Elementary School

The Elementary School consists of Kindergarten through Grade 5.  There is an assessment exam and documents needed to become enrolled at HFCS.

Kindergarten

Mrs. Denise Pulido, Teacher

  • Montessori Teaching Certification 
  • BA, History, UTA 
  • 19 years of teaching experience 
  • Catechist Certification
  • Nolan Catholic High School Alumni 
  • Nolan School Board

Philosophy: Mrs. Pulido is a product of Catholic Education and she strives to bring her faith and love of teaching into the Kindergarten classroom every day.

Mrs. Mindy Abshire, Kindergarten Aid

  • 4th year in this capacity
  •  Previously served 2 years as Development Director        
  •  Development Assistant/Hospitality for 5 years

Philosophy: I strongly believe in the whole education of the child.  Our Kindergarten classroom is my garden where I continually see Jesus’ gift of a child to be nurtured and encouraged to grow in His image.

 

Special Projects and Activities During The Year

Kindergarten activities we love to do:  

  • Visits throughout the year to Broadway at Westover Retirement Center 
  • Storybook Parade  
  • Caroling  
  • Valentine Cookie Decorating

Awesome field trips to:  

  • Casa Manana, Bass Hall 
  • FW Symphony Kinder Music
  • Pumpkin Patch
  • End of the year Zoo trip

First Grade

Mrs. Suanne Monroe, Teacher

  • Certification in Elementary Education, Special Education 
  • BS Mississippi State University 1976 
  • TCU - 1983 - 84 
  • Schools Attuned 
  • Catechist Certification 
  • Teacher of the Year 2003

Philosophy:  Catholic education is important because here we are able to instill Catholic Christian moral values into our future leaders.  This insures that our children will be followers of Christ throughout their lives.

Mrs. Brenda Conway, 1st Grade Teacher Aide

  • Certified teacher
  • Previously taught at Holy Family Catholic School

Special Projects and Activities During The Year

First grade highlights:

  • Flat Stanley 
  • Gospel plays 
  • Write and illustrate anthologies 
  • Reading buddies with 4th grade 
  • Cards to senior citizens

Second Grade

Mrs. Nancy Shields, Teacher

  • Certifications:  ESL, Kindergarten, Early Childhood
  • Handicapped PK-6
  • Generic Special Education PK-12, 
  • Catechist Certification
  • BA, Elementary Education, Trinity University
  • Who’s Who in American Education
  • 25+ years of teaching experience

Philosophy:  Mrs. Shields believes that all children have the potential to learn.    She feels that Catholic education helps students strive to be God-centered and helps them to recognize and use the gifts God has given them.

Special Projects and Activities During The Year

In second grade, we focus on receiving First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. We are also pet-sitting Oreo and Tiger, and writing about their adventures in second grade.

Third Grade

Mrs. Ellen Muffett, Teacher

  • Certified in Elementary Education
  • BA, Purdue University
  • Catechist Certification
  • 19 years teaching experience

Philosophy:  Teaching at a Catholic school is important to me because it allows me to be a part of the academic and  the spiritual growth of my students.

 

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Wanda Styrsky, Teacher

  • Teacher Certification - UTA - under Master's Guidelines
  • Reading and Math Specialist
  • Catechist Certification
  • Schools Attuned - 2002
  • 12 years teaching experience in the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese
  • Yearbook advisor 
  • Registered Nurse  - BSN University of St. Thomas

 

Philosophy - My role as a Catholic educator is to form a classroom that assist students in discovering through their learning how God is present in each of them and ing for them that Jesus is present in all of us.  Through this they will be able to take God's message to others.

Special Projects and Activities During The Year

  • Reading buddies with 1st Grade
  • Religion focus on God's Guidance in Our Lives
  • "Texas Wild" Zoo trip

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Cyndi Clark, Teacher

  • Texas Certified Grades 1-6
  • BA, History and Sociology, Lake Superior State University
  • 10 years teaching experience

Philosophy: I believe that I can make a difference in the lives of the students that enter my classroom. A Catholic School environment gives me every available tool to educate a child spiritually, educationally, and personally.

Mrs. Judy Marquardt, 5th grade Religion

  • B.A. in Communications, UTA,
  • Major:  Journalism, Minor:  Spanish
  • Taught 5th & 6th grade religious ed at home parish for 8 years

Religion Philosophy:  As parents we are the primary educators of our children and of passing on our faith. Fifth grade Religion focuses on the important practices of our Catholic faith in the Liturgy and through the Sacraments.

Special Projects and Activities During The Year

  • Social Studies - Our United States history explores from how early Native Americans arrived to recent events.  The areas of the American Revolution, Civil War, and World War II are expanded.
  • Science - 5th grade science covers everything from cells and body systems to our universe and light.  Several field trips expanding the study of our solar system are integrated.
  • Math - Much of 5th grade math expands the understanding of fractions and decimals.  Basic algebra is utilized and expanded.
  • English - Reinforcing the groundwork for grammar and writing is expanded.