Ms. Ashleigh Pesce graduated from the University of Houston Downtown in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Early Childhood through 6th Grade Generalist). She knew she wanted to be a teacher since the tender age of seven. Her passion for children and helping concepts “click” is what motivates her teaching each year. She chose teaching because she could use her creative skills to best help each child reach their full potential. Ms. Pesce found her home in Houston ISD seven years ago. She began her teaching career at Thompson Elementary where she taught both prekindergarten (1 year) and kindergarten (2 years). She has been teaching first grade at Piney Point Elementary for the last four years.
Her favorite part of the school day is literacy work stations and small group time because she is able to focus her attention on each child’s strengths and weaknesses. She treasures the opportunity to learn about each child’s unique characteristics and using this information to help them reach their full potential. Ms. Pesce also exhibits contagious energy during full class activities. You most likely would see her energy on full display when reading one of her favorite books, Click, Clack, Moo! Cows that Type, by Doreen Cronin. Because the story is full of repetitive phases, the students have the opportunity to be part of the read aloud. The story is also silly and FUN, and these same characteristics describe Ms. Pesce! Her students in Houston are fortunate to have her. Likewise, TutorMate is privileged to partner with Ms. Pesce and her students. Ms. Pesce has fully embraced the TutorMate system and is grateful for her partnership with CenterPoint Energy and the relationships built between the tutors and students. She has developed a strong working relationship with many of the tutors by taking attendance and communicating via messaging. Ms. Pesce optimizes her students’ learning experiences by updating reading levels routinely, and the students have made remarkable progress in their reading abilities and reading confidence.
Piney Point Elementary is an outstanding school in the Houston Independent School District led proudly by Principal Bobbie Swaby. Mrs. Swaby believes in putting children first and working with teachers to give students the best possible education. Ms. Pesce is an outstanding Piney Point educator who has not only incorporated the TutorMate program in her classroom but has embraced the school’s belief in educating the whole child. Piney Point is a Title I campus with a majority of its students limited in English proficiency and over 95% of its population economically disadvantaged. The school prides itself on giving its students opportunities they may not otherwise be exposed to by bringing new experiences into the school and routinely taking students out of the school setting. Community is important to Piney Point, and they are proud of their civic partnerships. Above all, Piney Point is a campus that cares, works hard, challenges young minds and shines!
Her favorite part of the school day is literacy work stations and small group time because she is able to focus her attention on each child’s strengths and weaknesses. She treasures the opportunity to learn about each child’s unique characteristics and using this information to help them reach their full potential. Ms. Pesce also exhibits contagious energy during full class activities. You most likely would see her energy on full display when reading one of her favorite books, Click, Clack, Moo! Cows that Type, by Doreen Cronin. Because the story is full of repetitive phases, the students have the opportunity to be part of the read aloud. The story is also silly and FUN, and these same characteristics describe Ms. Pesce! Her students in Houston are fortunate to have her. Likewise, TutorMate is privileged to partner with Ms. Pesce and her students. Ms. Pesce has fully embraced the TutorMate system and is grateful for her partnership with CenterPoint Energy and the relationships built between the tutors and students. She has developed a strong working relationship with many of the tutors by taking attendance and communicating via messaging. Ms. Pesce optimizes her students’ learning experiences by updating reading levels routinely, and the students have made remarkable progress in their reading abilities and reading confidence.
Piney Point Elementary is an outstanding school in the Houston Independent School District led proudly by Principal Bobbie Swaby. Mrs. Swaby believes in putting children first and working with teachers to give students the best possible education. Ms. Pesce is an outstanding Piney Point educator who has not only incorporated the TutorMate program in her classroom but has embraced the school’s belief in educating the whole child. Piney Point is a Title I campus with a majority of its students limited in English proficiency and over 95% of its population economically disadvantaged. The school prides itself on giving its students opportunities they may not otherwise be exposed to by bringing new experiences into the school and routinely taking students out of the school setting. Community is important to Piney Point, and they are proud of their civic partnerships. Above all, Piney Point is a campus that cares, works hard, challenges young minds and shines!
SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS
Enrollment — 1,188
Grades served — PK–5
Economically disadvantaged – 97%
Enrollment by ethnicity — 80% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% White, 5% Asian, 1% Multiple
Percentage of English language learners — 77%
Grades served — PK–5
Economically disadvantaged – 97%
Enrollment by ethnicity — 80% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% White, 5% Asian, 1% Multiple
Percentage of English language learners — 77%
CORPORATE SPONSOR |
CenterPoint Energy is the TutorMate partner for Ms. Pesce’s classroom at Piney Point Elementary. Not only does CenterPoint provide safe and reliable electricity and natural gas, they are committed to addressing the needs of the Houston community. They take great pride in the relationships they’ve formed, and we are grateful that so many caring, engaged CenterPoint employees have chosen to partner with TutorMate. With more than 90 CenterPoint Energy TutorMate volunteers in nine Houston Independent School District classrooms, CenterPoint is by far our largest TutorMate group. Their efforts make a tremendous difference for young readers.
CenterPoint tutors have shared the following in tutor session feedback:
CenterPoint tutors have shared the following in tutor session feedback:
- Carol Banner — “Great session – making progress!”
- Michelle French – “Great session! The student was engaged!”
- Candace Hernandez – “Student breezed through the session today. Was much better at sounding out the words and was very engaged.”
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