Tyler ISD delivers State of the District address at Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford presented the Annual State of the District Address during a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday at W.T. Brookshire Conference Center.

Crawford discussed district achievements over the 2023-2024 school year and goals for moving forward with continued success.

“Tyler’s got a lot of history inside of its public schools,” he said. “We’ve worked really hard to kind of get the community back underneath the umbrella of supporting its public schools with a lot of rich competition in the educational marketplace with some of the things that are occurring out there.”

The district also honored First Responders with the 2023 Community Partner of the Year Award for their commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for the students and staff.

Representatives from the following First Responder agencies were presented with a plaque: the Tyler Police Department, Tyler Fire Department, Tyler Fire Marshall, Tyler FBI Resident Agency, Smith County Sheriff, Smith County Fire Marshal, Smith County Constables, Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, along with the Tyler ISD Police Department and Tyler ISD Safety and Security.

Dr. Shirley McKellar and Jesse E. Rider Sr. were awarded the Tyler ISD Distinguished Alumni award.

McKellar, graduate of the class of 1966, attended Emmett J. Scott Junior High School, Dogan Middle School and Emmett J. Scott High School.

She received her undergraduate degree in nursing and chemistry from Texas Women’s University, then a master’s degree from the University of Texas with honors in community health nursing, criminal justice and organizational speech communications.

McKellar then went on to get her doctorate in nursing and healthcare management from Columbus University. Her professional experience spans from being a retired officer in the United States Army to the director of an African American Breast Cancer Outreach Project with UT Austin. She has also served as a director of nursing and assistant director of nursing to several nursing home and retirement facilities and now to her current role as CEO of McKellar-McKellar-Ntaka and Associates., Inc.

She has received many honors and awards, including the Operation Iraqi Freedom War Ribbon and War Medal, Army Commendation Medals (five), Texas 2000 Most Notable Woman, Outstanding Professional Female of America, Tyler Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce Award, Texas Transitional Award of Excellence and Texas Outstanding Distinguished Woman of the Year Award.

McKellar is currently a councilmember for City of Tyler and served as a candidate for the United States Congress, as well as deputy mayor pro tem. She has been a radio, TV and blog host, and was inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame.

Rider, class of 1955, attended T.J. Austin Elementary School, Emmett J. Scott Junior High and Emmett J. Scott High School. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in vocational education. He then received a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

He started his Tyler ISD career as an industrial arts and shop teacher at the newly opened Dogan Jr. High in 1962. While there, he also taught science and social studies and was a vocational counselor.

In 2000, Rider retired from Tyler ISD as a lead counselor at the former Robert E. Lee High School. Since then, he has owned Rider Homes and Construction in Tyler.

He currently serves as chairman of the deacons at College Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Tyler. He is a former member and past president of the Rose City Kiwanis Club and a member of Omega Psi Phi and Delta Gamma Boule fraternities.

Rider has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and various other organizations. He has held corporate directorships, teaching, and consulting positions through the years.

He served as president and chairman of the 2005 Parade of Homes, served on the Tyler Area Home Builders Association Board of Directors, the Tyler ISD Oversight Committee, was a member of the City of Tyler Planning and Zoning Committee, and was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve on the Industrial Building Code Board for Texas.

With achievements in performing arts, athletics and academics, Crawford said there is a lot to be proud of in Tyler ISD.

“There’s something about East Texas and how we school. Especially here in Smith County where the ecosystem for K-12 education is rich with choice and competition already,” he said. “So much in fact that it has propelled your public school system to improve its game significantly, from having 13 low performing schools a decade ago while ushering in a new superintendent to a system of schools focused on continuous improvement with outcomes that look more exemplary than acceptable, special rather than ordinary.”

Academics

With emphasis on early literacy and math, advanced placement, dual credit classes and so much more, Tyler ISD continues to add to its success.

According to Tyler ISD, the district has a 96 percent graduation rate, and students received their high school diploma on time or earlier, almost six points higher than the state average.

The school district’s advanced academics have produced 64 AP scholars, nine AP scholars with honors, one AP scholar with distinction and seven AP Capstone diplomas. In 20 out of 29 exams, Tyler ISD students scored higher on AP exams than their public, private or charter peers.

The Career & Technical Education boasts 24 career paths. There are currently 6,306 students enrolled in one or more CTE courses; 1,315 industry-based certifications have been earned – with 597 students having more than one.

Athletics

Both Tyler High School and Tyler Legacy High School have garnered a number of achievements. Tyler Legacy had state qualifiers in girls track, boys swimming and girls powerlifting. Their tennis team was also a regional semi-finalist.

The Red Raiders had district championships in boys and girls golf, boys swimming, boys soccer and tennis. Their boys and girls soccer teams were bi-district champions and their softball team were bi-district qualifiers. Boys and girls teams in cross country, golf, track and swimming were all regional qualifiers.

Legacy’s Mia Zuniga set three state records in powerlifting, and the girls powerlifting team were named 1st State Champions.

Tyler High School had boys and girls basketball teams named bi-district champions, with their boys soccer team as bi-district qualifiers. Boys soccer, boys track, boys swimming and girls swimming teams were all regional qualifiers.

Performing Arts

Tyler High School’s color guard were named grand national champions, placing first in the Team Flag/Rifle division at the Marching Auxiliaries National Championship.

The East Texas Symphony Orchestra and 4th and 5th grade students performed Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program.

Both high schools were named in Texas Dance Educators’ Association All-State dancers, and a Tyler Legacy student was named outstanding lead performer by Broadway Dallas.

In UIL Sweepstakes, for concern and sight reading, Tyler Legacy Band and Orchestra, Moore’s non-varsity band and Three Lakes Concert and Symphonic bands were recognized for outstanding performances.

In addition, 20 high school students and ten middle school students earned seats in the UIL All-Region Orchestra.

Safety and Security

Tyler ISD’s Safety and Security team has 28 uniformed certified peace officers and has the third largest law enforcement agency in Smith County. With emergency operation plans, warning systems on exterior doors, advanced camera systems and much more, Tyler ISD’s Safety and Security Team works around the clock to keep students and staff safe. The team consists of former FBI agents, K-9 Officer, chief of police and former Tyler Police officers.

“We’ll remain challenged, but continuously improving, with early literacy and early numeracy, where historical and generational struggles with reading and math still fuel us on a daily basis,” Crawford said. “We’ll keep getting first downs there but to score touchdowns we still need your help on the forces outside the walls of our schools. We need parents to stay together and genuinely pour into their children morally and academically.”

Crawford talked about how the new Hubbard Middle School and Early College High School were on budget and on track to open next fall.

“We remain thankful to the community for the incredible 20-year project of transforming Tyler’s school buildings,” Crawford said. “Y’all should be proud of the climates provided to our students and teachers for public education in this City and surrounding communities. It’s not just unheard of to lead East Texas with that commitment, it’s unheard of across the state and nation.”

According to U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, it takes the whole community working together to make the schools what they need to be.

“We are blessed to have extraordinary leadership and community support,” Moran said. “I am so grateful for the leadership that Dr. Crawford has provided… not just him but the whole board. The successes that are going on in Tyler ISD are tremendous and that comes from both top down leadership but also bottom up community support and families being involved at every level.”

While Crawford remains proud of the success and achievements of Tyler ISD, he hopes he can still count on the commitment of the community.

“I remain proud to be the school superintendent of your hometown school district,” Crawford said. “A decade down and a decade ahead, thank you Tyler for what has been and will be, outside of my marriage and my kids and parents, the greatest love of my life.”

This post was originally published on this site