TWO STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVE HEARTBEAT AWARD
Two Mansfield ISD employees , nominated by their coworkers , received the Heartbeat Award for displaying heart in their lives and inspiring other district employees through their actions .
Jason Mutterer , an associate principal at Summit High School , is known for the care he demonstrates for his students and his coworkers .
Coach Mutt , as Mutterer is affectionately known , has been an employee of the district for 27 years . He was hired in 1994 and taught social studies and coached basketball before being promoted to associate principal at Summit High School .
“ Coach Mutt is truly the heartbeat of our campus . He is always cheering students , teachers and staff on . He shows up physically , mentally and emotionally every day ,” said Summit High School English teacher Madeline McPhee .
“ He is truly Summit Love , and our campus would not be the same without him .”
Nick Frazier , operations manager at the Dr . Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts , also received a Heartbeat Award .
Frazier has been with the district for nine years . He oversees all of the details that go into setting up spaces at the center , whether the request is for a small department meeting or something as large as the annual Toys for Tots event .
“ This place would not be the place it is , and we would not be able to do as many events as we do , if it wasn ’ t for Nick and the crew ,” said Flo Torres , the center director .
“ He loves everybody , especially our kids . He wants to make sure that when they come in , they have the best experience .”
The Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Award was created in January 2003 . In November 2021 , the award was revamped to include a $ 250 gift from Educational Employees Credit Union ( EECU ).
MISD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER REDEDICATED
Dr . Vaszauskas was the guest of honor while Dr . Cantu emceed the event .
Mansfield ISD honored former superintendent Dr . Jim Vaszauskas by making him the namesake of the district ’ s performing arts center . The official dedication ceremony was held on Dec . 2 .
Under Dr . Vaszauskas ’ leadership from 2013 to 2019 , Mansfield ISD received an “ A ” rating from the Texas Education Agency ( TEA ). His innovation and advocacy for student success also earned him the honor of being named the Region 11 Superintendent of the Year in 2017 and one of the top five finalists for Texas Superintendent of the Year .
Dr . Vaszauskas worked to propel the district ’ s fine arts program during his time as superintendent . He championed for MISD to start an orchestra program and developed a vision to turn the performing arts center into a community hub featuring award-winning artists and communitywide events .
“ Building that center into what it is today happened under him , and I think that ’ s part of what makes it so special and why his name should be on the building ,” said current MISD superintendent Dr . Kimberley Cantu . “ The center was his hub . It was his happy place .
Dr . Vaszauskas was unanimously approved by the trustees to be the namesake of the MISD Center for the Performing Arts in May 2021 .
4 MANSFIELDTODAY