Pillar Spotlight: SJMS Counseling and AVID Team (Teaching & Learning)
See video: https://youtu.be/U5nBwsmDWfM
6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Scott Johnson Middle School reap the benefits of CTE knowledge from an amazing partnership between the campus counselors and the AVID instructors. This team shares an important goal: ensure students are aware of ALL program opportunities and make sure they know HOW to access these programs as they progress into high school.
Counselors Julie Wilson, Rosana Adams and Cathy Hjartberg unite with AVID teachers, Tiffany Scott & Daun Griffen, to help students see connections between their own personal interests & courses they can take in high school and how to begin planning for their future.
They are a perfect example of the McKinney ISD motto: “United in Purpose, Forward with Focus”, through collaboration to support student engagement and future success.
See video: https://youtu.be/U5nBwsmDWfM
6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Scott Johnson Middle School reap the benefits of CTE knowledge from an amazing partnership between the campus counselors and the AVID instructors. This team shares an important goal: ensure students are aware of ALL program opportunities and make sure they know HOW to access these programs as they progress into high school.
Counselors Julie Wilson, Rosana Adams and Cathy Hjartberg unite with AVID teachers, Tiffany Scott & Daun Griffen, to help students see connections between their own personal interests & courses they can take in high school and how to begin planning for their future.
They are a perfect example of the McKinney ISD motto: “United in Purpose, Forward with Focus”, through collaboration to support student engagement and future success.
Tiffany Scott - 2025 McKinney ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
See video: https://youtu.be/HL-7CFJyUeQ?si=1dKQf10x7SPgOoI3
"One of the things that I hear commonly is: ‘nobody listens to me’. What I have found helpful in building those relationships is…not just listening, but listening longer.”
Tiffany Scott from Scott Johnson Middle School is the 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year for McKinney ISD. She serves as the AVID coordinator on her campus, and she has worked as an educator for 12 years.
Preparing Students for Success – the AVID Program in McKinney ISD
“It’s the best program in the district!”
As an AVID instructor, Leslie D’Annibale may be somewhat biased, but her enthusiasm for the Advancement Via Individual Determination program in McKinney ISD is not overstated.
See video: https://youtu.be/66709GXiga8
AVID is transforming the way students learn and prepare for their future by helping students build strong study habits, manage their time effectively and prepare for college and beyond. From mastering study skills to tackling the SAT, AVID empowers students with the tools they need to succeed!
McKinney ISD 6th Grade Math Students Learn Personal Financial Literacy
See video: https://tinyurl.com/e6y563ya
Our district was honored to welcome Denise Steller from First United Bank to speak with our 6th-grade math students across all five middle schools. Through an engaging Dollars & Sense activity, students gained a hands-on understanding of how their education and career choices after high school will impact their lifestyle and financial decisions.
By learning the fundamentals of budgeting and financial planning early, these students are building the foundation for a future of smart money management. Thank you to First United Bank for partnering with us to bring this valuable lesson to our students!
BIG APPLAUSE 👏🏼 TO OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR… 🥁 drummmmrollllllll…
Ms. Tiffany Scott! Congratulations 🎈!
We 🤍you and can’t wait for you to represent SJMS. Thank you for being a phenomenal educator and advocate for kids.
Incoming 6th graders 25-26: We look forward to meeting our future 🧡🐅💙on January 14.
🟣🟠🟢⚫️🟡🔵🔴🟣🟠🟡🔴
The fundraiser 💰Color Battle was a day to remember for SJMS students.
The 7th grade team 🔔got their golden tickets 🎫 🚂 punched today to board The Polar Express ❄️.
📣shout out to our counselor duo for receiving a GRANT 💰from the amazing MEF! 🤍
Congratulations 🎈 to Coach Hammock, MISD Middle School Coach of the Month. We are thankful for all he does for our students and athletes.
Parents: your student will be taking the middle of year Math and Reading MAP test this week (Tuesday and Thursday). Please remind your child to charge their laptops 🧑💻 🔋🔌💻.
🐝Buzzzzzzzzz our kids are definitely the bee’s wax when it comes to spelling! Congratulations 🎉 to our top 3 spellers in today’s campus spelling bee. 🥇Prateik Punati, 7th grader
🥈Maliya Joy, 6th grader
🥉Ayaan Laddha, 8th grader
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Big applause 👏🏼 for our theatre 🎭 department on their production of “Alice in Wonderland”. Great job, kiddos! Kudos to their director Ms. Winkler for her leadership.
📸Cred: Tim Kans
💛Kindness Counts 💛
Announcement 📢 ‼️Calling all future DAWGS (8th graders transitioning to North) 🐾🦴
HUGE APPLAUSE 👏🏼 for Harlow & Ariana! Way to go, ladies! 🎨🖌️🖼️ YOU are picture perfect! We are so proud of you!
Day 3️⃣RRW 🔴: 😥🤗So many emotions! At SJMS we believe it’s ok to feel your emotions, but we REFUSE to let drugs turn us “Inside Out”. 😄😡
CheerLEADERS 📣 of the week...
At SJMS we say BOO 👻 to drugs and bullying!
