Jackie Blagg has been with Klein ISD as a secondary math teacher since 1990. She taught at Klein Forest High School for 14 years and transferred to Alternative Classes commencing the 2004-2005 school year. She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, has taught for 28 years, loves to travel and knit. She is active in the Klein community.

Of his military service, James Blankenship says, “I was in the best branch, The US Navy, from 81-84 on USS Constellation and USS Ranger aircraft carriers.” He adds, “Even though Marines are one up on the army and air force since they are part of the Navy, Sailors and Marines generally have a mutual condescension for each other. Haze Gray and Underway!” – Now, how’s that for Navy pride!

Deborah Cathey received a bachelor of science in professional writing (with a minor in English) from the University of Houston. She has been employed as a professional writer for Compaq and American Express in the past. Her desire to work with children drew her to Alternative Classes where she served as a special education teacher assistant with co-teach responsibilities from January 1999 through May 2006. Mrs. Cathey enrolled in the Region IV Teacher Certification Program and earned certification in special education, generalist, and English. She has a motto: "Respect yourself, your teacher, and your fellow students."

Mrs. Cynthia Cisneros is a native Texan from the Gulf Coast region who has been living in Houston for five years. Mrs. Cisneros received a Bachelors of Applied Science in Information Technology in 2003 cum laude. She has completed an accredited Alternative Certification Program to obtain Texas teacher certification. Mrs. Cisneros’s experience includes substitute teacher over a period of 8 years, administrative assistant for a bilingual TAAS facilitator, instructor for computer technology classes for teachers and instructor for computer technology classes for a Title 1 and Title 3 Program. Mrs. Cisneros has been with Klein ISD since 2008, including a long-term substitute teacher assignment at Vistas High School. Mrs. Cisneros says, "My love of education and being brought up by a mother who has been teaching for over 55 years and a family of educators inspired my love of knowledge. My goal is to inspire students to learn just as I was inspired." Her favorite saying is “Believe in your dreams and they may come true, believe in yourself and they will.” Her hope is that her positive attitude and outlook on learning will inspire others.

Greetings and welcome to Mr. Crooks' ELA class at the Annex! I strive weekly to engage the students' minds in the vast world of literature. I also strive to nurture an affectionate appreciation for the art of writing and incorporate grammar. On entering my classroom, there is more to view than students working from textbooks. Students also work in groups cooperatively to reach a common goal. Sometimes, students can "surf" the world wide web to extend their research about a particular topic. Students can also be observed creating projects to learn in a more interesting way. Learning presents endless possibilities. That is what I attempt to teach to students.

Steven Combs has this to say about his military service:

I graduated from high school in 1970 and went on to complete a year of college. The war in Vietnam was de-escalating, but the draft board was still calling young men to active duty. I remember that my draft number was 13, and I had no intention in this world or any other to receive a draft notice, like so many of my friends did.

So I enlisted in the Air Force and went on to become a "fire-fighter." My duty assignments took me to many places, though I had already seen much of the known world since my father spent 30 years in the military himself.

The early part of my four-year enlistment was spent stateside in (SAC) Strategic Air Command. My job was to keep the aircraft, mostly B-52's, KC-135's, and a blend of command T-39's, safe from the threat of fire. A year after we began bombing North Vietnam, and unofficially crossing the border into Laos and Cambodia, our aircraft was sent TDY (temporary duty) to a lovely little Island called Guam. It’s an island out in the Pacific, east of the Philippines, but close enough to fly daily missions.

My six-month stay was over and I was excited about spending the last year of my enlistment at a remote post in southwestern Alaska - a place not easy found on any map - called King Salmon. I was transferred to TAC (Tactical Air Command), and assigned to protect F-4's - part of the early warning system in the artic region to stay off Russian MIG's. These aircraft don't require long runways, so military installations that supported these aircraft could be constructed on just about any location, and there were many in Alaska at the time. I enjoyed the fishing and hunting trips during my stay, and was sad to leave the only place that really gave me pleasure – after all, I spent the first four years of my early "twenties" in the service of my country during a time of confusion and chaos in the 1970's.

