SISD Teacher Achieves Nation's Highest Honor: Alvarez Earns National Board Certification
Gus Birdwell Elementary (GBE) first-grade teacher Alejandra Alvarez has achieved the profession's highest standard, earning National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) status on December 6, 2025.
The NBCT certification is a rigorous, voluntary process requiring hundreds. Candidates must pass a content knowledge assessment and submit three extensive portfolio entries, including classroom videos and deep analysis of student work.
"I found the reflection piece of the certification process to be the most beneficial," Alvarez said. "It required me to focus on my decisions as a teacher and slow down to look at what I was doing as a teacher each day."
Alvarez noted the difficulty of documenting her daily decision-making: "When you have to pause to think about the decisions and then write them down, I found it to be challenging."
Mrs. Alvarez’s journey with SISD is one of continuous rise. She currently teaches first grade at GBE, a role she's held for five years, following a tenure as a pre-kindergarten teacher.
Her dedication began while she was still a college student, starting as an SISD substitute before moving into a full-time paraprofessional role at GBE. She impressively balanced full-time work and full-time studies to earn her bachelor's degree. Not stopping there, she later earned her master’s degree in education leadership while teaching full-time.
Now among the elite group of NBCTs, Alvarez is looking ahead.
"I am up for the challenge and want to make a bigger impact; whatever that looks like, I'm up for it!" she stated, revealing her future goal is to earn a PhD.
"Congratulations to Alejandra Alvarez on an amazing job well done," the district stated. "We are very proud of your accomplishments."
Gus Birdwell Elementary (GBE) first-grade teacher Alejandra Alvarez has achieved the profession's highest standard, earning National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) status on December 6, 2025.
The NBCT certification is a rigorous, voluntary process requiring hundreds. Candidates must pass a content knowledge assessment and submit three extensive portfolio entries, including classroom videos and deep analysis of student work.
"I found the reflection piece of the certification process to be the most beneficial," Alvarez said. "It required me to focus on my decisions as a teacher and slow down to look at what I was doing as a teacher each day."
Alvarez noted the difficulty of documenting her daily decision-making: "When you have to pause to think about the decisions and then write them down, I found it to be challenging."
Mrs. Alvarez’s journey with SISD is one of continuous rise. She currently teaches first grade at GBE, a role she's held for five years, following a tenure as a pre-kindergarten teacher.
Her dedication began while she was still a college student, starting as an SISD substitute before moving into a full-time paraprofessional role at GBE. She impressively balanced full-time work and full-time studies to earn her bachelor's degree. Not stopping there, she later earned her master’s degree in education leadership while teaching full-time.
Now among the elite group of NBCTs, Alvarez is looking ahead.
"I am up for the challenge and want to make a bigger impact; whatever that looks like, I'm up for it!" she stated, revealing her future goal is to earn a PhD.
"Congratulations to Alejandra Alvarez on an amazing job well done," the district stated. "We are very proud of your accomplishments."
With guests in and out of your home, now’s the time to put safe gun storage on your holiday to-do list. Learn how to store guns safely at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.
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The Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Team collaborated to analyze data, identify student needs, and design a meaningful action plan for student success.
📢 Programa de Comidas Gratuitas para Estudiantes de Spearman ISD 🍎
Spearman ISD quiere asegurarse de que nuestros estudiantes estén alimentados durante los días en que la escuela no está en sesión.
¡Las comidas gratuitas están disponibles para los estudiantes que califican para Comidas Gratis y a Precio Reducido!
📍 Lugar de Recogida: Puerta #12 de GBE
🕚 Horario de Recogida: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📅 Fechas: 8 de diciembre
👉 No olvides enviar el formulario de Google para participar:
🔗
https://forms.gle/7DUCRbSxRqWaQQh78
📢 Spearman ISD Free Student Meal Program 🍎
Spearman ISD wants to ensure our students are fed during the days school is not in session.
Free meals are available for students who qualify for Free & Reduced Meals!
📍 Pick-up Location: GBE Door #12
🕚 Pick-up Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📅 Dates: December 8
👉 Don’t forget to submit the Google Form to participate:
🔗https://forms.gle/7DUCRbSxRqWaQQh78
Good luck to our Lynx at the White Deer Tournament today!!! 🔥 🏀
• 12/5-9:00 AM – vs. Canyon JV (Complex Gym)
• 12/5-5:45 PM – vs. White Deer (Complex Gym)
• 12/6-10:00 AM – vs. Canadian (Complex Gym)
Let’s go, Lynx!! 🔥🐾
We wish our Lynxettes the best of luck at the White Deer tournament!
You're Invited to a Holiday Paint Party!
When: Dec. 14th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Price for Entry: $20/per person OR ask about group deals
Contact D'Arcy Roberts - darcy.roberts@spearmanisd.net
When: Dec. 14th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Price for Entry: $20/per person OR ask about group deals
Contact D'Arcy Roberts - darcy.roberts@spearmanisd.net
Shoutout to everyone celebrating National Special Education Day! Thank you to the dedicated professionals who create inclusive, affirming, and effective learning environments. Your work is truly essential and deeply appreciated. Every child deserves to shine! ✨
SHS Floral Design Students Fundraising Event
Pre-order your Christmas arrangements today - $20 each ($3 delivery fee for non-students)
Please specify if you would like Candy Canes in your design.
