December School Board Recognition 2023

Student Spotlight
Makayla Altstock, Mountain Springs Elementary

One of Makayla’s teachers describes her as a shining star in the classroom and our school by making sure everyone feels loved and included. Makayla is kind to others, in fact, she goes out of her way to include everyone. She passes out written affirmations on sticky notes to ensure her class family feels lifted up. If she sees someone upset such as on the playground, she will go to them, put her arm around them, and tell them it is going to be okay. She has a great awareness beyond her 9 years. Makayla's empathetic nature makes her a friend to all.

Makayla is truly gifted when it comes to schoolwork. She is a continuous learner and works so hard at whatever goal or incentive she is working toward. She strives to always do her very best on whatever assignment or assessment she is working on. Mountain Springs Elementary is blessed to have amazing students, especially Makayla Altstock!

PLC Building Recognition
Brandy Gwatney, Mountain Springs Elementary

Brandy Gwatney has been teaching for 27 years with the last 14 years at Mountain Springs Elementary. She has been a part of MSE since the beginning and has always gone above and beyond, not only for our students, but also staff members, and for all of our MSE families. Mrs. Gwatney serves on our Building Leadership Team where she is highly respected by all staff members. She also is participating in additional math training to help facilitate our PLC process in math. She has always been data driven and she uses this data to guide her instruction even before our school dove into the PLC process. She leads our staff to ensure our mission/vision is followed and learning for all students in evident.

As a teacher, Mrs. Gwatney knows every single child’s strengths and/or weaknesses by heart in her class. She comes in early and stays late most days in order to tutor students in our building. She treats her students as if they were her own children. She builds wonderful relationships with her students and their families and has been the recipient of many Life Impact Awards from her previous students. Mrs. Gwatney is an outstanding representative of what every teacher in our school, in Cabot, or state should be!

Student Spotlight
Maverick Hall, Northside Elementary

Maverick, with his blonde hair and genuine smile, brings joy wherever he goes. He is always eager to greet people and to bring joy to their faces. Maverick has made leaps and bounds this year as he learns to read. He began the year only able to identify a few letters. Within just five months, he has been able to learn all of his letters and sounds and is beginning to blend sounds to make words. With his work ethic and genial personality, he will do great things in life. He is always eager to say, "Northside loves you!"

PLC Building Recognition
Tina Walden and Kristen Schisler

Mrs. Walden is a K-1st Inclusion Teacher. She goes above and beyond daily to make sure that her kids get every single opportunity they need to be successful. Through the cycle of inquiry in the PLC process and her leadership in inclusive practices for all kids, she has made huge impacts with her students. Kiddos who would have previously been secluded for most of the day in special classrooms are now being successful in the general education classroom and being exposed to grade level content while still getting their individual needs met. Along with her co-teachers Sarah Miley and Kristen Schisler, she has been showcased all across the state for the way that she has implemented inclusion. She is a true blessing to Northside!

Mrs. Schisler is a first grade teacher who just ROCKS! When you walk into her classroom, you just see how engaged and eager her students are. She truly understands the art of active engagement and has her students participating with kinesthetic and audible responses constantly. By participating in cycles of inquiry through the PLC process, along with her co-teacher Mrs. Walden, she is making sure that ALL students are reaching mastery on the standards they have determined are most essential for first graders to know. She is a leader on her team and in the building and we are grateful to have her at Northside.

School Board Officers

Sarah Owen will remain President of the Cabot School Board. Joe Trusty will now serve as Vice President and Dr. James Hertzog as Secretary.