I saw a lot of things while on duty, and I think that I would not hesitate to do them over again for God and country.

Sgt. Steve Combs
U.S.A.F.
1972-1975.

I was born in Galveston, Texas.
Married with three children: one daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren.
Graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BA in Spanish and History and minors in English and Government.
And an MEd in Spanish and Supervision in Education.
38 years teaching experience.
I have taught 1 year at New Caney High School.
14 years at Conroe High School (10 years as Department Chair).
2 years at McAllen High School.
21 years at Klein Oak High School (6 years as Department Chair).
Third year at Alternative School.

Mrs. Drumwright teaches Spanish courses and she is the campus certified bilingual instructor.

Here's John Fink's military experience and a history lesson too!

Specialist 4th Class Fink was a US Army, Tactical Wiring Operations Specialist attached to HHC, 9th Engineer Battalion (Combat), Aschaffenburg, West Germany from 79-81. It was part of the 7th Engineer Brigade in Kornwesthiem, W Germany (outside of Stuttgart) and the 7th Corps. The unit started as a mounted Engineer unit in 1917 in El Paso, proudly serving at Camp Stewart, TX. (Hence the Gila monster on its unit crest.) The unit has a storied history including a key roll in The Battle of the Bulge.

Following the outbreak of World War II, the battalion was activated as the 9th Armored Engineer Battalion as part of the newly formed 9th Armored Division. Landing in France in September from their staging base in England, the 9th Armored Engineers supported the division's movement across France, making first contact with the enemy in the Schoenfels-Wilwerdange-Bissen area. The battalion fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, with C Company figuring prominently in the holding of Bastogne, for which the company was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.

On 7 March 1945, during the allied offensive to the Rhine River, Combat Command B of the 9th Armored Division arrived at the town of Remagen only to discover that the Ludendorf Bridge over the Rhine was still intact. A small detachment from B Company braved enemy fire to cut wires and dismantle charges set to destroy the bridge. Although several charges were detonated, the enemy failed to destroy the bridge, and B Company moved to secure the far side of the bridgehead. The following day, C Company successfully kept the bridge open despite a continuous and intense attack by artillery and aircraft that scored 24 hits on the structure. When the smoke of the battle had cleared, the 9th Armored Engineers had been instrumental in the establishment of the first bridgehead across the Rhine River since the Napoleonic Campaigns.

The 9th Engineers participated in the final sweep into Germany and after the surrender, established its occupation headquarters in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth, with A Company at Coburg, B Company at Kulmbach, and C Company at Hof. Occupation duty ended in late 1945, so the battalion departed West Germany and was deactivated on 13 October 1945.

The 9th Engineers were reactivated as the 9th Engineer Combat Battalion (Army) in 1952. In the fall of 1956, the 9th Engineer Battalion replaced the 35th Engineers at Kitzingen, Germany and moved to Aschaffcnburg within the year. The 9th Engineer Battalion served proudly in the Gulf War by leading the 1st Infantry Division through the Desert Breach and assisting in the liberation of Kuwait. The battalion subsequently returned to Aschaffenburg, Germany where it deactivated in 1991. The battalion reactivated as part of the 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany on 5 April 1996. In October of that year, it deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team as part of the covering force for Operation Joint Endeavor and Joint Guard. The battalion returned to Schweinfurt in April of 1997. The battalion later deployed to Kosovo in June of 1999 as part of Task Force Falcon. The battalion returned to Schweinfurt in December of 1999 and remains there to this day as it proudly supports the 2nd Dagger Brigade by living its motto, Asisteremos--We will assist.

