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ANNUAL FUNDCamp

Faculty Spotlight Week 11

Donna Allen, Assistant Pre-K Teacher

What are you most proud of this year in regard to your work at BYDS?

I am proud to be part of the BYDS family and to have such wonderful coworkers.  

Where did you go to college, and what attracted you to the education field?

I graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown. I fell in love with education, while I was in college and the love has grown over the past few years. 

If you had to live in a either a library or a zoo for the rest of your life, which would you choose and why?

I would choose the zoo. I love animals and love going to the zoo! I love going to visit the baby animals. 

What is your favorite meal? (to eat, that is, not cook)

I don’t really have a favorite meal. But I could eat “PB & J” any time of the day.  I just love how simple it is and yet how wonderful it tastes. 

Alexandra Espinoza, Assistant CDO Teacher

What are your hobbies/interests (other than making BYDS great)?

I love anything outdoorsy! I’ve been hiking, camping, water skiing, and paddle boarding and hope to keep adding to my list of outdoor adventures. Because I have a sweet tooth, I really enjoy baking, there’s something about baking that is sort of therapeutic for me.. but of course my favorite part is eating the final product!

Have you ever met someone famous?

I’ve never met anyone famous, but if I ever do, I hope that my phone is charged, there’s a notebook and pen at hand and that I have my act together. 

What is your favorite sport to watch? To play?

I would say football is my favorite sport to watch because growing up my family always got together and bonded over food and football. It’s still something we all do as a family.

Favorite character from children’s literature?

My favorite character from children’s literature would have to be Pippi Longstocking. She was just so fun and adventurous, and I wanted to be like her, especially with her crazy red pigtails.

Laporsha Lilly, 2nd Grade Teacher

What is your most memorable moment at BYDS so far?

It’s a split between Tu B’Shvat and Purim. My first celebration of Tu B’Shvat was spent with the students talking about worms and creating temporary habitats for them until they could be released into their gardens at home. My first Purim was when I tasted the best treat I have ever been so lucky to devour – a hamantaschen! Definitely these memories will stay with me forever. 

How do you think students will remember you and your class?

I hope they will remember it as a place where they felt comfortable enough to be exactly who they are. A place where they found interest and excitement. 

What are you “free” reading right now?

I actually read and collected Harry Potter books throughout my childhood, a collection my mom now keeps in her china cabinet 🙂.  So, this year I decided to read the collection all over again but the illustrated one. I’m on the Chamber of Secrets, right now. 

What superhero talent would you most like to have?

The ability to complete a task just by thinking about it. Because I would always be two steps ahead of my daily to do list and I could have more time to play with family and read books. My superhero name would be, “Super Chilled Mom”. 😊

Erin Lindsey, EDE THREEs Teacher

What is your favorite thing about BYDS?

I love how welcoming and supportive this community is and how much I have been able to learn working here. I am currently a full-time student at the University of Houston studying Education, but it really isn’t the same as being in the classroom with the kids. BYDS has given me such a great community of supportive teachers to observe and learn from along with my classes. 

Did anything or anyone inspire you to become a teacher?

As a little girl I wanted to either teach music or be a musician. The teaching part of this really solidified with my middle school band director. What stood out to me wasn’t that he loved music, but that he loved his students. His passion for helping others is what really drew me to teaching and wanting to show kids the same love he showed us!

Where would you travel to for one month?

I have always wanted to visit Greece! It started when I first read Percy Jackson in elementary school and now, I love the culture, food, and wow Greece is just so beautiful!

What natural talent do you wish you had?

I have always wished I could dance! All of my older girl cousins were dancers so of course, I wanted to be one, but I am extremely uncoordinated and trip at least 4 times a day. My theory is a little invisible gnome follows me around making me trip all day. 

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