Spearman ISD - Dedicated to Education...Committed to Excellence

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proclaimed October 2024 as “Principals Month” in Texas. In honor of the principals and assistant principal, Spearman ISD recognizes the elementary and secondary administrators. We have high expectations of our school principals. They are expected to be instructional leaders and set the tone for academic excellence. They are disciplinarians, budget managers, and so much more. They have the job of maintaining and building school morale and keeping up with the changes that occur often. We are thankful for their leadership of nearly 700 students across the district. Lizet Olmos is the principal at Gus Birdwell Elementary. This is her second year as principal and was the assistant principal prior to the change in position. Her first childhood school memory is in kindergarten where she had Mrs. Stinson for her teacher. “Mrs. Stinson was my teacher. I don’t remember much, but I do remember a paddle by the chalkboard. She never really touched it, but the letters written on the board were ESL. In my little mind, ESL meant to “Learn to speak English or else!” I can tell you I learned English fairly quickly!” stated Olmos. A fun fact about Olmos is she can play soccer. She loves to watch movies with her husband, and one of their favorite series is Friday Night Lights. Her parents are who she looks up to as they are selfless, hardworking, humble, and are continuously helping her grow in her faith. A challenge she faces as principal is that when people see the title Principal, they may expect perfection or an expert. “I am just an ordinary person trying my best to learn and grow in the profession each and every day,” shared Olmos. The easiest part of her day is loving the kids. Olmos commented, “Our students teach us more that we could ever teach them.” Congratulations on a job well done!

💕💜PINK•OUT•OCTOBER•25th 💜💕 Orders are due October 11th at all school offices. * No late orders will be accepted *

"Banking on the Lynx and Lynxettes" was the theme for the students last Friday as First State Bank celebrated the first six weeks with grab and go snacks.

SISD Staff Spotlight Jazmine Hearon has joined the Little Lynx Daycare. She is married to Marshall, and they have two children. Hearon attended Arizona Western College and studied radio broadcasting/communication. Her future goals are to enjoy life with family and see her children grow into successful adults. Reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends are some of her favorite things to do in her spare time. Welcome to SISD, Jazmine Hearon!

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proclaimed October 2024 as “Principals Month” in Texas. In honor of the principals and assistant principal, Spearman ISD recognizes the elementary and secondary administrators. We have high expectations of our school principals. They are expected to be instructional leaders and set the tone for academic excellence. They are disciplinarians, budget managers, and so much more. They have the job of maintaining and building school morale and keeping up with the changes that occur often. We are thankful for their leadership of nearly 700 students across the district. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” is Karina Baca’s favorite scripture that she lives by. Karina Baca is the new Spearman Junior High principal. She was the assistant principal prior to her change in position. You will see Baca greeting her students at the door every morning as they enter the building. She believes this is a great way to build relationships with the students and staff. “I like to build relationships with the students and staff members,” stated Baca. Showing up for work every day is the easiest part of her day. She wanted to become a principal because she wanted to help make a change in society by guiding students to become successful young men and women. Her three children and husband inspire her to strive to be better. Her favorite teacher was Mr. Murdock as he also inspired her to be the person she is today. If she could go on a dream vacation, she would be in Hawaii or at a Disney Resort. Thank you for your service!

Today we recognize SISD's custodians on National Custodian Appreciation Day. This group of employees go above and beyond to keep our schools sanitized, cleaned, and orderly, so the students are able to learn in an environment that is conducive to success. We appreciate all they do!

Thank you to First State Bank for providing the students a grab and go snack after school to celebrate the first six weeks of school. We appreciate the partnership!

GOOD LUCK to our Spearman Jr. High and Spearman High School cross-country teams competing today! October 1st, 2024 Palo Duro Lake Park Go Lynx and Lynxettes! 💜

Tomorrow is Future Awareness Day. Wear your favorite college, career, or military shirt.

SISD Staff Spotlight Shannon Jackson is the high school principal. She is married to Michael, and they have two daughters and one son. They also have one granddaughter. Jackson’s children all graduated from Spearman High School, and she taught math at Spearman Junior High School several years ago. Prior to her principalship in Spearman, she was the principal at Ludi Pena Martin AEC, Perryton, Texas. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her granddaughter. Welcome to the team, Shannon Jackson!