You can find out more about this honored unit at www.schweinfurt.army.mil/9eng/

Mrs. Joanne Fiore was conferred a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Art from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, May 1984. For ten years, she worked as a graphic artist. Her employment included Sweet Life Foods in Northboro, Massachusetts; Leonard Davis Advertising in Worcester, Massachusetts; Sir Speedy Printing, in Westboro, Massachusetts; and Pedlar Publishing, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. Mrs. Fiore’s work included creating ads and page designs for two monthly publications, creating displays, logos, business cards, illustrations for menus, newsletters, calendars and computer clip art. She also hand painted women’s and children’s apparel which was sold in a boutique in Massachusetts. She began substituting in Klein ISD in 2001 and has served the Klein ISD community on a campus Instructional Development Council, as president of a campus booster club, and secretary of an athletic booster club. Mrs. Fiore has instructed students enrolled in art elective courses at Alternative Classes since the academic year 2005-2006. Mrs. Fiore is enrolled in Region 4 Alternative Certification Program, seeking teacher certification in Art.

Mrs. Kelly Flaherty has taught in the Klein school district for seven years. She teaches 8th, 10th and 12th grade students English Language Arts (English and Reading) at Alternative Classes. Ms. Flaherty is the campus English Language Arts "TL2" - that's technology learner team leader - for faculty and staff. Mrs. Flaherty was named the KISD Annex Teacher of the Year 2007-2008.

Mrs. Flaherty is a 1995 graduate of Klein Oak High School. She received a Bachelor of Art in English and German from Texas Tech University. She is married and has a young son.

My name is Shirley Fridie. I teach English Language Arts (English and Reading) in the adaptive behavior setting. In my classes, students will develop skills in English and reading. I also co-teach with other core academic teachers. This is my eleventh year to teach at Klein Alternative Classes.

I graduated from Prarie View A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. I have a son, two dogs, and lots of cats.

I have been teaching and coaching for almost 40 years, including head basketball coach at Westbury High School in HISD for 12 years and Joshua High School for 3 years. I coached Michael Clayton at Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. Mike now is the #1 receiver for Tampa Bay in the NFL. I have one son who teaches math at Klein High School. He is also the Junior Varsity basketball coach.

I am a native born Texan and have lived most of my life in the Houston area. After graduating from the University of Houston, I worked for a number of years in the private sector before joining Klein ISD in January 1995 at the Alternative Classes campus. I have a math resource room for students in grades 7-12 and also co-teach math and English courses.

Biographical highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Education from Jackson State University; major in Speech with a minor in Language Arts

Over 37 years teaching expereince, including 1 year on the elementary level and 36 years in secondary education.

Began teaching in KISD in 1986 at Klein Oak High School; one of the "founding" core academic teachers for KISD Alternative Classes in 1994

Secondary English teacher in HISD, 1981-1986

Media Studies teacher in Bridgeport Public Schools, Bridgeport, Michigan, 1971-1981

Workshop speaker, test administrator, mentor for new teachers

Currently teaches secondary speech and high school reading and writing at Alternative Classes

Diana Laura is in her second year as a math teacher in Klein ISD. She came to Klein from Spring ISD. Ms. Laura has worked in Texas schools for 19 years as a middle school and high school math teacher and counselor. She has taught computer science at the local community college.

Ms. Laura earned an undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University with certifications in Mathematics and Computer Information Systems. She has a graduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mrs. Nicholas welcomes you to the Alternative Classes. She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a business major and a Master in Computer Science with a focus in software engineering. She has over seven years of corporate experience and over 12 years of teaching experience, ranging from elementary to university level. As a Computer Science major, Mrs. Nicholas truly understands the importance of mastering computer and business skills. She is a wife and a mother of three school age children, grades ranging from kindergarten through high school. She enjoys teaching.

Mr. Robert Nixon is the teacher for the in school suspension and isolated instruction classroom at Alternative Classes. Mr. Nixon earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Sam Houston State University with a minor in music. Mr. Nixon taught music lessons to children and adults for five years. He began substituting in Klein ISD in 2007, including a long-term in school suspension teacher assignment at Alternative Classes. Mr. Nixon’s future plans include enrollment in an Alternative Certification Program.

