TEPSA Election – Amanda Schmitter

Candidate for TEPSA Member At-Large

Amanda Schmitter
Grand Prairie ISD
Region 10

• Candidate History
• Superintendent Reference Letter
• Region President Letter

Present Position

Principal, Rayburn Elementary STEAM Academy, Grand Prairie ISD, Region 10, PreK-5th Grade, and Employee Childcare

Formal Education

• University of North Texas, M.A. Education Leadership, 2009
• Texas Christian University, 2005
• Ursuline Academy of Dallas, 2021

Educational Leadership

• DBU COE AAQEP Cooperating Teacher/Mentor Administrator, 2023
• TEPSA, Region 10 Fall Meeting Panel Co-Host, 2023
• Holdsworth Cohort, 2 year program, graduated 2023
• Educators without Borders, Speaker, 2021
• GPISD Campus Teacher of the Year, 2007

TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards

• Current Member of TEPSA, Region 10, President Elect, 2023
• TEPSA, Standing Committee Nominating Committee Member, 2020-2022
• TEPSA, Special Committee Strategic Planning, 2020
• TEPSA, Standing Committee Membership, Marketing, and PR Vice Chair 2018-2019
• TEPSA, Standing Committee Membership, Marketing, and PR Chair, 2019-2022
• Region 10 TEPSAN of the Year, 2017
• TEPSA, Standing Committee Elections Chair, 2014-2017
• TEPSA, Standing Committee Advocacy Member 2013-2017
• TEPSA Member – 18 years

School Honors/Accomplishments

• Cotton Bowl Classic 3rd Place Winner, 2nd grade student, 2023
• GPISD Holiday Card Winner, 4th grade student, 2023
• Grand Prairie Pumpkin Run Winners, 1st Place, 2023
• PPG Grant Winner, $5,000 for Technology and Interactive Walls, Spring 2022
• Grand Prairie Pumpkin Run Winners, 2nd Place, 2022
• A staff member was awarded GPISD District Elementary Teacher of the Year 2022-2023
• Mackin Educational Resources: Colorful Communities $5,000 STEAM Materials
• Heart of America: Colorful Communities Winner, Summer 2021-2022
• GPISD Spotlight Campus, 2021

Community Involvement

• Toys for Tots (campus collection, supporting the Salvation Army and USMC)
• Crosspoint Church (backpacks, school supplies, teacher support)
• Acceptance Insurance (backpacks and school supplies)
• IKEA (STEAM resources, PE materials)
• Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, PPG (paints in facilities, instruction in classrooms, career pathways)
• St. Michael the Archangel Church (after school programs and faith education)
• Mackin Educational Resources (STEM/STEAM materials and robotics resources)
• Heart of America (design and creative event to transform spaces on the campus)
• Lockheed Martin (college readiness and career pathways)
• STREAM Global Innovations (STEAM education, projects for family/home, career pathways)

Professional Networks

• Region 10 STEM Professional NISE Cohort, current
• National Association of Elementary School Principals, NAESP Member, current
• Holdsworth Alumni, 2023 graduate

Personal Information

I married my high school sweetheart, Justin Schmitter, and we have been together more than 20 years. We have two children, Annabelle is 8 years old and keeps us busy with Chess Club, Lego League, Girls that Code, Showstoppers, and Soccer. Our son, Jackson is 6 and in Kindergarten. We can typically find him playing with transformers or showing us his latest karate moves. When I have a minute I love to spend time with family and friends, I cricut, paint, am a movie watcher and a yorkie girl. We love our two precious pups, Sophie and Pennie.

Platform Statement

I want to personally thank you for allowing me the opportunity to run for the Member At-Large position. I have been a member of TEPSA for over two decades and together, we have shined a light on the amazing things happening in public schools daily, and why the future is bright for all kids. Our students are achieving at high levels. They are makers, builders, and thinkers, who are prepared for a constantly changing world. It takes the partnership of families, staff, and strong leadership to ensure that nothing takes away from our kids being great! This greatness is fostered by the impact of principals, supervisors, and leaders everywhere.

It is no secret that we have faced challenges in education and at every level of leadership. Principals and supervisors across the State struggle with finding certified staff, budget cuts, unfunded mandates, and concerns about safety, morale, employee retention, health benefits, and retirement. We try not to let this reach our classrooms, schools, buildings, and affect our kids. We work collaboratively, creatively, and try to network with other leaders to find more effective ways to provide the best.

I believe in advocacy, having a strong voice, and making sure that all levels of leadership feel informed and supported. I want to serve in the Member At-Large position to continue the work already in place and support new initiatives as we tackle some of the tough challenges ahead. I want to be a part of keeping the future bright for our students, principals, supervisors, and leaders in the State of Texas with TEPSA.

It was exciting for my personal family to welcome back students to the 2023-2024 school year! Our campus theme is inspired by the children’s book, “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires.

This year, we traveled to Boulder Adventure Park, where we set the tone for reaching new heights, being bold, taking risks, and making it a magnificent school year.

Together with PPG, Heart Across America, in conjunction with Mackin, we were able to bring color to our building with the Colorful Communities Project. Students return to school to see large colorful murals that transformed our spaces for learning.

In Spring, our staff does a lip sync battle challenge and we perform for our students. We want to encourage students to finish the year strong and ROCK the state assessments!

I have been proud to be a member of TEPSA and partner with fellow leaders to support all public school students in the State of Texas.