About Ms. Berry
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My Dallas Morning News Community Voices Feature: Ms. Berry sees it
all. She teaches gifted-and talented students, special-ed students, and
students whose first language is not English. She’s a campus leader, a
department chair, and she helps with the district’s literacy program, too.
And her varied experiences don’t end when the school bell rings. She’s
the mother of a learning disabled child, a Cub Scout leader, and a
Community Emergency Response Team member. Not until an 80-year-
old nun at her Catholic College helped her understand her own learning
disabilities did this education superstar set her sights on a career in the
classroom. “I teach to correct the wrongs of my past,” she says. “I am
learning disabled. When I was a child, learning disabilities were
misunderstood. I was labeled by some of my teachers as lazy, stupid,
emotionally disturbed, or, worst of all, not worthy of attention. I worked
hard in my K-12 years to scrape by. There were tears, angry outbursts,
and deep frustrations. If it weren’t for my mother insisting that I carry
on, I would have quit in high school. I cannot remember one occasion in
K-12 where a teacher recognized that I had learning problems or
encouraged me in any way. I was a shadow child.” Now she helps lead
children out of the shadows. ~Michael Landrum
all. She teaches gifted-and talented students, special-ed students, and
students whose first language is not English. She’s a campus leader, a
department chair, and she helps with the district’s literacy program, too.
And her varied experiences don’t end when the school bell rings. She’s
the mother of a learning disabled child, a Cub Scout leader, and a
Community Emergency Response Team member. Not until an 80-year-
old nun at her Catholic College helped her understand her own learning
disabilities did this education superstar set her sights on a career in the
classroom. “I teach to correct the wrongs of my past,” she says. “I am
learning disabled. When I was a child, learning disabilities were
misunderstood. I was labeled by some of my teachers as lazy, stupid,
emotionally disturbed, or, worst of all, not worthy of attention. I worked
hard in my K-12 years to scrape by. There were tears, angry outbursts,
and deep frustrations. If it weren’t for my mother insisting that I carry
on, I would have quit in high school. I cannot remember one occasion in
K-12 where a teacher recognized that I had learning problems or
encouraged me in any way. I was a shadow child.” Now she helps lead
children out of the shadows. ~Michael Landrum
Current Job Position:
English Department Chair
7th and 8th Grade Gifted and Talented
LA teacher.
7th Grade ELAR Teacher
Writing Trainer (New Jersey Writing
Project in Texas/ Abydos International)
Curriculum Writer
English Department Chair
7th and 8th Grade Gifted and Talented
LA teacher.
7th Grade ELAR Teacher
Writing Trainer (New Jersey Writing
Project in Texas/ Abydos International)
Curriculum Writer
Philosophy
“All students can learn when given instruction geared towards
their individual needs.”
“All students can learn when given instruction geared towards
their individual needs.”
Experience: 19 years
teaching ELAR in a variety of
6-12 settings:
Alternative programs
Summer School
Gifted and Talented Pre-AP
Acad. Lang. Therapist/
dyslexia training
Mock Trial
Spelling Bee Coordinator
Yearbook Advisor
Volleyball/Track Coach,
Master Technology Trainer
UIL Ready Writing
UIL Maps, Charts, Graphs
UIL Dictionary Skills
UIL Editorial Writing
Duke Scholars
Mentor to Students
Mentor to Teachers
NJWPT Trainer
Secondary Writing Cadre
Secondary Language Literacy
Team
Team Leader
Department Chair
teaching ELAR in a variety of
6-12 settings:
Alternative programs
Summer School
Gifted and Talented Pre-AP
Acad. Lang. Therapist/
dyslexia training
Mock Trial
Spelling Bee Coordinator
Yearbook Advisor
Volleyball/Track Coach,
Master Technology Trainer
UIL Ready Writing
UIL Maps, Charts, Graphs
UIL Dictionary Skills
UIL Editorial Writing
Duke Scholars
Mentor to Students
Mentor to Teachers
NJWPT Trainer
Secondary Writing Cadre
Secondary Language Literacy
Team
Team Leader
Department Chair
Education:
MA in Humanities in Teaching Literature, University of Texas at Dallas, 2001.
Thesis awarded with distinction: Dissent and Rebellion in the New World: A Colonial
Literature Unit for At-Risk, Rebellious Youth
UT-Dallas Teacher Certification Program, 1988-1989
B.A. in Literature from UT-Dallas, 1988
Certifications:
New Jersey Writing Project in Texas Trainer
Certified 6-12 English
EC-12 English as a Second Language
EC-4 Generalist
Gifted and Talented Endorsement
Experience:
McKinney Independent School District, 2001 to present..