Mrs. Rhea Pringle graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education. She later received a Master of Science degree from California State University Fullerton in Reading and certification as a Reading Specialist. Mrs. Pringle is currently certified in Texas for Elementary Education, Grades 1-8 and Special Education, Early Childhood-12. Prior to her employment in Klein ISD, Mrs. Pringle taught school full-time for 16 years, including a bilingual 2nd grade class for 6 years while she lived in California. Students in bilingual 2nd grade classes were taught core academic classes in Spanish – thus Mrs. Pringle taught reading and writing to the 2nd graders in Spanish. She became certified in English as a Second Language while teaching in California. She continued her teaching career as a special education inclusion teacher for grades K-5 in Deer Park, Texas and 7th grade at Granger Middle School in Indian Prairie District 204 in Naperville, Illinois. She then taught 5th grade at Fannin Elementary School in Bryan ISD and Thompson Elementary in Spring ISD.

Mrs. Pringle completed three courses of Spanish in college and lived in Ecuador for 1 ½ years. As a result, she can converse fluently in Spanish, which lead to her employment as a bilingual teacher in California.

She says, “Because of my husband’s work, I have moved several times and have taught in various states and school districts. I have learned a lot from each school setting, and have appreciated the growth I have had as a teacher from every experience.” This is Mrs. Pringle’s fourth year working as a substitute teacher in Klein ISD; her third at Klein ISD’s Alternative Classes. She enjoys reading, movies, baseball (she’s a big Astros fan), swimming, gardening, crafts, traveling, and having fun with her family.

Michael Robertson received an Associate Degree from Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas. He then graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health & P.E./Recreation. He enrolled in the Kingwood College Teacher Certification Program. Mr. Robertson began substituting in the Klein school district in 2003, earned teacher certification, and now teaches health and physical education at Alternative Classes. He is a Children’s Church Youth leader at Lakewood Church, a Youth Pastor at New Covenant, and active in Children’s Church Ministries at Harvest. He has coached baseball with East Houston Baseball Association (ages 6-10, 13 and 17), where his team advanced to national competition. He enjoys reading and playing sports.

Mrs. Kimberly VanPutten is a long-term substitute special education teacher. Mrs. VanPutten joined Klein ISD in March 2009. Prior to joining this district, Mrs. VanPutten taught technology and social skills to adults. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of St. Thomas and is currently working on her special education teacher certification.

Mr. Jeff Wallace graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2004 with a bachelor degree in English and a minor in Political Science. Mr. Wallace substituted in the Klein school district beginning January 2006, including a long-term 8th grade multi-disciplinary teacher position and a long-term 6th grade teacher position at Alternative Classes. He received Texas teacher certification after completing an internship at Alternative Classes in 2007-2008. Mr. Wallace grew up in the Klein community and attended school in KISD from elementary through graduation from Klein High School in 1999. His mother also taught in the Klein school district for over 20 years. Mr. Wallace is ardent about reading, writing, movies/television, traveling, politics, and working towards staying physically fit.

Lynn Wilkes graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She received a Master of Science degree in General Science from Jackson State as well. She worked toward a doctorate at the University of Houston, but placed that endeavor on hold to spend more time with her family. Prior to Klein, she worked one year in Aldine ISD school district as a Chemistry, Physics and Oceanography teacher. Mrs. Wilkes also taught seventh and eighth grade students in Houston Independent School District before coming to Klein.

Mrs. Wilkes taught Biology, Chemistry, and Integrated Physics and Chemistry at Klein High School for 13 years. She became a science specialist for the district and at Klein High School before returning to the classroom at Alternative Classes. She also does private tutoring for students in Cy-Fair, Klein, and private schools.

Originally from Mississippi, Mrs. Wilkes will often spend the weekend there for a couple of days of horseback riding, visiting relatives and enjoying the country. She enjoys biking (motor), shopping for antiques, refinishing antiques, reading, and interior design. She has two children. Her daughter resides on the east coast and her son is a senior at Klein High School.

Lynda Worlow graduated in 1983 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in mathematics. She went on to teach special education math and spelling in Hillsboro, Texas before returning to Texas A&M to complete her Masters of Education. Since then, she has taught three years in Bryan, Texas and she is in her sixth year in Klein ISD (Wunderlich Intermediate and Alternative Classes campuses). In her spare time, she enjoys singing, reading, crafts, and working with the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer leader. She is an active volunteer at Klein High School working with Mu Alpha Theta (math team).