PTISD:  What is your work background? Have you always been in education?

DB:  My work experience has not always been in the field of education. While completing my associates and business degrees, I worked as a Senior Project Coordinator for Excel Communications, Inc. in Addison, TX. As an associate in the Network Engineering Dept., I originated, negotiated, and managed contracts with firms such as MCI/WorldCom and Bell Canada, Inc. to purchase services from our collocation business unit. Other responsibilities include overseeing the installation of data/network services, negotiating service contracts, and managing the network products warehouse. During this time, as I watched my kids go through school, I gained a passion for teaching and learning that encouraged me to go back to school and complete an alternative certification program that would kick start my teaching career.

PTISD: What is your Educational Background?

DB: Prior to coming to Pine Tree ISD, I have been in education for 11 years, all in Garland ISD . I taught 7th grade math for 2 years at Sellers Middle School. The next 6 years I spent at Garland High School where I taught Algebra 1 (on-level and PreAP), Geometry, and Math Models Applications. I also coached football, baseball, and track. I spent my final 3 years in Garland ISD as a Math Facilitator at the campus and district levels. I supported math instruction at all 71 campuses, wrote and audited the secondary math curriculum, and facilitated professional learning for both teachers and campus administrators.

DB: I have an Associate of Applied Sciences degree from Richland College (Dallas), a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University, and I'm currently pursuing my Doctor of Education from Texas A&M Commerce University. I will begin my 4th semester of coursework in the Fall of 2015. I am SBEC certified 4-8 Math, 8-12 math, and EC-12 Principal.

PTISD: Please tell PTISD about your family

DB: I have a lovely wife, Laura, of 27 years. She works as an executive assistant in the Richardson area. We have 3 children (Justin, Meghan, and Jared) and 3 grandbabies (Holden - 2, Maddox - 19 months, Harper - 17 months). Justin is a graduate of Criswell Bible College and works as a financial consultant. He is married to our daughter-in-law Charity. She is a dance teacher and drill team coach at Garland High School. Meghan is a graduate of Iowa State University and works as a preschool teacher. She is finishing her EC-6 teacher certification and will soon join the public school ranks. Jared is a graduate of Tarleton State University and is an economics teacher, varsity quarterback coach, and head freshman baseball coach at Pine Tree High School. We attend Waterbrook Bible Fellowship in Wylie, Texas.

PTISD: What do you do in your spare time?

DB: In my spare time I like to spend it relaxing in my backyard. Some people have "man caves" but I have a "man backyard". My wife has created an oasis for relaxation and fellowship. We typically spend Saturdays in the pool, cooking out on the grill, and watching college sports with the kids, grandkids, or whomever may stop by the house. I also enjoy playing golf and having some mentoring time with my sons.

PTISD: What is your Education Philosophy?

DB: Educators face an array of cultural, socio-economic, political, and philosophical factors that make the art form known as teaching exceedingly more difficult. The behavior of organization can make or break educators who lack sound leadership and guidance. As the instructional leader, I will create a campus culture and climate where educators will embrace professional learning and use their expertise to make sound instructional decisions that will lead to student academic, social, and behavioral success despite the barriers that may exist in their environment. Principals are no longer just managers of people, resources, and buildings. We are now in a position where school accountability, student, and teacher success has been thrust into the forefront of the national debate surrounding how students are educated today. My leadership philosophy is based on a combination of distributive and transformational approaches that promote educator shared decision making and capacity building. I welcome the challenges that come with this position for several reasons. I am a proponent that schools should be safe havens for all students that center on educating the whole child. My experiences with teaching and coaching students from diverse and challenging backgrounds solidified by my own personal experiences and mindset to never give up. It is my mission that all stakeholders succeed. This is my sole motivation in becoming a school leader.

PTISD:  What is your work background?  Have you always been in education?

BV:  Athletic trainer 1991-2006; High School Science Teacher 1991-1992; 1998-2000; 2006-2010

Jr High Science 6-8 2000-2006

Taught in Florida 2006-2008 - Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics

Jr High Assistant Principal, Spring Hill ISD 2013-2015

BV:  BS Lamar University 1991; MEd Lamar University 2010

PTISD:  Please tell PTISD about your family

BV:  My wife Michelle and I met at Cross Brand Cowboy Church in 2010.  We will have been married 3 years this October.  We have 3 horses, 2 dogs and 2 cats.  My wife is an IT specialist for Mercy Ships in Van, TX.  They are a charity running a NGO hospital ship off the coast of Africa.

PTISD:  What do you do in your spare time?

BV: My wife and I work many hours serving our church in attempts to minister to the western heritage culture.  Horse training is my passion.  My wife and I enjoy riding in the woods.  I enjoy day working, starting colts, roping and ranch rodeos.  I enjoy the pursuit of excellence in horsemanship.  It it the epitome of communication, teaching, discipline, and behavior modification. I have a large collection of bridles and bits.  I also enjoy braiding and knot tying.  I use these to build tack for my equine pursuits.

BV: Relationship, service, consistency, and agape.  Train the young in the fundamental truths and skills and how to use their gifts and talents properly.  

PTISD: What is your work background? Have you always been in education?

CN: I have had the pleasure of working in middle schools and junior highs as a teacher and an instructional coach for the past 10 years.

CN: I have had many hats in education and have learned from each of them. My first job was at Hudson ISD as a 6th grade science and math teacher. The next year social studies was added. I then was given the opportunity to be the 5th grade science teacher and lab coordinator. When we moved to the metroplex, Birdville ISD hired me as an advanced academic specialist at the middle school level in charge of PreAP and GT classes and curriculum. After 3 years, my position was reconfigured to be an instructional coach in charge of Tier 1 instruction for all cores at a 6-8 campus, the advanced academics program and the facilitation of the Professional Learning Communities process.

Degrees and Certifications

Bachelor's of Science in Education

Master's of Curriculum and Instruction

Principal certification

PreK-8 Generalist

4-8 Science

Gifted and Talented Supplemental

CN: I am the proud Mama of an 8 month old little boy named Zander. My husband, Clay Nyvall, has also begun work at PTISD at the Junior High. We both grew up in the area and have moved back to be closer to family after the birth of our son.

CN:I love to go for runs, practice yoga and enjoy every spare second I can with my family. In my spare time you will often find me playing on the floor with my son.

CN: I believe that teaching is an opportunity to serve the public by creating and providing a structured, strategic environment in which our youngest citizens can grow into their best selves. It is our honor to do whatever it takes to make this happen.