in our community, I want Crowley ISD to be known as the best school district in the country with opportunities for all.
