Education

The Odessa College Office of Student Activities hosted the

Students learn confidence and style on the runway

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

For Albert Jones, walking down the runway at Odessa College in a suit and a pair of dress shoes was a unique experience. Jones, a 22-year-old student at Odessa College, said he was nervous originally because he had never worn a full suit or pair of...... Full story

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK: Feb. 20, 2012 - Feb. 25, 2012

oalife@oaoa.com

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BLANTON Daily: 7:45 a.m., Blanton news team presented by David Wardlaw’s sixth-grade class. Wednesday: Jump Rope for Heart due. Friday: Blanton spirit day, wear blue and orange. BURLESON Daily: 7:30 a.m.,...... Full story

ECISD MENUS: Feb. 20, 2012 - Feb. 24, 2012

oalife@oaoa.com

Following are the menus for Feb. 20 through Feb. 24.PRE-K BREAKFAST Monday: Apple muffin top, juice, milk. Tuesday: Peanut butter and jelly uncrustable, juice, milk. Wednesday: Gogurt and graham crackers, juice, milk. Thursday: Berry smash...... Full story

Odessa High geometry teacher Kristina Garcia, center, comments during a Professional Learning Community meeting with other geometry teachers Wednesday morning in her classroom. Other teachers pictured are Jimmy Low, left, and Emalee Blau.

Teachers meet weekly to discuss curriculum

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

Each week, during their conference periods, teachers in the Ector County Independent School District are meeting.The teachers meet with their department as part of the Professional Learning Community meetings, as required by district administrators....... Full story

[NR] UTPB MBA program earns top nod in U.S. News & World Report

Teaching practices, student engagement & services contribute

BY MELANIE NICHOLS

NEWS RELEASE UT Permian Basin’s focus on student performance and quality instruction has earned the institution another national recognition. In January, U.S. News & World Report ranked UTPB’s online master’s degree in business...... Full story

UT Permian Basin business professor Dr. Leslie Toombs and former graduate student Brad Potts reconnect on campus after learning that U.S. News & World Report just named the university's Online MBA Program one of the best in the country. Potts graduated with his MBA in May 2010. Potts said the U.S. News & World Report honor only reinforced his recommendation of the program and the faculty. ‘I would encourage anyone interested in an MBA to choose UTPB. The program allowed me the flexibility to take care of work and family obligations while pursuing my degree.'

[NR] UTPB grad reaps benefits of award-winning online MBA program

By Melanie Nicholas

NEWS RELEASE Midlander Brad Potts is a lot of things. He’s a diehard Texas Tech football fan who loves to barbecue and watch movies. He’s a racecar aficionado, especially the Ferrari Formula 1 team, and a lover of Chuck Norris jokes. He...... Full story

ECISD board plans to discuss Educational Philosophy

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

The Ector County Independent School District’s board of trustees will meet for a regular board meeting to discuss several policy proposals, the superintendent’s evaluation and approve several reports.Tom Pace, board president for ECISD,...... Full story

Permian High junior Krista Foxworth, 17, works on her work

Students to bring art to Permian

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

More than 300 entries from students across the region will be judged Saturday by local artists at Permian High School. The Visual Art Scholastic Event, sponsored by the Texas Art Education Association, is a state and regional art competition for...... Full story

New Tech Odessa enrollment

ODESSA AMERICAN

New Tech Odessa officials plan to fill the first 60 slots for next year’s freshman class on Saturday at Ratliff Stadium. The campus, which will add a class each year until there are four grades, plans to enroll up to 120 students in its...... Full story

Permian students arrested on drug charges

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

District police were a presence in many classrooms at Permian High School on Thursday as several students were pulled from class and four arrested following drug related accusations. Brandon Alex Beene, 17, and Celeen Alysson Solis, 17, were...... Full story

Printmaker coming

ODESSA AMERICAN

Joseph Velasquez known as a printmaker, will be exhibiting his techniques from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 29 and March 1 in the UTPB visual arts parking lot. Velasquez will mix wood, ink and a steam roller to make industrialized prints...... Full story

Dance explosion tonight

OA LIFE

‘Dance Explosion,’ sponsored by the Panther Paws, is a celebration of dance styles. All Permian High School dance classes, the JV and varsity squads, as well as Future Paws participants will dance. Black Magic will also perform. It is...... Full story

Representatives from AVID programs at other school districts visit an AVID classroom Thursday morning at LBJ Elementary. ECISD had been selected as a model district for implementing the AVID program at all levels of education.

Visitors learn how AVID works in ECISD

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

The Ector County Independent School District has been using a college readiness program for the past five years and on Thursday it was used as a model for a few districts across the nation to view. The Advancement Via Individual Determination...... Full story

Andrews teacher files appeal on termination

ODESSA AMERICAN

Terri Ragland, a special education teacher in Andrews Independent School District, was proposed for termination by the board on Jan. 25 and on Tuesday she filed an appeal with the Texas Education Agency against the district’s decision. On...... Full story

Teri Cowan, former ECISD teacher, speaks to a crowd of approximately 40 people about her experiences before leaving the district Thursday at the Odessa Shrine Club.

Unhappy ECISD teachers meet

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

It has been a difficult year of changes for several teachers in the Ector County Independent School District, and many of them expressed their concerns at a Texas State Teachers Association meeting on Thursday night.About 45 people, mainly teachers,...... Full story