Scores of data tell us that Wylie ISD kids are more and more prepared for college, despite state and national scores stagnating or falling. Behind the statistics are great kids with tremendous stories. Wylie East Senior Esteban Figueroa is the first in his family to get accepted into college. Esteban has received a full scholarship to YALE!!!!
Esteban would be the first to tell you that he didn’t achieve this on his own. Behind these ordinary miracles that seem to occur often in our schools is a teacher. In his own words, “Mr. Patterson inspired me to be who I am now.”
“Mr. Patterson inspired me to be who I am now.”
Ross Patterson was Esteban’s band director at Burnett Junior High and one excellent teacher and just a good human. Ross’s unique combination of hope, love, and high expectations helped Esteban create and pursue a personal and academic success pathway.
Posted on this senior’s marker board at home are personal and academic goals that lead him to ivy league admission. None of Esteban’s goals include Yale or band or mention a future degree in engineering. Mr. Patterson helped Esteban to live and serve in the present and be the best version of himself that made the world a better place because he was in it.
Wylie ISD believes that behind every achieving student is an adult that inspires them to greatness. Our goal is that
“Every student has at least one positive relationship with an adult on campus.”
For this reason, Wylie ISD established “Relationships Day” several years ago to bring focus on this crucial topic.
On December 9, we ask every student in grades 3-12, “Who makes you feel like you matter” and log those results in their Achievement Profile. We are also asking our kids to pen a note of encouragement to a teacher for the reasons they appreciate their love and support. These notes will be collected and redistributed to our teachers.
REMOTE LEARNERS
Our remote learners will be encouraged to send an email to their favorite teacher. We encourage parents to participate, as well.
PARENTS
You are welcome to join in!
Remind a teacher who has impacted your child in a positive way,
send them an email and let them know!
What an amazing gift in this season of Caring & Giving and powerful way to let someone know how much they matter in a time these folks need us the most!
Also, check out your student’s Achievement Profile and learn what they did today.
When Esteban joins his 1,500 classmates at Yale next fall, I hope he crafts a fresh sticky note of personal and academic goals with one important reminder at the bottom,
Hope, well-being, and engagement. Beyond our students’ performance in science, math, reading, and history. These are the measurements that matter. I am grateful for kids like Esteban and teachers like Mr. Patterson that make our world a better place, one relationship at a time, the Wylie Way!