Garland Independent School District, Garland, Texas, 1994-2001
Weise Memorial Academy, Richardson, Texas 1992-1994
Plano Independent School District, Plano, Texas 1989-1992
Specialized Training:
Understanding by Design, AVID, New Jersey Writing Project/Abydos International, Jane
Schaffer, Scottish Rite Alpha Phonics/Dyslexia Training, Reading Renaissance, AP and
Pre-AP, Gifted and Talented (60 +hours), Differentiated Instruction, Project Wild, Love
and Logic, Intel Teach to the Future, KERA Teacher Core 2001, E-Instruction, Inspiration
Microsoft Master Technology Trainer: Technology Course Offerings:
Taught GISD Classes in: Web Design, MS PowerPoint , Excel , Windows 95, 98, 2000,
ME, Access , MSWord, MS Publisher, Novell GroupWise, Internet Explorer, Scanners,
Digital Cameras, Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
Full Version, Encarta, Lightspan
Publications
Dallas Morning News Editorial Voices, published regularly in the Collin County
Education Edition. 2007
“Walking Rosie,” Artifact This!, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, July 2006
“Walden Visited,” Sally Lou is Here, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, July 2005
“A Reflection on Seeking Diversity,” Sally Lou is Here, New Jersey Writing Project in
Texas, July 2005
“A Buoy,” 2X+32Y=1GR8 Read, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, July 2004
“For Aaron,” From Intimidation to Publication, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas,
June 2003
“An Evening With the Fellowship,” From Intimidation to Publication, New Jersey Writing
Project in Texas, June 2003
“From TAAS to TAKS: Helping Your Child Master Writing”, PTO Parlor, September 2002
“Deadline,” Another Knot in the Counting Rope, New Jersey Writing Project Summer
Institute, June 2002
“Advice,” Another Knot in the Counting Rope, New Jersey Writing Project Summer
Institute, June 2002
"Blueberries", R&E Journal, Winter 2001
“Miracles Will Never Cease,” Tea Time Treasures: An Anthology of Writing, New Jersey
Writing Project in Texas Summer Writing Institute, June 1999
"Maria", Carlow College, Top Ten Freshman Essays, 1985
The MST Viking (School Yearbook, 1994-2001)
Awards:
CERT Olympics. Team took two silvers and two bronze medals.
Cert Olympics. Team took gold!
Renaissance Reading Master Classroom 2002-2006
Renaissance Reading, Model Classroom 2002-2006
Nominated, American Teacher Awards (2000,2001, 2002)
Outstanding College Students of America 1987
Dean's List 1987 to current
Phi Chi Theta, Epsilon Alpha Chapter 1986
Pittsburgh Library Association, Top Ten High School Poets
Community:
CERT 6: Community Emergency Response Team
Boy Scouts of America, den leader and committee member
Memberships:
National Council of Teachers of English
Texas Council of Teachers of English
National Education Association
Parent Teacher Association/Organization
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Texas State Teachers Association
Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the Early American Witches (Historical Group)
MA in Humanities in Teaching Literature, University of Texas at Dallas, 2001.
Thesis awarded with distinction: Dissent and Rebellion in the New World: A Colonial
Literature Unit for At-Risk, Rebellious Youth
UT-Dallas Teacher Certification Program, 1988-1989
B.A. in Literature from UT-Dallas, 1988
Certifications:
New Jersey Writing Project in Texas Trainer
Certified 6-12 English
EC-12 English as a Second Language
EC-4 Generalist
Gifted and Talented Endorsement
Experience:
McKinney Independent School District, 2001 to present..
Garland Independent School District, Garland, Texas, 1994-2001
Weise Memorial Academy, Richardson, Texas 1992-1994
Plano Independent School District, Plano, Texas 1989-1992
Specialized Training:
Understanding by Design, AVID, New Jersey Writing Project/Abydos International, Jane
Schaffer, Scottish Rite Alpha Phonics/Dyslexia Training, Reading Renaissance, AP and
Pre-AP, Gifted and Talented (60 +hours), Differentiated Instruction, Project Wild, Love
and Logic, Intel Teach to the Future, KERA Teacher Core 2001, E-Instruction, Inspiration
Microsoft Master Technology Trainer: Technology Course Offerings:
Taught GISD Classes in: Web Design, MS PowerPoint , Excel , Windows 95, 98, 2000,
ME, Access , MSWord, MS Publisher, Novell GroupWise, Internet Explorer, Scanners,
Digital Cameras, Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
Full Version, Encarta, Lightspan
Publications
Dallas Morning News Editorial Voices, published regularly in the Collin County
Education Edition. 2007
“Walking Rosie,” Artifact This!, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, July 2006
“Walden Visited,” Sally Lou is Here, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, July 2005
“A Reflection on Seeking Diversity,” Sally Lou is Here, New Jersey Writing Project in
Texas, July 2005
“A Buoy,” 2X+32Y=1GR8 Read, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, July 2004
“For Aaron,” From Intimidation to Publication, New Jersey Writing Project in Texas,
June 2003
“An Evening With the Fellowship,” From Intimidation to Publication, New Jersey Writing
Project in Texas, June 2003
“From TAAS to TAKS: Helping Your Child Master Writing”, PTO Parlor, September 2002
“Deadline,” Another Knot in the Counting Rope, New Jersey Writing Project Summer
Institute, June 2002
“Advice,” Another Knot in the Counting Rope, New Jersey Writing Project Summer
Institute, June 2002
"Blueberries", R&E Journal, Winter 2001
“Miracles Will Never Cease,” Tea Time Treasures: An Anthology of Writing, New Jersey
Writing Project in Texas Summer Writing Institute, June 1999
"Maria", Carlow College, Top Ten Freshman Essays, 1985
The MST Viking (School Yearbook, 1994-2001)
Awards:
CERT Olympics. Team took two silvers and two bronze medals.
Cert Olympics. Team took gold!
Renaissance Reading Master Classroom 2002-2006
Renaissance Reading, Model Classroom 2002-2006
Nominated, American Teacher Awards (2000,2001, 2002)
Outstanding College Students of America 1987
Dean's List 1987 to current
Phi Chi Theta, Epsilon Alpha Chapter 1986
Pittsburgh Library Association, Top Ten High School Poets
Community:
CERT 6: Community Emergency Response Team
Boy Scouts of America, den leader and committee member
Memberships:
National Council of Teachers of English
Texas Council of Teachers of English
National Education Association
Parent Teacher Association/Organization
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Texas State Teachers Association
Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the Early American Witches (Historical Group)