Teachers Cyndi Rudd and Jon Marie Russman fill their plates at the
FISD Back-to-school teacher breakfast Aug. 20. 

By Wyndi Veigel
News Editor

As school supplies have been purchased, backpacks are loaded and first day outfits are chosen, teachers are also gearing up for their first day back, generally a week prior to their students.

Within Farmersville Independent School District, teachers and school staff were welcomed with a Back-to-School breakfast provided by the district, lunch from the ladies at First United Methodist Church and several luncheons held throughout the week.

“We are excited about the start of 2012-‘13 school year, welcoming back current students while also meeting new ones.  FISD has many activities planned for the year and the staff is ready to get started,” Superintendent Jeff Adams said.

This year, classes at the Farmersville High School will be from 8:15 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.

The principal will be Wayne Callaway with a new face as vice principal, Dustin Toth.

The Farmersville Times took a moment to sit down with some of the administrators within the district and get to know them.

FT: Can you share with us your educational background?

Dustin Toth: After graduating from Texas A&M, I began my teaching/coaching career in 2004 for Wylie ISD at Burnett Junior High. 

At Burnett, I taught 8th grade US history and coached football, basketball and track.  In 2006, I moved over to Wylie High School where I taught Psychology and Sociology and was the varsity assistant baseball coach.

In 2007, I was named the head baseball coach for Wylie High School.

I held this position for four seasons and in 2011 took over the golf program for WHS in order to focus more on administration. 

Along the way, I also completed my educational leadership coursework at Dallas Baptist University.

FT: How long have you been in Farmersville?

DT: This will be my first year in the district.

FT: What was your favorite subject in school?

DT: I would have to say government. Politics have always interested me for whatever reason. My major in college was actually political science and at one point I was considering law school.

FT: Why did you decide to go into education?

DT: While I was at A&M, I worked at a private school in Bryan, Allen Academy, as a substitute teacher and baseball coach. Teaching and coaching just came natural to me and I really enjoyed it. It was just something I knew I wanted to do as my career.

FT: When did you absolutely know that you wanted to be a principal?

DT: When I began teaching I always knew that being an administrator was where I wanted my career to lead. I still remember telling the principal in my first interview that very thing. I guess I knew for sure that it was what I wanted to do when I took over as the head baseball coach in Wylie. I enjoyed being in that leadership role but wanted to take on something that would allow me to be more involved on a school-wide level. I also like the fact that we continually have to find solutions to difficult situations. There never seems to be a dull moment in the office and everyday brings on a new challenge.

FT: What do you see as the largest problem with the educational system?

DT: Our kids are just being tested way too much and the accountability system that has been created needs an overhaul. There are so many great things our kids and teachers are doing on a daily basis. The relationships that are developed and the thousands of lives that are changed because of them are nowhere to be found on an AEIS report. I do not disagree with the fact of holding our schools accountable but the system in which we do it does need to be modified.

FT: What is your favorite part of being an educator? DT: The fact that on any given day we can literally change a person's life forever.

FT: What is your favorite color of crayon?

DT: Blue

Within the hallways of the Farmersville Junior High School classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:27 p.m.

Students will be greeted by a new face, Dr. Josh Martin, junior high principal for the 2012 – ’13 school year. A familiar face, Nick Salerno will serve as vice principal.

FT: Can you share with us your educational background?

Josh Martin: Bachelors from the University of North Texas, Masters from the University of North Texas and Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

Nick Salerno: Bachelors of Arts from the University of North Texas and Masters in Education from TWU.

FT: How long have you been in Farmersville?

JM: This is my first year in Farmersville, I recently moved from the Ft. Worth area.

NS: This will be my sixth year at the Junior High School

FT: What was your favorite subject in school?

JM: My favorite subject in school was far and away history.

NS: History.

FT: Why did you decide to go into education?

JM: I had a coach that motivated me to be better than I knew I could be, and I wanted to be that person for other students.

NS: I always wanted to teach.  I was lucky enough to be able to go back to school later in life.

FT: When did you absolutely know that you wanted to be a principal?

JM: I had a mentor that guided me towards administration after I got out of coaching.

NS: I never thought about it until my superintendent in another district suggested I should look into it.

FT: What do you see as the largest problem with the educational system?

JM: Many aspects of education are constant, and then each provides its own unique challenges. As educators this is what we signed up for, and what we enjoy doing.

NS: There are many challenges.  We as educators welcome the opportunity these challenges present.  The success and achievement of our students is our reward.

FT: What is your favorite part of being an educator?

JM: Working with kids.

NS: Student success!!

FT: What is your favorite color of crayon?

JM: North Texas Green

NS: Purple!

Students at Farmersville Intermediate School will be in session from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Hazel Johnson will be serving as Intermediate School Principal and Jerry Calverly will be vice principal for the 2012 -’13 school year.

Calverly was formerly vice principal at the Farmersville High School and Johnson has been the principal at the Intermediate school for three years.

Students at Tatum Elementary School will be attending classes from 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Ginger Ketcher will continue to serve as principal for Tatum Elementary School.

FT: How long have you been in Farmersville?

Ginger Ketcher: I'm going on my third year at Farmersville ISD. 17 years in education.

FT: What was your favorite subject in school?

GK: Science!  I love exploring and being outdoors.

FT: Why did you decide to go into education?

GK: I come from a large family of educators.  I enjoyed school as a student and I wanted to be around kids!

FT: When did you absolutely know that you wanted to be a principal?

GK: I knew I wanted to be a principal when watching my principal and superintendent mentor others. I wanted to do the same. I feel that my job is to help other be successful at their job.

FT: What do you see as the largest problem with the educational system?

GK: Mandates not funded by the state.

FT: What is your favorite part of being an educator?

GK: Seeing kids everyday!  Watching their face light up when they are learning!  Building relationships with kids, parents and the community.

FT: What is your favorite color of crayon?

GK: turquoise and pink