DeWitt is new hire for tennis, special ed




LARRY DEWITT

LARRY DEWITT


Port Aransas ISD trustees, at a meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, to employ Dr. Larry M. DeWitt d to replace Evonne Valle

Name:
Dr. Larry Michael DeWitt, Ed.D.

Teaching assignments:

Special education/English and math and head tennis coach

Former city and
school district (or
former position at
PAISD):
Friendswood, Texas and Clear Creek ISD

Where did you
grow up? The small community of Alvin

College education:
Texas A&M University, Doctor of Education, College Station; Colorado State University, Master of Arts in Teaching, Fort Collins, Colo.; University of Texas at El Paso, Bachelor of Arts; Alvin Junior College, Associate of Arts, Alvin

Family:
Wife, Linda (kindergarten teacher) We have been married 32 years. Daughter, Katie, graduate of Texas A&M; son, Charlie, graduate of Texas A&M.

Hobbies:
Travel, reading, photography, swimming, playing tennis

Reason (besides a job) that you
chose to come to Port Aransas:
Port Aransas is a place my family has always loved visiting. Port Aransas has an exemplary school system where the students, parents, faculty and administration and community are equally exemplary. Port Aransas is a beautiful place with friendly people where I would enjoy living, learning, and growing because of the many exciting and productive opportunities provided.

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?
I would create small learning communities that are similar to Port Aransas where students are part of a community that values family, friends, and education and provides the tools students need to help them become good citizens and capable adults.

Why did you choose education as a
career?
I have always enjoyed reading and learning about new things. I had great parents and exceptional teachers growing up in the small community of Alvin, and a superintendent who took a personal interest in my success. All of these great educators continue to
inspire me even today. I always wanted
to be an educator.

How many years have you been in
education?

What special talent/skill do you
bring to PAISD?
While obtaining my doctorate at Texas A&M University, I did extensive research and training at the Center for Community Education for the State of Texas on the subject of helping communities be successful and becoming self-sufficient; where schools and the lives who are touched by them are treasured; where people are trained in how to meet the needs of the community in a thoughtful, efficient, and cost-effective manner without the costly overlapping of services. My mentor at A&M was Dr. Stephen Stark, co-director of the center. I was trained in language acquisition by the renowned Bertha Segal, former director of language learning and acquisition in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The concept of the “natural approach”, a more successful approach than traditional methods, was emphasized. I was coached by Margaret Varner, a former national tennis champion and a truly great coach, at the University of Texas at El Paso where I played varsity tennis.

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