New faces on PAISD campuses




Merry Fore-Canion

Merry Fore-Canion

Teaching/coaching assignments: Special education, Olsen Elementary School and reading intervention teacher

Former city and school district (or former position at PAISD): Last year parttime reading intervention teacher and substitute for Olsen Elementary. 2009 – 2011 special education inclusion teacher for Aransas County ISD Rockport. 1993- 2009 special education teacher for Corpus Christi ISD.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Missouri went to undergraduate school and high school in Columbia. My aunt and uncle, Wavel and Charlie Brown, have been long time residents here in Port Aransas. I spent many summers and Spring Breaks in Port Aransas and have lived in Port Aransas off and on for 15 years. I always come back because its paradise.

Penny Pillack

Penny Pillack

College education: Bachelor of Arts in psychology and child studies from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. Masters in science counseling from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. 15 hours toward a masters degree in reading from Texas A& M Corpus Christi.

Family: Married to Steve Canion who is a medical app developer for Android and iPhone, chiropractor and acupuncturist here in Port Aransas. Two Labradors named Sheena and Sasha, and Renee, a short-haired pointer.

Hobbies: Running, kite surfing, snow skiing, and traveling.

Ryan Piwetz

Ryan Piwetz

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: Because Port Aransas is the best school district in the area! I also worked for Pat Nelson when I was teaching for Aransas County ISD, and she is the most awesome principal I have ever worked for, so I wanted to follow her when she started working as principal for Olsen Elementary.

I have always admired Port Aransas ISD because not only do they really care about their students but they follow through with trying to provide the best education possible for their students. Port Aransas ISD is a school district where teachers enjoy teaching and feel appreciated. The community support is like nothing I have ever experienced before! The Port Aransas Education Foundation I can’t say enough about the support they provide the schools.

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?

Port Aransas ISD is improving in technology by going wireless. The education foundation just awarded a large amount of money to Port Aransas teachers and schools. I know that PreK-2 teachers were awarded two iPads per a classroom. 1.) I would like to see 20 iPads per class in all Port Aransas classrooms that need technology with a charging cart to keep them charged up and ready to go. 2. Enough funds to support the iPads and apps. 3.) Enough funds so teachers can train outside of Texas and be able to attend national trainings and seminars.

Why did you choose education as a career? It was a calling and a skill that I have been blessed with. I honestly love being a teacher.

How many years have you been in education? 20 years

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? Just competed designing with my cohort Pam Corley an informal reading assessment that is technology based called, “ReachME” for students with complex communication needs. In teaching reading to special needs children I found the traditional Texas reading assessments very difficult to use with children who are nonverbal or partially verbal. For example, many of my students with autism I found it difficult and many times impossible to get an accurate score on a traditional assessment. We saw a need and have developed a better way to assess reading skills and where we need to go to further the education of that particular student group.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know or would be surprised to learn: I spent a summer in Mexico living with a family learning Spanish. I have dyslexia and understand when learning how to read and write can be a struggle. Spell check, when it was invented, was the best thing ever for me. I would like to go back to school and complete my PhD in reading and curriculum studies.

Teaching/coaching assignments: CTE hospitality and tourism

Former city and school district (or former position at PAISD): Recently retired as elementary principal at Agua Dulce Elementary.

Where did you grow up? Agua Dulce.

College education: Bachelor of Science in elementary education at Texas A&I University/Master of Education, Texas A&I University/Mid Management Certificate Texas A& MKingsville.

Family: My husband, Roy, is a farmer and rancher in the Agua Dulce/Alice area. He also grew up in Agua Dulce and has a degree in agronomy from Texas A&I University. We have one daughter, Reagan, who after receiving her bachelor and master degrees from Texas A& M- College Station, is teaching agricultural science in Woodville. Her husband recently was named superintendent of Chester ISD. They are expecting their first child in February.

Hobbies : Travel ing, reading, volunteer work with various organizations.

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: We have owned property in Port Aransas for 20 years. I have always enjoyed the community and what it offers for families, both permanent and visitors. I am so honored to be working in a school district that is well respected throughout the state.

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 believe students need to have more life skills in the curriculum. Not all students will attend a four-year college, but all need to graduate high school with skills that will carry into adulthood. The hospitality and tourism classes will certainly begin that process. Today’s students will be working in jobs that are not even invented. We need to produce wellrounded students ready for any future endeavors.

Why did you choose education as a career? I always played school as a child. I love learning and truly believe I learn something every day. I love observing a student learn! When the ‘light goes on’ that the student understands something, I am excited! Education is my passion!

How many years have you been in education? I taught one year in Mathis ISD and worked 37 years in Agua Dulce ISD.

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? I believe my experience as elementary teacher, junior high teacher, high school teacher, district testing coordinator, cheerleader sponsor, one act play director, elementary and secondary principal in a small school will assist me in understanding the needs of the PAISD students. Along with my experiences outside the school realm, I believe I can lead Port Aransas students to meet success in the workforce or post-graduate classes.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know or would be surprised to learn: I have travelled to 49 states; Idaho is the only state I have left to visit! I have also visited 16 countries. And I do not like dogs or cats! I was bitten by a dog when I was just learning to crawl and therefore, I have a mental block about dogs and cats.

Teaching/coaching assignments: High school science: physics, aquatic science, IPC

Former city and school district (or former position at PAISD): Rockport, Aransas County ISD, Rockport-Fulton High School.

Where did you grow up? Woodsboro (please don’t hold that against me!)

College education: B.S. ocean engineering, Texas A&M University.

Family: Wife Tisha; son Zakary.

Hobbies: Outdoor activities: fishing, hunting, camping, etc. Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America, Troop 188.

Reason (besides a job) that you chose to come to Port Aransas: Port Aransas has a long-standing tradition of excellence. I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of this team. I also have the opportunity to work again with Sharon McKinney. I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. McKinney in the past and her enthusiasm and excitement is contagious. She is a true leader.

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? My goal is to help students make real world connections to what they learn in the classroom. That, to me, is the key. That is our challenge across the state. When students feel that they are in the class just to pass an exam at the end of the year there is no real incentive to hang on to that information. Therefore, my goal as an educator is to show students why the material they are seeing in the classroom is important in their everyday lives. Not only will learning prepare them for a future career, it will also make them informed voters.

Why did you choose education as a career? Education has given me an opportunity to share with students in learning about the world around us. Science has always fascinated me. The world is always changing. Learning never stops. Education has allowed me to explore new fields of study and continue learning. I love working with young people. My students always have something to teach me. Prior to my career in education, I worked nine years in the offshore oil and gas fabrication industry. It is an exciting and dynamic business. I hope to always bring my experiences from that field into my classroom and help my students build real world connections.

How many years have you been in education? This year begins my eighth year in education.

What special talent/skill do you bring to PAISD? I work hard for my students. I want to always have my class prepared for them. I hope that my experience outside of education will also help them make connections to what is happening around them and assist them in their education.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know or would be surprised to learn. In college I raced human powered submarines.


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