St. Francis School Faculty & Staff

Donna Pierce

Eighth Grade

It seems I was destined to be a teacher. When I was a young child, I would force my younger nieces and nephews to sit in my make-believe classroom -- much to their dismay. I would stand at my small chalkboard and try to teach them the alphabet, addition, and subtraction. 

Not surprisingly, I ended up graduating with an education degree from the University of Texas. While at UT, I was a member of the Longhorn Band, which probably explains my great love for all types of music. After graduation, I taught at Northview Baptist School for three years, where I taught third and fifth grades. I also helped to manage the after-school program.

Then I taught one year at Lanier Baptist School before I found my way to what I consider the greatest school in Austin -- St. Francis School. I have now been at St. Francis for eighteen remarkable years.

During my time here, I first taught fifth grade, and I then gradually moved into Middle School as it grew from a mere twelve students to the ninety-five plus we have today. I now teach Middle School science, and I enjoy it immensely. 

I was present at St. Francis when we moved from the small, run-down building at the Perry Mansion of 41st Street to this new and larger facility. That move was both frightening and exciting at the same time. We didn’t have the number of students needed to fill it, but it seemed we increased in numbers by leaps and bounds that first year. I now truly believe the quote from Field of Dreams  -- “If you build it, they will come”.

I have watched as our school has grown, not only in numbers, but also in academic achievement. The administration and staff have a great love for, and devotion to, teaching children. All of us are open to new ideas and strategies for teaching. Because of this devotion, the school has been extremely accepting of the base and foundation for our science curriculum -- "FAST". Its approach is purely "hands-on" and inquiry-based.  FAST was developed by the University of Hawaii, and it requires that those who teach the program take classes before beginning the curriculum. St. Francis Schooll has sent me to St. Louis, Honolulu and Topeka for these classes, which have been instrumental in my teaching of science.

I have also attended three National Science Teacher Association conventions in various States. During the conventions, I always attended many workshops on teaching science. I believe no program is perfect, so I am always open to trying new ideas and strategies in my classroom.

I believe one of the most effective ways to teach science is through a "hands-on", inquiry-based curriculum. This teaches students to think on their own, and to draw information from their own questions. They discover that science is an ever-changing field of inquiry, and that there is always a new way to view scientific theories and phenomena. My hope for my students is that they will take control of their own learning experiences and use the tools they acquire in all areas of their schoolwork and lives.

The middle school years are critical in students’ lives. They have to learn to juggle academics and social experiences more so than in earlier years. They are also mastering the skills of building relationships buillt on mutual respect. The Middle School faculty is one of the strategic keys to these student endeavors. Each teacher has his or her own personality and teaching style, but we all have one common goal -- to provide the most effective teaching skills to the students' learning experiences. We get along well as a team, and we respect and listen to each other’s ideas. We also enjoy spending time together outside of school. I think the students see this, and they are able to observe a good example of community and working together.

Outside of school, my interests are very diverse. My favorite activity is attending UT women’s basketball games with as many friends as I can "drag along". I also enjoy movies, reading, being outdoors, playing games, and spending as much time as possible with friends. I truly love listening to music, all different types of music. I also love to travel, and I have been to many scientifically interesting places in the United States. The eighth grade trip we take each year has inspired me to begin traveling more outside the country. I believe travel is instrumental in broadening one's knowledge of different cultures and people. And that should inevitably lead one to a more tolerant and compassionate perspective.

Finally, one of my main goals in the classroom is that each student be able to be happy while learning. In fact, it is one of the "must" rules I post for the kids, and one of the most pleasant for them to follow.