A group of 30 elementary school teachers from 16 campuses across Round Rock ISD celebrated graduating from the Reading Rocks program, which focuses on the fundamentals of early literacy and how to better support students.

Graduating teachers, as well as their principals and District administrators gathered Feb. 2 to celebrate the final day of the six-month program. Teachers were selected for the program through a competitive application process and completed more than 70 hours of coursework and professional development.

The two cohorts consisted of 16 kindergarten through second-grade teachers and 14 third through fifth-grade teachers. The cohorts received certificates and were addressed by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Flores, Executive Director of Elementary Schools Carla Amacher and Chief of Teaching and Learning Mandy Estes.

“Stoking a passion for reading in kids at a young age is essential to our students becoming lifelong learners,” Dr. Flores said. “I am proud and honored to join in celebrating these outstanding reading teachers who will bring lessons from Reading Rocks to enrich thousands of lives in our schools.”

Graduates of the 2017 Reading Rocks cohorts include:

K-2 Cohort

  • Kimberly Wolfean, Gattis Elementary School,
  • Melba Delgado, Forest Creek Elementary School,
  • Karla Laurence, Purple Sage Elementary School,
  • Hortencia Salazar, Purple Sage Elementary School,
  • Debra Santineau, Purple Sage Elementary School,
  • Elizabeth Terry, Union Hill Elementary School,
  • Rosa Woodfin, Blackland Prairie Elementary School,
  • Nicole Wakefield, Brushy Creek Elementary School,
  • Stephanie Kaynes, Brushy Creek Elementary School,
  • Vanessa De Luna, Bluebonnet Elementary School,
  • Angelica Zamer, Bluebonnet Elementary School,
  • Debra Kownacki, Laurel Mountain Elementary School,
  • Nancy Smith, Voigt Elementary School,
  • Jennifer Turner, Voigt Elementary School,
  • Karen Jenkins, Robertson Elementary School and
  • Jessica Ortiz, Great Oaks Elementary School.

3-5 Cohort

  • Michelle Ard, Gattis Elementary School,
  • Daniel Brillhart, Gattis Elementary School,
  • Jennifer Moy, Gattis Elementary School,
  • Janie Couture, Forest Creek Elementary School,
  • Stacy Pinter, Forest Creek Elementary School,
  • Susan Shogan, Forest Creek Elementary School,
  • Shannon Galvan, Purple Sage Elementary School,
  • Cristela Gutierrez, Union Hill Elementary School,
  • Anatasia Lorestani, Cactus Ranch Elementary School,
  • Kristi Martin, Blackland Prairie Elementary School,
  • Erin Rataj, England Elementary School,
  • Jill Robertson, Sommer Elementary School,
  • Charlotte Young, Berkman Elementary School and
  • Natasha Zirlott, Teravista Elementary School.