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proclaimed October 2024 as “Principals Month” in Texas. In honor of the principals and assistant principal, Spearman ISD recognizes the elementary and secondary administrators. We have high expectations of our school principals. They are expected to be instructional leaders and set the tone for academic excellence. They are disciplinarians, budget managers, and so much more. They have the job of maintaining and building school morale and keeping up with the changes that occur often. We are thankful for their leadership of nearly 700 students across the district. Shannon Jackson is the Spearman High School principal. She was the principal at Lune Pena in Perryton prior to her new position in Spearman. You might be surprised to learn that Jackson can drive a tractor, semi, and a tandem truck. She has worked on her family farm for many years and has skills to prove it. Jackson shared a memory from her younger years at Catholic School, “The nuns would not let me switch hands to write. They made me choose left or right. I wrote the same with each, so I chose the left to be different from everyone else.” A trip to Ireland would be a dream vacation for Jackson. Her favorite quote is “We rise from others”. Jackson shared one of her challenges about being a principal, “Helping teachers and students understand what I do and say is to help them grow and be successful throughout their lives not just in school.” Welcome to Spearman High School!

Spearman XC Meet Oct. 1, 2024 Palo Duro Lake Park 2:00 p.m JV Girls (2 miles) 2:30 p.m Varsity Girls (2 miles) 3:00 p.m. JV Boys\5A-6A Varsity Girls (3 miles) 3:30 p.m. Varsity Boys (3 miles) 4:00 p.m. JH Girls (2 miles) 4:30 p.m. JH Boys (2 miles) Team and Individual Medals will be awarded.

Join us in celebrating the many opportunities students have for their future goals. Future Awareness Day is Wednesday, October 2nd. Wear your favorite college, career, or military shirt.

SISD Staff Spotlight Betty Garcia is the DAEP teacher for Spearman ISD. She is married to Radar, and they have three children. Prior to working for SISD, Garcia taught in Perryton, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University, and plans to earn a master’s degree in the future. Singing, crocheting, and painting are a few of her favorite hobbies. She also enjoys learning new hobbies. Welcome to the team, Betty Garcia!

Coach Klafka was recently interviewed by a former coach who runs a state wide social media site. Enjoy his interview: (Credit Source: Coaches Corner) Dustin Klafka - Head Girls Basketball/Girls Coordinator Spearman High school. “I’m a big “why” and “purpose” guy. We talk and teach a lot about both with our athletes and coaches. First of all I believe coaching is a calling. It’s also my belief that to truly be a transformational coach and not just a transactional your leadership style has to start with why you do what do. I’m a big Simon Sinek fan I’ve read all his stuff and one of his big things is that “People don’t buy what you do they buy why you do it.” That being said my why is to inspire purpose driven lives and touch those lives positively.” “This is probably the toughest question for me. We’ve been fortunate enough to win a lot of games with a lot of great kids. Two years into our program here in Spearman last year we were able to win our district, which has always been extremely difficult with the likes of Canadian, Bushland, Dalhart and so, for the first time in 10 years and play in a regional quarterfinal game for the first time in forever. But all that being said I think I’m proudest of the relationships we built with kids, parents, and colleagues over the years. To get a call or text from a former player is so much more rewarding than any gold ball than we’ve ever won.” “I’ve been blessed with a special family. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 24 years, Missy. Formerly Missy Frazier played and won a state championship playing for Legendary Coach Dean Weese that I still proudly call a friend and a mentor. Missy is the strongest, most selfless, competitive person I’ve ever met and serves on staff with me here as an assistant coach. Her and good Lord has blessed me with four kids. Brayden our oldest plays football at West Texas A&M university. Lexi is a freshman at WT and was starter and all-district player for us last year on our regional quarter final team. Blayne is a junior here at Spearman and loves football. Laramie is our youngest and we definitely started over with her. She is a 4th grader that loves basketball and acts just like her mom so I have no worries whatsoever about her. Truly been blessed far better than I deserve.”

SISD Staff Spotlight Kendall Snead is the junior high health teacher and assistant coach. She is married to Robbie, and they have two daughters. Snead is a Spearman High School graduate. She earned her bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and cosmetology degree from Clarendon College. Before entering the teaching profession, Snead was a hairstylist. Welcome to the team, Kendall Snead!

Sam and Cari Beauchamp gave the students in the GT program a great tour of their elevator and one of their cornfields just south of town on 760. Thank you, Beauchamps, for sharing your knowledge and expertise with the students.

Thank you to District nurse, Sally Swan, for organizing our school vaccine clinic. No matter the age, a lollipop always makes getting a shot a little bit better!

Spearman High School - Class of 2025 - had a fantastic visit and presentation from Oklahoma State University today. We were happy to welcome SISD School Board member (and college friend of the OSU recruiter), Abby Pipkin, to our presentation, as well. Go Pokes!

SISD Staff Spotlight Lorena (Fern) Ortega teaches kindergarten at Gus Birdwell Elementary. She and her husband, Adrian, have two children and a baby on the way. She is a Spearman High School graduate and worked for Spearman ISD as a paraprofessional and 2nd grade teacher before teaching in Sunray and Pringle Morse. Ortega earned an associate’s degree from Amarillo College and her bachelor's degree from West Texas A&M University. Her future plans include earning a master’s degree. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family. Welcome back, Fern Ortega!