Mastering Reading by
Increasing Vocabulary
T
hrough the hallways of Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary
School, young learners can be heard shouting out
some pretty advanced vocabulary words.
“Algorithm! Distinguish! Fiction!” the second-graders
said as the teacher gave a definition of each term.
The elementary school, like many others across the
district, is focusing on building vocabulary to strengthen
reading skills. The emphasis on vocabulary lines up with
Mansfield ISD’s Vision 2020 strategic plan, which states
that students will read on level or higher by the beginning
of third grade and will remain on level or higher as an
MISD student.
A Small Team of Big Contributors
Barker (right) said his small crew can typically move an
entire campus in or out in approximately three days and mail
is usually delivered the next day.
A
team consisting of only 10 people make all the
deliveries and pickups to and from the 43 campuses
and several department buildings within Mansfield ISD.
Their services can sometimes go unnoticed; but when the
devoted employees don’t do their jobs, everyone feels the
effects.
“We believe that if the students master their academic
vocabulary, they will be reading on grade level,
especially our second-graders,” said Dr. Lori Ayala,
assistant principal of Sheppard Elementary School. “We distribute and collect mail, food and supplies,
salvage and surplus, furniture, records, etc.,” said Brad
Barker, MISD’s warehouse supervisor. “When schools
move in or out of a facility, we’re the ones who move all
of their assets too.”
Teachers have started using several teaching techniques,
like games and flipbooks, to make vocabulary fun and
memorable. And the best part: student progress has
dramatically increased. The workers in the distribution center work in all types
of weather conditions. Even though the conditions can be
a bit unfavorable at times, Barker said he loves his crew,
and they love their jobs.
“Everyone has met their goals so far,” Ayala continued.
“Our goal at the beginning of the year was to pass with
70 percent. We’ve met that goal and went beyond that.” “I have a great crew. I rely on them, and they rely on
me,” Barker continued. “I don’t have a big turnover. Most
of my guys have been here between three to 15 years.
Without them, the district wouldn’t run as efficiently.”
The distribution workers are focused on not wasting
money. Barker said that all collected materials are either
recycled, put into surplus or auctioned away.
Putting items into surplus is one of the new ideas Barker
was able to bring to the district. Along with surplus, he
said he loves figuring out what the district needs in terms
of supplies and being able to be of service to others.
“We just love what we do,” he added.
No time is wasted as a teacher reviews vocabulary in the hallway.
22 Mansfield School & Family