Evaluation specialist savors uniqueness of every child
Katherine Bell
Katherine Bell didn’t set out to work with children. When the licensed psychologist completed her university studies, she initially worked with adults in drug and alcohol addiction programs, and then maintained a private practice for 18 years.
But Bell has been an evaluation specialist in HISD’s Child Study department now for 25 years, and she works with students from Ashford, Bush, and West University ES schools to identify children with disabilities and test kids for dyslexia. She says it’s the fascinating variety of children she meets every day that keeps her coming back.
“My job has a lot of variety, because every child is so unique,” said Bell. “I really enjoy pinpointing learning differences and communicating those to parents and teachers so that they can understand and embrace those differences.”
Bell officially marked her 25th anniversary with the district on Feb. 1, but several other employees also marked theirs over the last two weeks (Jan. 26–Feb. 8). See if you know anyone on this list:
25 years
- Dovie Ford, teaching assistant, Herrera ES
- Elana Spector, teacher, West University ES
20 years
- Allen Mann Sr., HVAC repairer, Construction & Facility Services
15 years
- Cecilia Guinn, teacher, Crespo ES
10 years
- Deborah Andrepoint, teacher, Sharpstown Intl. School
- Elvin Baines, program administrator, JROTC
- Debra Cross, secretary, IT
5 years
- Meredith Austin, speech therapist, Deaf Campus
- Ricardo Castro, teacher, Isaacs ES
- Rosa Chavez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Chynson Cornett, painter, Construction & Facility Services
- John DeSoto, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Carmela Garcia, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Michael Love, manager, Career & Technical Education
- Emma Sanchez, secretary, Herrera ES
- Averi Steen, clerk, High School Ahead Academy
| Check back next Friday for more February Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
Ashburn is not a school in HISD. Did the article mean Ashford?
Whoops! Thanks for the catch. Yes, we meant Ashford. Now fixed.