December 14, 2008
Visiting Daddy's office
As part of a Tiger Cub Requirement, Kyle had to visit Daddy's office and see what he does at work. We had a lot of fun. We typed at Dad's computer, moved things around (rearranged/redecorated) and we even photocopied our hands! You can't beat fun like that!
At Daddy's Desk
Photocopying our hands
Article from 12/14/08 Plano Star Courier about the Rynearson Award
Laura Mullen, Schimelpfenig Middle School English teacher, was named the Rynearson National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society adviser of the year at the National Conference of the societies.
“Laura is deserving of this award because she’s one of those Renaissance women. She has her finger in all the pies of the school,” said Olga Sanchez-Grosscup, principal of Schimelpfenig Middle School. “Laura works well with all the kids. She’s proactive in looking for opportunities for the kids to be successful.”
Mullen has been the NJHS advisor for 11 of the past 12 years she has been teaching at Schimelpfenig. She is head of the English department and is a team leader.
Mullen said she was in NJHS and NHS when she was in school. Throughout her own schooling, Mullen attended Schimelpfenig Middle School, then Shepton High School and graduated from Plano Senior High. Mullen received her bachelor’s degree while attending TCU. Mullen also holds a master’s degree in English from the University of North Texas.
“I’ve always had a heart for community service. I like teaching the kids the value of community service,” Mullen said. “I want them to know that there’s more to life outside of their school.”
There are 120 students in the NJHS program at Schimelpfenig and Mullen feels that the students benefit greatly from helping someone else through community service. Charitable projects help the students become aware of the community around them and it gives them confidence and self-pride.
At any given time, Mullen said she has 10-15 different service projects running. She tries to get her students involved in projects that reach many different people.
“Once the students feel passion toward a project, they will put all their heart into it,” Mullen said.
The Rynearson adviser of the year award marks the second time Schimelpfenig’s chapter of NJHS has received an award. In 2006 Mullen, and then co-adviser Deborah Johnston, received the Difference Maker award, which is given to chapters that have many programs meant to help the community.
The current award Mullen received is named for Dr. Edward Rynearson, the founder of NHS, and is meant to identify the nation’s most involved advisers for the work they do with their society chapters.
Alison Melson, seventh grade English teacher and student council adviser at Schimelpfenig, said Mullen gives 110 percent to her kids.
“Laura goes above and beyond in her teaching. Everything she does is for the kids,” Melson said. “Our NJHS always has the highest amount of community service hours and Laura makes it fun for the kids.”
Rynearson helped establish the NHS in 1921. The Fifth Avenue School in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he served as principal, became the Alpha chapter of NHS. Word spread of the new organization and under Rynearson’s leadership more than 1,000 schools established chapters.
Nominees for the award must be from active NHS or NJHS chapters and must have three years' experience as an adviser. Their chapters must comply with the national guidelines and nominees must be able to provide information about activities of their chapter that justifies their selection as national adviser of the year.
Sanchez-Grosscup nominated Mullen for the award, which focuses on those professionals who support the purposes of the Honor Society and their chapters in the most effective manner possible. Mullen wrote an essay listing what her chapter has done with community service and their current projects.
The council for the honor societies looked over the essays and selected the winners. Mullen traveled to Orlando, Fla. in November for the honor society conference that included workshops on how to engage students. Mullen said when her name was called as the winner she stood in place, too shocked to move.
“I was in shock, I really didn’t think it would be me,” Mullen said. “I do my job because I like seeing the looks on students’ faces when they realize they can be successful at something. The moments I hold onto are when I see teens working with younger children and I see the look in their eyes.”
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com