Teaching assignments: Middle school special education

City and school district from which you come: Fort Davis ISD, Fort Davis

Where did you grow up? Sugar Land

College education: University of North Texas, Denton

Family: Traci, Aja, Nora

Hobbies: Play and write music, any water or outdoor activity

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: Always dreamt of living surrounded by water

Forget the cost, if you could do anything to improve the ability of Texas schools to better educate and prepare students to be capable adults, what would that be? To effectively prepare each generation for its ultimate responsibility: to literally save the world.

Why did you choose education as a career? To make a positive difference, to be truly helpful.

How many years have you been in education? 23 years

Name: Terence Davidson What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? Many years teaching children, many years involved in music.

Teaching assignments: Study hall

City and school district from which you come: Nacogdoches

Where did you grow up? Corpus Christi

College education: BFA in art education - focus in ceramics, minor in printmaking

Family: Married, no kids, two nephews, two cats, parents and in-laws live in Corpus Christi

Hobbies: Surfing, sewing, working in clay, mosaic, anything I can get my hands on.

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: Growing up in Corpus Christi, we came here often, and knew we wanted to be on the coast. I also vowed never to live in a city again.

Forget the cost, if you could do anything to improve the ability of Texas schools to better educate and prepare students to be capable adults, what would that be? Integrate curriculum.

Name: Kate Prejean Why did you choose education as a career? I had a really hard time in school and dropped out. When I got to college, I fell in love with learning and want to pass that on.

How many years have you been in education? I've taught in some form since I was 15 - almost 15 years ago.

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? I know this does not belong solely to me, but I am very passionate about knowledge - all subjects interrelate and are building blocks for each other.

Teaching assignments: Advance placement (AP) U.S. history, U.S. history, AP world history, world history, U.S. government/economics

City and school district from which you come: Ingleside High School

Where did you grow up? St. Louis, MO

Name: Peter Barello College education: University of Guam, Texas A&M, University of North Texas at Denton

Family: Wife, Laurie, married 35 years; son, Brian, 28; daughter, Sarah, 25; granddaughter, Jordon, 5

Hobbies: Reading, working in the backyard, most importantly, spending all my free time with my granddaughter.

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: We were stationed in Ingleside and living in Corpus Christi. When I decided to retire, we opted for Port Aransas, where my wife had been teaching for five years. We liked the climate and people.

Forget the cost, if you could do anything to improve the ability of Texas schools to better educate and prepare students to be capable adults, what would that be? More support for libraries and associated technology (because) first-rate reading skills give people a leg up in life.

Name: Jeri Franco Why did you choose education as a career? I was a career Navy officer and an important part of that job is constant training. I liked being with young, quick minds, who wanted to try new things, so education was a match.

How many years have you been in education? Nine

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? Lots of travel, over 40-plus nations, extensive work with foreign governments and military and, at my age, I have lived through a lot of what my students will study.

Teaching assignments: Elementary/ middle school counselor

City and school district from which you come: Aransas Pass ISD

Where did you grow up? Burlington, Ind.

College education: Purdue University, B.A.; Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, masters

Family: Three daughters, Anna, Carmen, Elaine

Hobbies: Reading, swimming, walking on the beach

Name: Jill B. Smith Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: Great place to live! Good educational opportunities for my daughters.

Forget the cost, if you could do anything to improve the ability of Texas schools to better educate and prepare students to be capable adults, what would that be? Provide skills training/apprenticeships for students who desire to enter the workforce upon high school graduation.

Why did you choose education as a career? My second grade teacher was my inspiration.

How many years have you been in education? 24 years

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? Enthusiasm, experience. I enjoy working with students, parents and educators. I hope to be instrumental in their success.

Teaching assignments: Integrated physics and chemistry (IPC), physics, chemistry

Name: Randell S. Buttler City and school district from which you come: Uvalde Consolidated ISD, Uvalde

Where did you grow up? I attended high school in Amarillo and in the Aldine ISD in north Houston

College education: B.S. with major in biology, minors in chemistry, environmental science, 1996; master's in secondary education, 2005.

Family: I live with my 5-yearold son, Nathan. My dad lives in Shenandoah with his wife, Lillian. I am blessed with a lot of great friends.

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: It has become "home" over the last 10 years.

Forget the cost, if you could do anything to improve the ability of Texas schools to better educate and prepare students to be capable adults, what would that be?

Why did you choose education as a career? I entered education as a second career. I was in the restaurant business for 25 years, and the hours weren't conducive to quality family life. Also, I am continually fascinated with science and enjoy the company of young people. I find it rewarding to watch their confidence in themselves grow as they mature and experience success in challenging classes.

Teaching assignments: Instructional aide for special programs at the secondary level

City and school district from which you come: N/A

Where did you grow up? Corpus Christi

College education: Five years, Del Mar Technical Institute

Family: Wife, three children

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing and traveling

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: Retirement and to share educational involvement with my wife, and a small town environment.

Forget the cost, if you could do anything to improve the ability of Texas schools to better educate and prepare students to be capable adults, what would that be? To reduce class sizes statewide at all levels, and to introduce life skills to be successful in life after school.

Why did you choose education as a career? After watching my wife and family work hard in the education business, I decide to help as much as I can.

How many years have you been in education? No previous years in education.

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? The ability to mentor young people, and offer sound moral support and guidance.