Madrigals and Chorale Women take 2023 top honors from across the nation

The Foundation for Music Education announced this year’s Mark of Excellence National Choral Honors Project winners and both the Montgomery Madrigals and the Choral Women’s Choir were named National Winners, receiving this honor for the third year in a row.

“Our choirs each gave a stunning performance and I am beyond proud of these students and their passion for choral excellence,” MHS Choir Director Heather Orr said. “This national honor is a product of the continued effort they give to their training and the way they rise to the top when they compete.”

The Mark of Excellence competition happens annually, with top choirs from across the country submitting recordings of their work. The 2023 competition had 446 submissions from choirs in 40 different states, with the top quarter of those submissions named as National Winners, two of those repeat winners from Montgomery HS.

“The music that comes out of the choir room at Montgomery HS is phenomenal art,” Montgomery HS Principal Noah Hollander said. “Heather is able to instill an amazing work ethic in her students and when that is paired with their talent and her amazing teaching skill, awards like this one are attainable.”

Heather Orr is serving her 23^rd year as Choir Director at Montgomery HS. Choirs under her direction consistently earn state and national awards and recognition while also being invited to perform at conventions and festivals around the country. All Montgomery HS choirs will be performing at Showtime Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Montgomery HS. Tickets are available at montgomerychoir.ludus.com.

Mrs. Rebecca DeBrosse of Montgomery High School has been recognized by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a recipient of the 2023 Yale Educator Award. The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence.

Students entering the Yale Class of 2027 were asked to nominate outstanding educators who have deeply impacted their lives. Mrs. DeBrosse was nominated for the award by Cole Haynes, Salutatorian of the 2023 graduating class of Montgomery High School. Of this year’s 385 nominees, who represent 43 states and 28 countries, 80 teachers and 32 counselors were selected to receive the award. As nominations were reviewed by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions, judges were constantly reminded of the unique and critical role that exceptional educators play in shaping their students’ futures by encouraging them to pursue their goals.

Yale is a top research university with a unique emphasis on undergraduate liberal arts education. All 6,400 undergraduate students enroll in Yale College, which offers more than 80 majors and hundreds of opportunities to conduct groundbreaking research. Undergraduates at Yale come from all 50 states and more than 80 foreign countries. More than 18% of Yale students will be the first in their families to complete a four-year degree, and 53% are US Citizens or Permanent Residents who identify as students of color. Yale offers admission to students without regard to their ability to pay and meets 100% of every student’s financial need with an award that does not include loans. Currently 64% of Yale undergraduates receive financial assistance, and Yale budgets more than $240 million annually for need-based financial aid. The 1,647 members of the Yale Class of 2027 who began their first semester in August 2023 graduated from more than 1,200 different high schools.

The Yale Admissions Office attributes the exceptional quality of the Yale student body to educators like these recipients of the 2023 Yale Educator Award, who shape their students long before they attend Yale. The Admissions Office is proud to thank Mrs. Rebecca DeBrosse for her ongoing efforts in motivating and supporting her students.

Seven students from Montgomery ISD attended the Lone Star Leadership Academy Camp, hosted by nonprofit Education in Action.

Lake Creek freshmen Joseph Hullihan and Hannah Zeek, Oak Hills eight graders Cole Dewese and Mikki Gassett and seventh grader Reagan Hullihan attended the Houston/Galveston camp, Oak Hills seventh grader Lyla Hazenberg attended the Austin/San Antonio camp, and Madeley Ranch fifth grader Emma Tatroe went to the Dallas/Fort Worth Camp.

Students were nominated by MISD educators to participate based on demonstrated leadership ability, academic success and involvement in school/community activities.

During the weeklong overnight camps, these students developed leadership skills. Participants experienced what they are learning in school through visits to notable and historically significant Texas sites including the Perot Museum, Dealey Plaza, the State Capitol Complex, The Alamo, NASA and Moody Gardens. At each location, students heard from professionals on a wide variety of unique careers related to the site visit.

