News Summary
Summit Elementary School in Austin, Texas, is celebrating its 150th anniversary, a testament to its longstanding dedication to education. The school’s history dates back to its origins as a one-room schoolhouse in 1875. Alongside this milestone, Griselda Montes from Murry Fly Elementary received the 2024 Elementary Educator of the Year award for her contributions to bilingual education. Montes’ innovative approaches have inspired many students and educators, solidifying the legacy of excellence in Austin’s educational community.
Austin, Texas Celebrates Two Educational Milestones
Summit Elementary School in Austin, Texas, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in its long-standing commitment to education. The current principal, Ariel Greco, expressed pride in leading the school during this historical moment, emphasizing its sustained legacy of educational excellence since its establishment.
The school originated in 1875 as a humble one-room schoolhouse located near what is now the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. In its early days, the original principal took on multiple roles, acting as the bus driver, teacher, and administrator all at once. This multifaceted approach laid a strong foundation for the educational journey that continues to flourish today.
The current building of Summit Elementary was constructed in 1986, providing a modern facility for students and staff. With 150 years under its belt, the school stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of education in Austin, adapting to meet the needs of its students while remaining grounded in its rich history.
Recognizing Excellence in Education
In addition to the historic celebration of Summit Elementary, the educational community also honors Griselda Montes, a teacher from Murry Fly Elementary School, who received the prestigious 2024 Elementary Educator of the Year award from Summit K12. Montes was recognized among over 100,000 Texas educators utilizing Summit K12’s educational platforms.
Montes earned this recognition for her exemplary performance in the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), her high level of platform engagement, and her innovative teaching methods aimed at helping emergent bilingual students succeed academically. Upon learning of her nomination, Montes initially underestimated her chances of winning but was later thrilled to be selected as a finalist before ultimately receiving the award.
The ceremony to honor Montes took place at the Texas Association for Bilingual Educators conference in Austin last October. Her involvement in the education sector extended beyond her own classroom; she had participated with the Texas Education Agency and Pearson to review STAAR questions, showcasing her commitment to improving educational standards.
Montes’ Inspirational Teaching Philosophy
Principal Christina Salinas from Murry Fly Elementary commended Montes for her dedication and innovative teaching techniques, which have significantly benefitted her emergent bilingual students. Montes has dedicated 30 years to the teaching profession, spending 27 years at Murry Fly Elementary where she has consistently taught fourth grade in the same classroom.
Her teaching philosophy centers on creating an enjoyable environment for learning, understanding that student enjoyment can serve as a powerful motivator for success. Montes emphasizes that mistakes should be viewed as lessons, actively fostering resilience and a growth mindset in her students.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Montes has established strong relationships with her colleagues and is recognized for mentoring and supporting other educators at Murry Fly Elementary. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on both students and staff, further solidifying the foundation of educational excellence that Summit Elementary has celebrated for the past 150 years.
Overall, the celebrations at Summit Elementary School and the recognition of Griselda Montes collectively highlight a rich educational legacy and the ongoing dedication of teachers committed to nurturing the next generation of learners in Austin, Texas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Protest at University of Texas Against Drag Performance Ban
Texas House Votes to Eliminate STAAR Test
Austin ISD Faces $110 Million Budget Deficit Amid Enrollment Decline
East Texas Restaurants Recognized in Texas Restaurant Awards
Hazy Skies and Poor Air Quality in Central Texas
Protesters Rally in Austin Against Military Aid to Israel
Oklahoma High Schools Introduce Conspiracy Theory Curriculum
Austin Welcomes New Housing Development with Land Sale
Austin Community Mourns Loss of Beloved Residents
Senator Judith Zaffirini Achieves Historic Voting Milestone
Additional Resources
- KVUE: Summit Elementary Celebrates 150 Years
- OAOA: Teacher of the Year Award
- KXII: Howe ISD Bond Impact
- KW TX: Midway ISD Back-to-School Summit
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
