MISD Eighth Grader Heads to State Geography Bee

Eighth grader Anaiah Matthews said he is preparing every day
for the state geography bee.

If at first you don’t succeed, you try again. For Brooks Wester Middle School student Anaiah Matthews, that persistence took him all the way to the state competition of the National Geographic Bee.

The eighth grader said he was eliminated in the school primary round of the geography bee last year, but he didn’t let that keep him down.

“I was disappointed,” said Matthews. “But then I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to get them next year.’”

This year, Matthews made it past the school rounds and advanced to the online test portion. He later received the news that he was part of the top 100 fourth through eighth graders in Texas who will be competing in the National Geographic State Bee.

The Pre-AP student said he was shocked because the state test was difficult, but he’s been practicing since the age of four.

“Geography is my favorite subject. When I was little, my mom would teach me states and capitals,” said Matthews.

Matthews said he studies for the competition with his father for more than an hour every night. He reads from a massive book of geographic facts and practices with 200 flash cards.

“Right now I feel nervous, anxious, and excited,” said the state contestant. “I’ve been getting ‘congratulations’ from students and my teachers. They all want me to represent well.”

The National Geographic State Bee takes place April 1 in Bedford, Texas. The winner of the state competition will move on to the national competition in May. View more information about the National Geographic Bee here.

MISD Teacher Named KLTY Teacher of the Month

She usually likes to stay behind the scenes, but Brooks Wester Middle School teacher Stephanie Shackelford was front and center to be recognized for a job well done by a local radio station.

Hundreds of students and staff gathered in Wester’s gym to honor Shackelford for receiving the 94.9 KLTY Teacher of the Month award. The award is given to deserving teachers who are nominated by the public. Coworker Julia Stephen said she wrote into KLTY after seeing how hard Shackelford worked to raise more than $10,000 for the campus’ Angel Tree program.

Radio host Frank Reed talking to Shackelford about her award.

“She really took the bull by the horns,” said Stephen, seventh grade science teacher. “She did the planning, and put in the hours, and the time, and the energy. She was just incredible to work with—very excited, motivating, and inspirational.”

Shackelford said she is in shock and humbled by such acknowledgement.

“I’m not used to having the attention on me, so this is all so new for me,” said Shackelford. “I hope students take away from this assembly that when you do good, something good eventually comes to you—even though you’re not doing it to get any sort of recognition for it.”

As the KLTY Teacher of the Month, the eighth grade English teacher received hundreds of dollars in gift cards, a complimentary facial treatment, and a plaque of recognition.

Buckets and TNT speaking to Wester Middle school students.

At the award ceremony, the audience received an additional treat by having two members of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters speak to them about the importance of having good character. Afterwards, Buckets and TNT brought members from the crowd down to the court to teach some of their basketball skills.

The students left the presentation learning about cooperation, healthy mind and body, effort, enthusiasm, and responsibility (C.H.E.E.R.). The acronym is used to get the kids to care about school and each other to better prepare them for the challenges they may face as young adults.