The Lone Star Leadership Academy experience provides a unique opportunity for outstanding 4th – 8th grade students to learn about Texas leaders and what it means to be from the Lone Star State, according to a news release from host organization Education in Action. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem-solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups.

“Several of the MISD participants were nominated during the fifth-grade year,” Keenan Elementary teacher Lisa Miller said. “I am excited to see that they continue to attend the camps each summer. Each of these students are true leaders.”

Participants also spent time meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.

Montgomery ISD students performed above the state average in every tested area of the STAAR test in 2023. Results also indicate year-over-year academic gains against 2022 scores.

“These scores reflect the combined efforts of our amazing educators and families and their commitment to student success,” Montgomery ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Amy Busby said. “While the STAAR exam is only one indicator of achievement and not an all-encompassing measure of academic growth and success, we are very pleased that MISD students continue to outpace the region and state.”

Last spring, students across Texas took a redesigned STAAR test. The redesigned test included more open-ended questions and was, with a few exceptions, administered completely online.

“While we are encouraged by these scores, it is also important to remember that the changes in the test make it more challenging to compare data from year to year,” MISD Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Dr. Chris Summers said. “Because the test was redesigned with different benchmarks, it won’t be a true one-to-one comparison.”

The state’s A-F accountability system was also refreshed, despite calls from school districts and education advocacy groups asking TEA to consider pausing the letter grade ratings in light of the significant changes to the exam, and the timing in which they are rolled out. The state accountability system factors STAAR scores along with college and career readiness measures into awarding letter grades to school districts and each of its schools. A particular area of concern is the unexpected and significant changes made to scale scores for CCMR. The TEA changes made what was an “A” score on CCMR in 2022, a “C” in 2023. Adding to the frustration for school and district leaders is the fact that the 2023 CCMR scores will be assessed on students who graduated in 2022 and earlier, giving the district no ability at all to adjust to or address these new scoring changes. TEA expects to release accountability scores in September.

“There is concern among Texas educators that changes to TEA’s A-F accountability scores will create situations where schools that are performing at a level consistent with – or better than – the prior year may actually receive a lower letter grade,” Summers said. “The A-F system was designed to provide a quick overview of how schools are performing, but the changes to the scale may create a misconception that schools are performing worse than last year, when that is not the case.”

The Texas Accountability System evaluates the academic performance of Texas public schools as measured through standardized assessments such as STAAR and is one measure of how students are learning and succeeding in Montgomery ISD.

The Montgomery HS Madrigal Choir just returned from their first international trip to Canada. They were selected to perform at the Pro Musica International Choral Festival in Kingston, Ontario.

The Pro Musica International Choral Festival is an educational initiative of Albany Pro Musica, offered in partnership with Queen’s University. The event brings together 150 talented young singers from across the United States and Canada for a week-long choral institute at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. Throughout the week, students participated in rehearsals with the Festival’s guest composer and conductor Dr. Rollo Dilworth, as well as workshops, seminars, and vocal clinics with a world-renowned faculty.

“Participating in the Pro Musica Festival was a wonderful opportunity for the Madrigals,” Director Heather Orr said.  “In addition to learning and performing under the direction of outstanding music educators, they also shared their love of music with students from other parts of the world. They represented MISD well. We are grateful to our sponsors who made this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible for our students.”

Montgomery ISD is excited to announce new leaders who were recently appointed to fill vacancies due to retirements and re-alignment of duties ahead of the 2023-24 school year.

DAVID CROW was named Assistant Director of Maintenance & Construction in June 2023. Prior to this new role, Crow served as IT Project Manager for the district. Crow will report to MISD Director of Maintenance Joe Kinard and will work with district contractors to oversee progress on the district’s bond-funded construction and renovation projects. Along with 10-plus years in K-12 Maintenance roles, Crow’s considerable IT project management experience and familiarity with MISD’s technology infrastructure make him exceptionally qualified in his new position.

