LaMell Named Top Administrator

FRIENDSWOOD-The Texas Association of Journalism Educators has announced that Clear Brook High School principal Kristi LaMell has been named TAJE Administrator of the Year for 2008. Ms. LaMell will receive the recognition at the University Interscholastic League-sponsored Interscholastic League Press Conference Convention at the University of Texas in Austin in April.
LaMell was nominated and chosen to receive the award based on her support and dedication to the journalism students and staff at Clear Brook High School, and for her efforts in re-establishing a student newspaper at the high school and for expanding the school’s journalism program. She is the first principal in Clear Creek ISD to receive the award.
Richard J. Kotrla, journalism teacher and newspaper advisor at Clear Brook High School, nominated LaMell for the award.
“Kristi LaMell is committed to student journalism at Clear Brook High School,” said Kotrla. “She recognizes the importance of having a student newspaper, and allowing students to practice responsible and uncensored journalism.”
“She also cares about education and its integrity,” said Kotrla. “She loves each student unconditionally and she nurtures every teacher on our faculty. She is everything I wish every high school in America could have in a principal.”
The Texas Association of Journalism Educators, an affiliate of the Journalism Education Association, supports free and responsible scholastic journalism to students and staff in the state. The organization provides resources and educational opportunities, encourages and rewards student excellence and teacher achievement and fosters an atmosphere that encompasses diversity while building unity.
The Journalism Education Association is the only independent national scholastic journalism organization for teachers and advisers.
For more information about Texas Association of Journalism Educators, visit their Web site at www.taje.org.

CCISD high schools go to seven in two years

By ZACH PETTIGREW
For The Connection

The CCISD Board of Trustees approved the seven-period day schedule for the 2009-2010 school year, scrapping the AB-8 schedule that had been previously chosen. Each of the district’s four comprehensive schools (Brook, Creek, Lake, and Springs) will maintain its current schedule for the 2008-2009 school year.
The AB-8 schedule would have meant that each student would attend each class three times a week. Two A days, two would be B days, and a final C day, consisting of all eight periods, would make up one week.
With this schedule, each class would have met three times a week, unlike this year’s two and three times a week (depending on what day the week started). It would allow 32 credit opportunities, but students would not meet everyday in their core and elective classes. Under this schedule, only band would be double-blocked.

Teachers receive ‘Crystal Teacher Award’

By JAN RAMOS
For The Connection

It’s crystal clear.
Clear Brook’s Ms. Jernigan and Ms. Stone deserved the Crystal Teacher Award.
The Crystal Teacher Award is for outstanding teachers who make a difference for the students. The Houston Chronicle and the Spring Branch ISD Education Foundation sponsor it. They take nominations including parents and students.
“Brook had another winner a few years ago, Mr. John Hornik but this year we have two. It’s the first time in the history of the awards to have two teachers selected from the same school,” Ms. Zoch, assistant principal, said.
What did Ms. Jernigan and Ms. Stone get for being outstanding teachers?
“They were given prizes, including a crystal apple, and honored at a gala dinner and reception Friday, Feb. 29 at the Westin Galleria Ballroom along with their families, Ms. LaMell, Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, and I,” Ms. Zoch said.
How did the two teachers feel about it?