Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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From Translator to Teacher Muckleroy Experiences Life To The Fullest At one time she wanted to be a translator for the government. But Mrs. Jean Muckleroy. 30 years ago. changed her mind and became a business teacher. It was more practical to be a business teacher because if I were ever out of work, I could probably get an office job.” explained Mrs. Muckleroy. She also wanted to be home with her children. Mrs. Muckleroy has been married for 30 years to Roland Muckleroy. They have two sons. Ted. a Dallas contractor, and Jeff, a senior at the University of Texas. Mrs. Muckleroy and her mother had a Mrs. Muckleroy's family con- sists of Roland. Randy, Brenda. Ted. and Jeff, a senior at the UT. close relationship, and started teaching at the same time. Her mother taught English in Nacogdoches. They also went on a trip to Europe visiting France and England. She loved to travel and has also been to Mexico. She enjoyed seeing if her Spanish was accurate and if she could understand it. Mrs. Muckleroy's interests included classical art and history. While in Europe, she visited museums, galleries, and cathedrals. She attended art and history lectures at the Fine Arts Museum, and for history lectures, she attended meetings for the Sons for the Confederacy at the Briar Club. The art lectures are very interesting and there’s something new to learn about each one. Instructors would show an art slide, and tell what was happening in the artist’s life and the country around him. They would also talk about wars, economics, and leaders.” explained Mrs. Muckleroy. She planned on returning to Europe when Jeff graduates from the UT. He also wanted to go to law school. I seriously considered being an interpretor in high school, because I love to travel and meet people, but I married young and it just didn't seem practical and the teaching business did. Mrs. Muckleroy taught typing. Gregg Shorthand and Notehand. I don’t have a favorite class to teach, each one has something different about it to make it interesting,” said Mrs. Muckleroy. I feel students should be aware of their potential because each one has something unique about them whether they realize or not.” The most rewarding thing is helping the students, not just in the classroom but also to realize they need to learn to love themselves so they can learn to love others. expressed Mrs. Muckleroy. She finds it interesting when she runs into former students. She taught Art teacher Mrs. Graham at Westbury High School. Mrs. Muckleroy also attended administrative classes j with South House Assistant Principal Frank Jarrett. She gave him credit for bringing her to Alief. “Alief is one of the | best school districts in Houston and students have very good reasons to have pride and spirit in Elsik and they should show it!” By F. Wasylina, Reporter The President of Galveston Heritage Society spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Muckleroy at a charity dinner at a Greek Revival Mansion. Muckleroy's fifth period to meet her expectations Notehand class works hard Photo by K. Groves 228 Academics Faculty

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Fitzgerald Takes On Student Problems and Schedules After spending three years as a principal at a Catholic school, I decided that wasn't the position I wanted. So I thought about what I liked about being an administrator, and that was talking to the students and their parents about their problems. Eventually, I decided that I wanted to be a counselor.” explained South House Counselor Charles Fitzgerald. At that same Catholic school he spent six years teaching English to sixth and seventh graders before becoming principal. He also taught English to sixth graders at Olle Middle School. Mr. Fitzgerald was a counselor at Alief Middle School for three years and at Olle for one year. I needed a change. I had spent 15 out of my 16 years in the education field with junior high aged students. I have found that the high school students are more sophisticated and can After belngacounseloron the junior high level, Mr. Fitzgerald decided it wastime for a change. Photo by B. Mitchell JV football Coach Pless, and a new sophomore football and JV baseball. Coach Bess, pride themselves in winning teams. Photo by K. Groves find the words to discuss their problem unlike the junior high students, revealed Mr. Fitzgerald. The two factors that influenced me in becoming a counselor were reading in psychology and human growth and development; and secondly, my friends told me that I was an intentive listener.” From counseling I have received two things, longtime friendships with students and staff, and the satisfaction of playing a role in the student’s life. If Mr. Fitzgerald wasn't a counselor, he fantasizes himself as a writer of novels and plays. Part of me never fully developed the ability to write. My teachers in high school and college told me I had the talent. I just never disciplined myself to do it. Mr. Fitzgerald still has many outlines of short stories and plays he wants to write. Mr. Fitzgerald is a native Houstonian and attended St. Thomas High School. He later attended the University of St. Thomas for his bachelor’s degree in English; Sam Houston State for his teaching credentials; and the University of Houston for his masters in guidance and counseling. While in high school Fitzgerald swam and participated in speech and drama. He was voted best actor twice, made the Honor Roll, and when he was a senior, the faculty voted him as one of the best top 10 in high school. His hobby was gardening. He claims his yard was mostly a giant flower bed. but he plants vegetables, too. He loves to read, and his favorite book is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, a Russian immigrant. Fitzgerald also enjoys traveling. He has been all over Southwest Texas. California. Mexico, Arizona, and Louisiana. By Felicia Wasylina. Reporter Faculty 227

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43 New Computers Create New Course Selections As a result of HB 246, computers were lot only being used or math, but also for ;ounselor's offices, and business classes. 'Jew electives were banned for 1985 :ourse selections. On 'Jovember 16. the Computer Math Department proudly displayed their new computer room. “When we first moved from Hasting's all we had were eight computers, and a 8 x 12 foot computer room. explained Ms. Linda Lewis, computer math instructor. Now they have three rooms, one. for computers, and two on either side for instruction, and six more computers. The counselors also received new computers, one for each House. The system was located in the waiting room of each office. “What we will do is teach the students to work it themselves so they can look up their career and college curriculums.” explained North House Counselor Mrs. Thorton. The Business Department had 15 computers and by the end of the year received 20 more. The Accounting classes used them briefly 2nd semester, but Accounting, Advanced Typing. Recordkeeping. Business Data Programming classes planned to use them in full force next year. “The new computer courses will bring many more students into the Business Department and provide exposure to Senior Jeff Glasgow, a two year varsity letterman in basketball and a two year NHS member, reviews his program with Computer Math Instructor Linda Lewis. Photo by L. Cates computer literacy.” stated Business Department Head Mrs. Armstrong. There won't be a need for new business teachers because the teachers that are going to teach new classes, such as Data Processing and Intro, to Computer Programming, took night school preparation. “There will be wonderful benefits and more student enrollment in our department because of the computers. I see greater flexibility in course content offering, and the student exposure to computers will be greatly enhanced as well as better student preparation for business and society. said Mrs. Armstrong enthusiastically. No Experience Needed I like doing faculty and administration choirs because it gives me a chance to meet other teachers that I At the fall presentation, S. Talley, 8. Lancaster. J. Gattis, N. Culbertson, J. Aquil, and M. Ness of the Faculty Choir, sing a song dedicated to Mr. Engels, Porter, and Cothran. Faculty Choir: Front: K. McCullough, L. Autry. S. Caporiccio. J. Gattis. L. Graessle, C. Bowers. K. Stevenson, and E. Davis; Second: S. Talley and D. Cochran: Back: Dr. Knickel, S. Lee. and J. Dallas. may not otherwise meet because of the location of my room.” stated Choir Director Mrs. Molly Ness. The Faculty Choir began two years ago. Since then there have been four shows, one at Christmas time and the other in Spring each year. World History instructor Mrs. Gattis has participated in the choir every year and will try to continue this tradition. I like music and the choir doesn’t require any experience. Besides Molly Ness will take anyone as long as it's a warm body. The choir is known for its humorous song writing about Elsik and administratos. At the end of the year barbecue, the faculty bell choir performed and the staff serenaded Mr. Porter with You Are The Oz, We Are The Munchkins. Faculty Acadcmics 229