7th Grade Pre-AP Science/8th Grade Astronomy

I grew up in many places: Arizona, Washington, Texas, and New Mexico. The continual relocation gave me exposure to many different languages, a great appreciation of culture and traditions, and an innate desire to learn from my environment. From a very young age, my interests revolve around math and science, but I’ve always had a creative mind. I like to find new ways to complete tasks, and therefore value when my scholars express their learning in unique mediums. As a first-generation college-going student, I attended Cornell University. There, I studied Sociology with a focus on Social Inequalities in the United States. My aim was to understand how education could be used as a route to alter the “cycle of poverty” that I saw around me. Through my studies, I learned that academic learning must be paired with social learning. I then continued my own education at Harvard Graduate School of Education where I concentrated on Adolescent Risk and Resilience. I began my career as an IB English teacher where I was able to focus my teaching on personal identity development. Throughout my career, I have served as a Grade level and Content team lead, a teacher mentor, an intervention specialist, as well as a softball, basketball, and volleyball coach. Now, going into my 8^th year of teaching, I am excited to combine my passion for health/wellness and science. 

 Crecí en muchos lugares: Arizona, Washington, Texas y Nuevo México. La reubicación continua me dio exposición a muchos idiomas diferentes, una gran apreciación de la cultura y las tradiciones, y un deseo innato de aprender de mi ambiente. Desde muy joven mis intereses giran en torno a las matemáticas y las ciencias, pero siempre tuve una mente creativa. Me gusta encontrar nuevas formas de completar tareas y retos, y por lo tanto, valoro cuando mis alumnos expresan su aprendizaje en medios únicos. Como estudiante universitario de primera generación, asistí a la Universidad de Cornell. Allí estudié Sociología con un enfoque en Desigualdades Sociales en los Estados Unidos. Mi objetivo era comprender cómo la educación podría usarse como una ruta para alterar el "ciclo de pobreza" que vi a mi alrededor. A través de mis estudios, aprendí que el aprendizaje académico debe combinarse con el aprendizaje social. Luego continué mi propia educación en Harvard Graduate School of Education, donde me concentré en el Riesgo y la Resiliencia de los adolescentes. Comencé mi carrera como profesor de IB English, donde pude centrar mi enseñanza en el desarrollo de la identidad personal. A lo largo de mi carrera he servido como líder del equipo de nivel de grado y contenido, mentor de maestros, especialista en intervención, así como entrenadora de softbol, baloncesto y voleibol. Ahora, al comenzar mi octavo año de enseñanza, estoy emocionado de combinar mi pasión por la salud / bienestar y la ciencia.

Mrs. Cristina Mendez- Flores

7th & 8th Dual Language Spanish

I was born in Dallas and raised in Pleasant Grove. I attended Dallas ISD schools and graduated from Skyline High School. My parents are from Mexico. They instilled in me the love for their mother language and culture. I grew up speaking Spanish and continued learning about it throughout high school and college. I am a first generation college student that attended Texas A&M University- Commerce, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and minored in Interdisciplinary Studies. I obtained my teacher certification from Mountain View College and I am certified in Bilingual Education. My goal is to instruct your students an academic language that can assist them with career advancement. This will be made possible with hard work, determination, and dedication from both your student and I. We will cover a wide variety of topics, ideas, and many concepts that may be new and beneficial. This year will be a challenge, and as a class we will work together to ensure success and growth.

Sra. Cristina Mendez- Flores

Espanol Lenguaje Dual 7°y 8°

Nací en Dallas y crecí en Pleasant Grove. Asistí a las escuelas de Dallas ISD y me gradué de Skyline High School. Mis padres son de México. Ellos me inculcaron el amor por su lengua y cultura materna. Crecí hablando español y continué aprendiendo sobre el idioma durante mi tiempo en la preparatoria y en la universidad. Soy una estudiante universitaria de primera generación que asistió a Texas A&M University-Commerce, donde obtuve una licenciatura en español y una especialización en estudios interdisciplinarios. Obtuve mi certificación de maestra de Mountain View College y estoy certificado en la Educación Bilingüe. Mi objetivo es instruir en sus estudiantes un lenguaje académico que pueda ayudarlos a avanzar en su carrera. Esto será posible con el trabajo arduo, la determinación y la dedicación tanto de su estudiante como la mía. Cubriremos una amplia variedad de temas, ideas y muchos conceptos que pueden ser nuevos y beneficiosos en el futuro de los estudiantes. Este año será un desafío. Como clase trabajaremos juntos para asegurar el éxito y el crecimiento.

