The Doss Owls are famous for their reputation for exemplary performance, and, it is named for an infamous Austin educator who, way back in the 1930s, did an unthinkable deed: she broke her teacher contract for love and moved out-of-state. However, she came back a year later for her true love: our Austin students. Leona Doss, a first grade teacher, taught in AISD for more 40 years and earned the honor of having Doss Elementary School named for her.
Her artistic spirit is alive today in the school halls which are painted in bold colors — red, yellow, blue, purple, green, and orange. One student described the experience: "Walking down the hallway is like falling into a box of crayons."
The PTA president, Dandre Whitehead, was cleaning up after a big field day, Sports-a-Rama. Jane Kronke, assistant principal, rightly brags about the strength of the Doss parent volunteer base.
The school has created a "Green Team" to support environmental education. At the heart of this campus is the Debbie Brink Atrium, named for a beloved teacher.
Principal Sherrie Raven was proud to show us the work of her first grade students and teachers. Doss first graders have really applied their math skills this year. For example, they started counting loose change they brought from home, and have donated a book to the library each time they collected $15. During this year alone, they have donated 77 books to the Doss Library for their efforts! (TAKS Question: How much money did the first graders collect? Just kidding...)
Mrs. Cindy Warner, who teaches kindergarten, is the Doss Teacher of Promise. Dr. Trevino was happy to see her children actively engaged in learning centers, and busy developing oral language through play.
Teacher of the Year, Mr. Richard Baehr, teaches 5th grade math and science. In his class, he engaged students in a project to design, create and propose a new aquarium for the school. Students wrote letters to lobby the PTA for the aquarium. They also proposed budgets and artistic renderings of the design. The students learned that a project can have many steps and require a variety of skills to successfully complete it.
Did you know that Doss has the largest number of Korean and Chinese ELL students in the district? Doss has a newcomer teacher as well as Chinese and Korean bilingual teachers. I witnessed a kindergarten Korean student, Yeojun, reading and writing at a second grade level (Ramona says it was 2.6 to be exact). There are more than 30 students in the program led by Mi Ae Lee.
I volunteered to help take out the trash, but Mr. Francisco Vasquez wouldn't let me. I did get to hold the garbage, though, for our picture. The school is so clean and ready for learning, thanks to him.
And, finally, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about the library which has a treetop feel. Ms. Jane Willis has worked as the school librarian for 40 years, starting when the school opened in 1970.
Once again the beauty and artistic talents of Leona Doss touch the lives of children here. Money from the sale of her artwork was used to commission three exquisite murals that now adorn the library. I'm sure Ms. Doss would be very proud.
Doss was so much fun to visit and I hope to return soon. Thanks, Owls! We'll be back on the road on Thursday with visits to two more schools.
And, finally, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about the library which has a treetop feel. Ms. Jane Willis has worked as the school librarian for 40 years, starting when the school opened in 1970.
