UHMS July Update
Uplift Hampton Middle School Phoenix on the Rise!
A Word From Administration
Hello Incredible Phoenix Team!
If you’re receiving this note it only means one thing…there are only 40 days until college football starts! HA! It’s almost time for you to return to our amazing school. We welcome you to a fantastic new year! We know this upcoming school year will be incredible. We appreciate those of you who have attended staff development, read educational books, and/or took college classes this summer. Your extra efforts will go a long way in helping UHMS scholars become college ready. We are grateful to those of you who are returning, excited to work with those of you who are new, and we welcome you all to a year of growing, learning, and laughing together. We are eager to celebrate our successes and make plans for how to be incredible in the work we do with scholars and each other! So, get rested up… and enjoy your last days of summer vacation. We know you have many choices, thank you so much for choosing to be part of Team Phoenix. Dust off your super suit, we will see you soon.
With much gratitude and admiration,
Priscilla, Chataqua, Chrissy, and Jabez
Welcome to the Uplift Hampton Middle School Team!!
Marisha Ash
Hello future colleagues! My name is Marisha (marie-sha) Ash and I am elated about joining Uplift Hampton! This will be my first year solo-teaching but my fourth year working in middle schools. I am finishing my residency year at Uplift Luna where I co-taught 7th grade math. Although my new home is Dallas, I am originally from Wisconsin.
I have a bachelors in Mathematics and just completed the first half of my graduate program for a Masters of Education (class of 2020)! My top 3 values are God, Family, and Joy. It is a continuous goal to embody these core values, every single day, in and outside of the classroom. I look forward to meeting you all very soon :)
Latresa Clark
Hello. My name is Latresa Clark, and I am a proud wife and mother of six and have been a Texas resident for 13 years. I was born and reared in the beautiful community of Starkville, Mississippi, and relocated to Grambling, Lousiana, to later obtain a B.A. in Theatre and a M.A. in Mass Communications and Public Administration. I have over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry as a screenwriter, director, producer, vocalist, pianist, playwright, and much more. I have served in various educational roles including Fine Arts Coordinator, Director or Choral Activity, Piano Teacher, Acting Coach, Voice Instructor, English Instructor, and Theatre Director! I have been teaching children since I was a child, and I love it! With over 20 years of experience teaching, I ensure you that I have much wisdom, knowledge, skill, and love to offer the students of Uplift Hampton.
Kennedy Fudge
Kennedy Fudge is a native of Dallas, TX and graduate of Lancaster High School. She attended Uplift Hampton in it's very first year. Ms. Fudge received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Communication from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, an English honor society, and Alpha Chi. During undergrad she began her professional background in education as a private tutor and an Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) Instructor. She also has a professional background as a licensed insurance agent. In her spare time, Ms. Fudge loves pampering herself and spending time with friends and family. She is thrilled to be back home with former mentors and other staff members as she pursues her first year of teaching.
Kelly Anna Geiser
Hi! My name is Kelly Anna and I am from the beautiful coast of Southern California. I attended UCLA where I majored in Political Science and minored in Entrepreneurship. I am a first year teacher through Teach For America and I am so excited to begin my teaching career at Uplift Hampton Middle School!
Tasha Dixon
My name is Tasha Dixon, and I am excited to join the Uplift community as a 6th grade science teacher and team lead. I have been in the field of education for 12 years since obtaining my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington, and have since attained my Master of Education at Lamar University. My passion is to challenge and inspire young scholars to transform into productive citizens in the community by using their knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in the world. I look forward to being a part of this awesome team and moving students toward success!
Bella Fuentes
Bella is Latina born and raised in Long Beach, California. Bella will be graduated with her Bachelor's degree from UCLA this past June and is very excited to move to Dallas from Long Beach and begin working at Uplift Hampton this upcoming school year! She is very passionate about empowering students through a social justice lens and about helping students reach higher education.
Gabby Rose
Hello! My name is Gabby Rose and I am so excited to be starting at Uplift Hampton Middle School this year as an Urban Teachers math resident! I’m originally from Cleveland, but I just graduated from Amherst College as a Math and Psychology double major. My goals for the year are to make positive connections with scholars and support them in any way that I can, in or outside of the classroom. I’m looking forward to working with all of you this year!
Joe Sanders
Peace and greetings! My name is Joe Sanders II. I am excited to join the Uplift Hampton family. I am walking into my second year of education. I received my BA in Psychology at UNT Dallas and my MA in Counseling at Prairie View A&M University. My goal is to reach those who others have thrown away and labeled as “unreachable and unteachable.” I look forward to the challenges and experiences this year may hold.
