TASPA Scholarship Winners 2006-2007

The Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators promotes the organization’s common interest of encouraging sound school personnel practices designed to recruit, develop, and retain individuals of the highest quality in the Texas public school system.  In order to assist individuals of the highest quality in entering the teaching profession, TASPA has established a competitive scholarship program to financially assist college students seeking their initial teaching certification and/or endorsement.  Since the 1989-1990 school year, TASPA has awarded a scholarship to one to four students each year.  Ten percent (10%) of each member’s dues goes to the scholarship fund, which is subsidized by the law firm of Henslee, Fowler, Hepworth & Schwartz.

This year’s Scholarship Committee, with Sheri Blankenship of Hereford ISD as Chair, Sue Sansom of Judson ISD as Board Liaison, and consisting of Dr. Linda Bass of Frisco ISD, Gary Causey of Santa Fe ISD, Pamela Hall of Austin ISD, Robert Jaklich of Harlandale ISD, and Gilbert Vasquez of Ector County ISD, has selected three remarkable and talented scholarship winners for 2006-2007.

Cassandra (Cassie) Ashby, a senior at Southwestern University, is working towards dual certification in general PreK-4 and special education PreK-12. She is a student with impeccable academic qualifications who, according to her professors, sets the standards in her classes, even though she works 15-20 hours per week to help cover her expenses. Cassie has demonstrated resourcefulness and creativity in developing motivating and inspiring lesson plans. One lesson plan on oil spills was recently selected and published in the Texas Council for Elementary Science’s annual lesson plan book, Hands Across Texas. She has a passion for working with children with special needs and feels strongly that she must help such students reach their potential, both academically and socially.

Heidi Marie Hawbecker, a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, is pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies degree with certification in Special Education EC-4. She is described by her professors as well-spoken, hard-working, confident, and dedicated.  She maintains an excellent GPA despite having to work to support herself. Heidi says that she has been inspired by teachers, including her mother, who have been the most significant people in her life, as well as by her own brother, who suffers from both learning and physical disabilities.  She saw firsthand the difference one dedicated teacher could make in an individual’s life and determined that she would emulate this example.

Tina Sharee Klepac, a senior at Angelo State University, is working toward Grades 8-12 certification in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Her success as a student is demonstrated by the confidence that the mathematics and physics departments place in her to assist other students and to evaluate their work.  An accomplished musician, she is an active member of several performance groups. She is a leader in student organizations and a member of honor societies. In addition, she volunteers in the public schools tutoring elementary and middle school troubled students. She is, according to the Dean of the College of Education at her university, “what we hope all future teachers will be.”

Each of these students chose education as a career goal for compelling reasons, be it a disabled sibling, an inner passion, a family history, or an inspiring teacher.  They are all young women who will truly change the lives of their prospective students.

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