“I am honored to serve Montgomery ISD in this role,” Crow said. “As an eight-year employee of the district and MISD parent, I am very excited to see our bond-funded construction and renovation projects begin to take shape. I am looking forward to partnering with our contractors to ensure the safety of our job sites and working collaboratively to see each project to a timely completion.”

BEN DAVIDSON began his service as the district’s Chief Financial Officer in April 2023. Davidson is a 23-year school finance veteran. He began his career in 2001 as an accountant and spent the last 18 years serving as a school business manager and CFO in the Southeast Texas Region.

“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to work for such a wonderful school district,” Davidson said. “I pledge to continuously look for new revenue sources and to budget efficiently and effectively. My focus will be to provide the financial resources needed to deliver a premier education and to attract and retain the best employees in the state.”

PAMELA MALLORY was named MISD’s Director of Child Nutrition in June 2023. Mallory follows Lena Neugebauer who will retire in August after 25 years of service in MISD. Mallory has extensive experience in food service management and education. For the past eight years, she served as a Senior Field Supervisor in Klein ISD. Pamela believes in the profound connection between education and healthy food options, which serves as her daily motivation and commitment to the field of child nutrition. Taking on the role of MISD’s Director of Child Nutrition, Pamela is thrilled to contribute her knowledge and passion, aiming to make a meaningful impact.

“I am very excited to start the new school year and am very appreciative to Lena for her experience and expert guidance through this transition,” Mallory said. “With a focus on fostering the growth and development of our team, I am looking forward to serving the students and staff of Montgomery ISD.”

DR. CHRIS SUMMERS was named Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools in July. Summers is veteran educator, with experience at the collegiate level and K-12 as both a district leader and a campus principal. He is committed to developing educators and empowering educational leaders. In his past role as MISD’s Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Summers spearheaded the Mentoring & Induction for New Teachers program (MINT), designed to offer consistent and purpose-driven support to new educators. Summers replaced Dr. Mark Weatherly who retired in March 2023.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support and work alongside our secondary leaders and teachers going forward,” Summers said. “Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to support and guide the teaching and learning across MISD and this new role is a natural extension of that work. MISD is a special place and my commitment to district staff and our community is to lead well and add value to others so that MISD will be The Premier School District in Texas.”

Board also selects firm to lead search process for permanent superintendent

During a special board meeting on Tuesday evening, the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees formally accepted the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison and announced the appointment of an interim superintendent. Morrison’s last day in the district will be July 31.

Montgomery ISD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Innovation Dr. Amy Busby was appointed as interim superintendent while the Board initiates and conducts a search for a permanent superintendent. On July 12, Morrison announced his plans to resign from his position to lead a national organization focused on public education. Busby will officially assume the role of interim superintendent on August 1.

“Our Board is taking the process of selecting our next superintendent very seriously, and as we had discussions about how to conduct the search, we all agreed it was important for us to identify an interim that will maintain stability within the district and keep us moving in the right direction,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “We believe Dr. Busby’s tenure with the district and experience as part of Dr. Morrison’s senior leadership team makes her exceptionally qualified to lead MISD as our interim superintendent as we search for the best long-term fit for this role. She has an incredible work ethic and has developed strong professional relationships with employees across the district, which will be tremendously beneficial as we work to find thenext leader for MISD.”

Dr. Busby is entering her 15th year in Montgomery ISD where she has served in several leadership roles. As the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Innovation, she oversees multiple departments including Specialized Learning, PEIMS, Technology and Community Services. She has previously served as the Director of Special Programs, Director of Instructional Technology, and Principal of Montgomery Middle School.

“I am honored to serve Montgomery ISD as Interim Superintendent,” Busby said. “I am committed to ensuring the district continues to thrive and move in the right direction. In this community, we are blessed with amazing educators, fantastic students and supportive families. I am excited to lead the district during this time of transition and look forward to an excellent year in Montgomery ISD.”

During the meeting, the Board also selected the highly respected firm Thompson & Horton to lead the superintendent search process. Information on the superintendent search process will be shared with the public in the near future.