Shenika Lewis
Hello! My name is Shenika Lewis and I am thrilled to say this is my 9th year teaching. I grew up in Oakland, Ca. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. I began my teaching career in Dallas Independent School District where I taught for five years, followed by one year in Everman Independent School District. I have been teaching for Uplift four year now. I have taught kinder, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade. This is my first year teaching middle school.
I enjoy reading, working out, and spending time with family.
Uplift Hampton Middle School 2019 - 2020 Strategic Priorities
UHMS Summer Professional Development
The UHMS Professional Development Calendar for Week I is below. Look for your name to determine if you need to attend the first week professional development. If you are new to Uplift, a teacher going into your 2nd year of being the teacher on record, a Resident Teacher, or a Teacher Assistants, we’ll see you on Monday, July 22nd at Uplift Hampton. Third year and beyond teachers do not have to physically report to campus until July 29th. Third year and beyond teachers are welcome to attend any of the first week staff development and/or come in to begin setting up your classrooms. All academic staff are responsible for all content being presented if you attend the sessions or not. If you need a refresher, attend the sessions. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Priscilla.
Please Complete This Link!
Important Announcements and Information!
Mandatory Online Modules – There are several mandatory online modules that must be completed. HR will send an email regarding the mandatory online modules and benefits enrollment. Pay close attention not to miss any deadlines. If you have any questions, please reach out to a member of the Leadership Team.
Summer Pictures Wanted: Please send Priscilla pictures of you and your family and/or friends enjoying activities this summer.
6th Grade Teachers Mandatory Training: All Uplift 6th grade teachers will attend Owning Up training on July 26th. Created in collaboration with children and teens, Owning Up helps young people identify and be critical thinkers of social issues in their lives―from bullying and harassment in the classroom to systems of power and oppression in the world around them. It combines discussions, games, and role-playing to engage adolescents in the complexities of social culture and exploring critical topics such as media analysis, gender, sexual harassment, racism, gossip, and self-image. Owning Up will only run across 6th grade during advisory. 6th grade was chosen specifically because it allows us to impart important SEL skills to scholars at a critical developmental time, and will also help set the tone for socially-emotionally healthy school culture. If you have any questions, reach out to Chataqua or Priscilla.
New TEKS: The State has revised ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten through twelfth grade, which were approved by the board, and are now posted. The recently approved language arts and reading standards which underwent major restructuring and revisions. You may find the new approved language arts and reading standards along with the other TEKs here.
Course Structures and Common Assessments: Course Structures and Common Assessments are now up on Blackboard. Please review these and use them for planning. If you have any feedback on alignment or rigor, please compile this feedback with your team and email it to your dean ASAP.
Thinking of what else to buy or theme ideas for your classroom? Consider this year’s emphasis on the Joy & Love of Reading, IB Global-Mindedness, and College Preparation. There is an increased focus on classroom libraries and making the library the focal point of your classroom. We’ve heard some great ideas already from a few teachers and can’t wait to see how the rest of the staff will bring the sparkle to their classroom!
Use It or Lose It: All employee Vacation and Local Days will be lost if not used or donated by August 31. HR reminder:
- Vacation and Local Days do not roll over.
- State Days (we receive 5 per year) do roll over
Employees can donate the soon to be lost time to the Shared Time Donor Program with the below link. This allows our colleagues who have exhausted PTO for things such as medical emergencies, to access additional time. We strongly encourage you to participate in this opportunity. https://ishine.uplifteducation.org/cmo/HR/Pages/Shared-Leave-Donation.aspx
Save the Date
July 22nd - 26th: New Teacher Training (All Teachers new to Uplift, teachers going into 2nd year of being the teacher on record, Resident Teachers, and Teacher Assistants)
July 26th: Owning Up Training – All 6th Grade Teachers
July 29th - August 2nd: All Instructional Staff Training (Everyone Including SPED and ESL)
July 30th: Collaboration Day (All Staff at Different Locations)
August 1st: Uplift Convocation will be on August 1st from 10am -12pm at the Verizon Theater in GP and Dr. Johnnetta Cole will be our keynote speaker be our keynote speaker. What is Convocation? It’s this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEB_Q9zkajQ
August 1st: Back to School Blast at 5:30pm
August 6th: First Day of School!ABOUT US
Here's How to Reach Us!
Priscilla Parhms 469.236.2900 pparhms@uplifteducation.org
Chrissy Cormier 214.326.3002 ccormier@uplifteducation.org
Chataqua Mangum 972.897.4659 cmangum@uplifteducation.org
Jabez Deacon 414.562.7592 jdeacon@uplifteducation.org
Website: https://www.uplifteducation.org/Page/13790
Location: 8915 South Hampton Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-421-1982