February 26, 2009

News Release

Chalna Trawick Announces Retirement from TISD

After 22 years with the Tyler Independent School District, Chalna Trawick, Director of Advanced Studies, has decided to retire.
 

“I have enjoyed my years here at Tyler ISD because of the many wonderfully talented people I have worked with and the numerous goals and accomplishments we have achieved together,” said Trawick.  “After I have devoted more than 25 years to public education, I am excited about God’s plans for the coming years of my life.”
 

Trawick has been the Director of Advanced Studies for the past 10 years.  Among her many accomplishments include:

·                     Developed the Advanced Placement (AP)  Summer Institute teacher training with the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College

·                     Developed the AP Incentive Program for students and teachers with local donors and AP Strategies, Inc.

·                     Doubled the number of students not only taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses, but also making a three or above on the AP Exams

·                     Worked with 7 other districts in the state to develop the Texas IB Schools Organization (TIBS) that is now only one of a few groups authorized with the International Baccalaureate Organization as a teacher training organization.

·                     Began the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme in Tyler ISD

·                     Expanded the TARGET (Tyler’s Academic Resources for the Gifted and Educationally Talented) program to include facets such as a full day TARGET, bilingual teachers, and a research based interdisciplinary curriculum.

“Mrs. Trawick has been dedicated to the education of our children in Tyler ISD and has provided innovative academic programs to meet the needs of our gifted and talented students,” said Kim Tunnell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  “We will miss her knowledge and expertise and appreciate her years of service.”

Trawick also oversees the District’s Advanced Placement Programming and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes that currently include Rice and Woods elementary schools, Hogg Middle School, and Robert E. Lee High School.

Prior to being the Director of Advanced Studies, Trawick was a high school teacher and department chairman in the District.  She was designated as one of ten in the state for a Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding High School Teachers from the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Ex-Students’ Association.  Her retirement is effective June 30, 2009. 

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