Reading Language Arts and TX History

My name is Laila Jaber. I am honored to be your 8th grade Reading Language Arts and 7th Grade Texas History teacher. I was born in Maplewood, Minnesota and moved down to the DFW area when I was 4 years old. I am half Turkish and half Syrian and I come from a very culturally diverse background. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor's in Social Studies with a teaching certificate in Social Studies, English and ESL. I am currently working towards my Masters degree in Education and History. I have always had a passion for both Social Studies and English, so I figured that I would share my passion with teaching the younger generation who is eager to learn. I have experience teaching and subbing of all age ranges starting from Pre-K all the way to 11th grade for 3 years. I enjoy being in the classroom and not only teaching but having fun with teaching and interacting with students. I have a passion for computers, video games, art and books, so I try my best to incorporate that into my lessons, so students are always engaged. I also love learning about culture and the different interests that all of my students have.

7th Grade Dual Language Reading/Language Arts

Mrs. Melendez – I was born and raised in Dallas.  I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Government and Spanish.  I also have a Masters in Business from Dallas Baptist University. I have 15 years teaching experience in middle school. My family is from Chihuahua, Mexico.  Over the course of my experience I have taught 7^th and 6^th grade Reading Language Arts. I truly enjoy teaching this subject and helping students develop into life-long learners. I hope to pursue my Masters in Education in the future.  

Nací y crecí en Dallas. Me gradué de la Universidad de Texas en Austin con un B.A. en Gobierno y Español. También tengo una Maestría en Negocios de la Universidad Bautista de Dallas. Tengo 15 años de experiencia docente en la escuela secundaria. Mi familia es de Chihuahua, México. A lo largo de mi experiencia, he enseñado Artes del Lenguaje de Lectura de 7º y 6º grado. Realmente disfruto enseñando esta materia y ayudando a los estudiantes a convertirse en aprendices de por vida. Espero seguir mi Maestría en Educación en el futuro.

My name is Brianna Pemble, and I am honored to be your 7^th Grade Honors Texas History and 8^th Grade Honors US History teacher. I was born and raised in northern Wisconsin, with a few years spent in southern Florida. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received my B.A. in Communication Arts - Communication Science and Rhetorical Studies, along with certificates in Digital Media Studies, Gender & Women's Studies, and African American Studies. I then moved to Dallas in 2018 and worked in marketing and advertising before attending Southern Methodist University and receiving my Master of Education with a focus on gifted education. It was during my time at SMU that I was assigned to STAG in PG and quickly fell in love. I am so thankful to be returning for my third year in the classroom! When I am not at school, I am usually at home in downtown Dallas with my partner, Jordon, and my two rescue cats: Malcolm and Estrella. I enjoy good food, being outside, traveling, and spending time with my family.

7th Grade Pre-AP Math/8th Grade Algebra 1

I was raised on a farm in McKinney, TX. I received my Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies through Midwestern State University. I have been a teacher for 7 years now, where I have gotten to help build the AVID program at my former school, mentor teachers, and be an active part of the leadership team. I helped pilot and launch the Young Women’s Academy at Balch Springs. I have taught both at the elementary and middle school levels, but middle school is definitely my favorite! During my free time I love baking, cooking, and spending time with my family and pets! 

Me crié en una granja en McKinney, TX. Recibí mi Licenciatura en Estudios Interdisciplinarios a través de la Midwestern State University. He sido maestra durante 7 años, donde he podido ayudar a construir el programa AVID en mi escuela anterior, ser mentora de maestros y ser parte activa del equipo de liderazgo. Ayudé a pilotar y lanzar la Academia de Mujeres Jóvenes en Balch Springs. He enseñado tanto en la escuela primaria como en la secundaria, ¡pero la escuela secundaria es definitivamente mi favorita! ¡Durante mi tiempo libre me encanta hornear, cocinar y pasar tiempo con mi familia y mis mascotas!