Overview

Curriculum encompasses what we want students to know and be able to do after a specific course of study. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) provide the roadmap for Texas schools and teachers charged with the responsibility of guiding students on their personal learning journey in grades K-12.

Students are assessed on the TEKS and Student Expectations at checkpoints in grades 3-11 by taking tests referred to as the STAAR test. More information about the TEKS and STAAR is available at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

Curriculum & Instruction Division

Community of Learners
The curriculum coordinators in English Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science are working collaboratively with cadres of teachers to design an online curriculum website for C-FB. The website articulates the TEKS/STAAR for each course and grade level, provides details about the TEKS to ensure a clear learning target, and includes materials, resources, and website links to assist the teacher in teaching the curriculum.

Content Literacy
Content literacy refers the process of making meaning in a manner that integrates reading, writing, viewing, listening, speaking, and thinking. Content literacy strategies assist students in this endeavor. There is a large body of research that indicates these strategies improve students’ ability to comprehend what they read.

The content literacy strategies are designed around research on schema theory, collaborative setting, metacognition, reading and writing relationship, and constructing meaning. The ultimate goal of content literacy strategy instruction is to assist students in becoming independent readers and thinkers and give them a repertoire of strategies to use when confronted with difficult reading material.

Dr. Sheila Maher
Associate Superintendent, Educational Services
972-968-6142

Dr. Sheila Maher holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Illinois State University and a Master’s of Science Degree in Special Education from Southern Illinois University. Dr. Maher joined the C-FB team in 1980. She served as a teacher, a content mastery facilitator, an educational diagnostician, an assistant principal, and a principal in the district prior to assuming the role of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. Dr. Maher earned her mid-management certification from Texas Woman’s University and received her Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas. Dr. Maher’s minor in her doctoral work was in reading.

Holly Barber
Executive Director of Curriculum and Staff Development
972-968-6140

Holly Barber has worked for Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD since 1986, serving as a classroom teacher and building principal before becoming the Executive Director of Curriculum and Staff Development. Mrs. Barber received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, her masters in educational psychology from the University of Virginia and mid-management certification through the University of North Texas. Prior to moving to Texas she spent fifteen years in Maryland and Virginia working in public and private schools, including six years as an administrator at a secondary boys’ boarding military school. After coming to Texas, she expanded her professional resume to include staff development presentations throughout the state.

Tracy Smith
Executive Director of School Improvement
972-968-6190

Tracy Smith has been a member of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch educational team since 1987. A graduate of Texas Tech University with a major in music and an elementary education endorsement, she started her teaching career in the Lubbock ISD. Upon moving to the Dallas area, she served in C-FB as a teacher, an assistant principal and a principal. Ms. Smith earned her master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas. During her career, she has had the privilege of opening three campuses and working at numerous exemplary campuses including two National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence… one as a teacher and the other as principal.