Orders due by Wednesday, December 10th
Pre-order your Christmas arrangements today - $20 each ($3 delivery fee for non-students)
Please specify if you would like Candy Canes in your design.
Orders due by Wednesday, December 10th
🔥🏀GAMEDAY🏀🔥
Home court. Big crowds. Big plays.
Let’s get it, Lynx & Lynxettes! 💪 🏀⚡️💜
Home court. Big crowds. Big plays.
Let’s get it, Lynx & Lynxettes! 💪 🏀⚡️💜
GBE is now accepting Kindergarten GT Referrals for 2025-2026!
Students in Kindergarten may be referred.
Referrals will be accepted from Dec. 1st through Dec. 16th at 10:00 a.m.
Please stop by the elementary campus office and complete the referral form.
Students will go through a screening process to determine eligibility.
For more information, please contact Cayla Schroeder, Asst. Principal, at 806-659-2565.
Students in Kindergarten may be referred.
Referrals will be accepted from Dec. 1st through Dec. 16th at 10:00 a.m.
Please stop by the elementary campus office and complete the referral form.
Students will go through a screening process to determine eligibility.
For more information, please contact Cayla Schroeder, Asst. Principal, at 806-659-2565.
The district assessment calendar is a resource designed to help students, families, and staff stay informed and plan ahead for upcoming testing dates. Thank you for partnering with us to support student success throughout the year!
⚫️🟣🏈🐾🔥G-A-M-E-D-A-Y 🔥🐾 🏈⚫️🟣
☀️RISE AND SHINE, LYNX FANS! ☀️
TODAY is a BIG day for our L•Y•N•X•!
🆚: Cisco
📍: Lubbock-Cooper HS
📅: Friday, Nov. 28th
⏰: 2:00 pm
Go Lynx! 🐾
🎄🎶✨ You’re Invited! ✨🎶🎄
Spearman ISD warmly invites you to our Christmas Band Concert on December 4th, 2025, at 6 PM in the SHS Auditorium!
Enjoy a festive evening filled with holiday spirit and wonderful music performed by our SHS and SJH bands.
Spearman ISD warmly invites you to our Christmas Band Concert on December 4th, 2025, at 6 PM in the SHS Auditorium!
Enjoy a festive evening filled with holiday spirit and wonderful music performed by our SHS and SJH bands.
🟣LYNX FOOTBALL TICKET INFO🟣
🏈ROUND 3🏈
Spearman Lynx
🆚
Cisco Loboes
📆: Friday, Nov. 28th
⏰: 2:00 PM
📍: Lubbock-Cooper High School
🎟: Cashless Gate:
Tickets can be purchased in advance, or you can buy “walk-up” tickets at the gate using a credit/debit card.
🎫: The following passes will be honored:
District • THSCA • Senior Citizen
🎫: Adults $5 | Students $3
Online link below:
https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DLSR
Go LYNX!🐾
🏈ROUND 3🏈
Spearman Lynx
🆚
Cisco Loboes
📆: Friday, Nov. 28th
⏰: 2:00 PM
📍: Lubbock-Cooper High School
🎟: Cashless Gate:
Tickets can be purchased in advance, or you can buy “walk-up” tickets at the gate using a credit/debit card.
🎫: The following passes will be honored:
District • THSCA • Senior Citizen
🎫: Adults $5 | Students $3
Online link below:
https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DLSR
Go LYNX!🐾
📣 Game Day Alert!🚨
Our Spearman Lynx take on the Cisco Loboes Friday, November 28th at 2 PM at Lubbock-Cooper High Schoo!🏈🔥
Bring the noise, bring the energy, and PACK THE STANDS!
Go Lynx! 🐾
Happy Substitute Teacher Day!
Today we honor our amazing substitute teachers who step in with flexibility, patience, and professionalism. Your willingness to support our classrooms, adapt at a moment’s notice, and keep learning moving forward makes a tremendous impact.
Thank you for all you do—our schools couldn’t function without you!
Today we honor our amazing substitute teachers who step in with flexibility, patience, and professionalism. Your willingness to support our classrooms, adapt at a moment’s notice, and keep learning moving forward makes a tremendous impact.
Thank you for all you do—our schools couldn’t function without you!
⚫️🟣🏈🐾🔥G-A-M-E-D-A-Y 🔥🐾 🏈⚫️🟣
☀️RISE AND SHINE, LYNX FANS! ☀️
TONIGHT is a BIG day for our L•Y•N•X•!
🏆: Area Round
🆚: Anson
📍: Abernathy HS
📅: Friday, Nov. 21st
⏰: 7:00 pm
We are the visiting team. Go Lynx!
Mrs. Roberts’ Floral Design class is hard at work creating beautiful Cornucopia arrangements! Their creativity and attention to detail are truly shining.
