Kindergarten
Play, Learn, and Grow together!
Mrs. Urch Curriculum Specialist
Email: diana.urch@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: 512-841-2155
Strengths
Relator
Learner
Achiever
Deliberative
Strategic
I graduated from the University of New Orleans. This is my 9th year at Hart and my 23rd year in education! All of my experience is in first and second grade. I originally wanted to be a Math instructor at the college level, but ended up loving the primary grades and language arts! I spent the last 8 years as a REACH mentor with AISD. This allowed me to work with beginning teachers as they began their journey in education. My strength as Relator really helped me during my time as a mentor because I really had to spend time getting to know my teachers and what drives them. Each one is unique and really getting to know them helped me help them improve their teaching. As Curriculum Specialist this year, I continue to get to know my teachers and students so I can help each one improve upon their strengths. My second strength, Learner, is what I truly believe is the sign of a great educator. Great teachers love to learn and NEVER STOP LEARNING! I believe there is ALWAYS something that can be improved and teachers should be asking themselves at the end of EVERY DAY, "How can I make tomorrow better?" As an avid Learner, I decided to go through the rigorous certification process of becoming National Board Certified. I achieved this in 2013 and am very proud of this accomplishment. It is the most rigorous Professional Development I have ever experienced. I am proud to say that I am only 1 of 242 teachers that is National Board Certified in AISD, 1 of 854 in the state of Texas, and 1 of 110,447 Nationally. I believe my last 3 strengths, Achiever, Deliberative, and Strategic, help me accomplish every task I set out to do because I am "laser focused" and I don't like to waste time. I take our students' education very seriously and will work very hard and strategically every day to make sure every student learns every day!Mrs. Ayala Dual Language
Email: maria.ayala@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: (512) 841-2113
Strengths
Ideation
Includer
Individualization
Input
Adaptability
For me, teaching is a vocation, not a job. I discovered teaching in Graduate school when I was offered a T.A. position. In the classroom, I came alive. Thinking of new ways to present the information to my students, so they could develop the skills taught and come to a deep understanding of the concepts discussed in class, energized me. After this experience, I decided that I wanted to be a teacher more than a university professor. Therefore in 1998 I went to Region XIII and became certified as a Bilingual teacher and started my career as a teacher. I have taught for fifteen years and I have been lucky to teach all grade levels from Kinder to College. I currently teach Kindergarten where each day I get to discover the world with my students. I believe that all children can learn and try to create an environment of inclusion where everyone gets to be recognized. I make an effort to get to know each child as an individual and try to discover the best way to teach each one. I am committed to creating an enriching environment where students can flourish. My goal as a teacher is to help my students not only progress, but to excel. I consider it an honor to teach and I am glad I get to do it every day.
Mrs. Devlin Dual Language
Email: emily.devlin@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: 512-841-2159
Strengths
Empathy
Positivity
Ideation
Futuristic
Developer
I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009 with a double major in bilingual education and Spanish. This is my seventh year teaching. I have taught all primary grades, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd. In order for each student to be successful, they need to feel safe and respected in their classroom. I prioritize getting to know each student, then I build upon their interests so they can take control of their own learning. My positivity makes me a natural cheerleader, giving students the confidence and self-esteem to continue challenging themselves.
Awards: Hart Elementary Teacher of the Year 2013-2014
Ms. Glenn ESL
Email: kathryn.glenn@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: 512-841-2112
Strengths
Empathy
Developer
Positivity
Woo
Communication
I graduated from Texas State University in 2013 and began teaching kindergarten at Hart Elementary in 2014. It is important to me that each child feels safe and respected in the classroom. My goal is to build valuable relationships with my students and provide them with a sense of confidence in their ability to learn and grow.
Mr. King Dual Language
Email: michael.king@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: 512-841-2111
Strengths
Empathy
Adaptability
Positivity
Developer
Includer
I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Connecticut College in 2006 with a double major in Latin American Studies and Anthropology. It was my experiences abroad in Guatemala and Peru, working with children and their communities, that led me to become a teacher. I am fascinated by different cultures around the world and transfer these experiences to the classroom. I love to travel, setting out every summer on a new adventure that will enhance my understanding of the world. I love teaching. It is incredible to see the growth in these young individuals throughout the year.This is my eighth year in kindergarten with the last three years teaching in Austin ISD after five years in Boston Public Schools. I work towards fostering a student-centered learning environment where each student feels confident to guide discussions, ask questions and learn from one another. I believe it is important for students to connect real-world experience with what they are learning in school. As a teacher, my goal is help build a sense of community in the classroom and at home that will enable my students to become model citizens. I individualize scholar’s instruction to ensure that each student is given the tools that he or she needs for success.
Mrs. Littlefield ESL
Email: nancy.littlefield@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: 512-841-2156
Strengths
Input
Learner
Relator
Empathy
Developer
I graduated from the University of Texas in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. I showed my work for a few years and then decided to go back to school to get my certification in education. I joined the Huston-Tillotson University and received my teaching certificate in 2003. I have been working with Austin Independent School District since 2004. I have taught from the Kindergarten level all the way up to 3rd grade. I’ve been with the district for over 13 years working at Hart Elementary ever since. I take pride in my job working with young children and developing their education. I work very hard to ensure students have a safe and positive learning environment. In our class we strive to be Amazing Hart Rockets that are Responsible, On-Task, Cooperative, Kind, Enthusiastic Team Workers that succeed at everything they do. We strive for good work and also to have a good time while we learn! Our everyday learning includes daily lessons in all subjects as well as lessons in manners and respect. Building our learners takes a community of hard workers that take pride in all the hard work we do at Hart Elementary.
Mrs. Martinez Dual Language
Email: patricia.o.martinez@austinisd.org
Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/hart
Phone: 512-841-2150
Strengths
Includer
Learner
Responsibility
Positivity
Empathy
This is my eighteenth year of certification as an educator of children. I began my career in Fort Worth, TX, where I taught for 12 years, plus 6 additional years for AISD. My experience has been in Kinder through 3rd grade. It is very important to me, that I build a sense of community in my classroom which is safe, nurturing and a positive environment for my students. Throughout my many years of teaching, I have had the opportunity to reflect upon and learn how children’s brains learn. This has helped me to focus on providing developmentally appropriate activities which address the needs and differences of each student. My daily goals are to motivate, inspire, challenge and promote a LOVE for learning. In my class, we learn while having fun, learning to share, showing respect to one another, doing things independently, solving problems, being more assertive, and doing right by others.. My goals are that each student will achieve much more than learning how to read, write and do math, that they will grow and develop as a whole child.
Awards: Teacher of the Year, 1999, Manual Jara Elementary, FTW, TX