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Local Teacher Featured in Book on Teaching

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Connie Bagley of San Marcos was featured in a recently published book on teaching. Great Teachers: Exploring Excellence in Education profiles eight of the greatest teachers in the United States. According to author Dr. Kevin Bartram, “In Great Teachers we take you inside the classrooms—and the heads—of some of America’s greatest teachers, opening the door to those inspired teaching strategies that distinguish excellence in the field of education. While most of these strategies are generally known, the real secret is how they were applied by these teaching geniuses.” Connie Bagley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) in 1972 and is now entering her 51st year of teaching, Connie currently works at San Marcos Academy as a reading specialist, focusing on dyslexia instruction. She has been honored locally and nationally for her work, including Texas Teacher of the Year finalist in 2013, the HEB Excellence in Education Lifetime A...
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Colangelo Receives Exemplary Service Medal

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Laura Colangelo, the Executive Director of the Texas Private Schools Association , became the 31st person to receive San Marcos Baptist Academy’s Exemplary Service Medal May 12 for “distinguished service to God and man through Christian education.” Dr. Brian N. Guenther, president of San Marcos Baptist Academy, and Dr. Ruth B. Welborn, chair of the Academy Board of Trustees, present the Exemplary Service Award to Laura Colangelo, Executive Director of the Texas Private Schools Association May 13. The award is the highest honor given at the Academy, recognizing individuals for “distinguished service to God and man through Christian education.” Colangelo was also the speaker at the Academy’s 114th annual Baccalaureate. (Photo by Marcus McDonald) The medal is the highest award the Academy can bestow and has been presented to 30 individuals since it was established in 1970. Dr. Brian N. Guenther, SMA President, and Dr. Ruth Welborn, Chair of the Board of Trustees, presented the award...
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Facing Trials: An Easter Reflection

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Editor’s Note: The following is a sermon shared by eighth grader Nathanael Green with his church on Palm Sunday. Jesus felt all the feelings we feel when we are struggling, and He knew He would suffer just like us. Just as the world had darkness over it when Christ died on the cross, so do we too have darkness in different ways in our lives. When it was time for Jesus to be tried and crucified, He knew He had to go through it and He did it for us even if that means He had to suffer a lot. Christ felt everything we do when we are struggling in life. It might be different for each person but it is still a feeling we don’t want to feel. He knew that He couldn’t escape this death and that He had to endure the pain and suffering. Jesus cried out to God and asked why is this happening to me God. It shows that all the things we go through, He did too. He knew that if He endured the pain it would be the greatest sacrifice for us who believe in Him. If He did not suffer everything He did w...
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In Praise of the yearbook

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“A yearbook is a love letter a school writes to itself.” This line comes from author Pat Conroy’s famous tribute to a school’s yearbook, which he compares to a “shining novel” that tells the whole story of one year in the life of a school community. “It is one of the most important books you will ever own,” Conroy concludes, “because it contains all the memories and dreams and anxieties and sorrows and triumphs of this single year of your life.” I agree wholeheartedly with Conroy. Some of the Academy yearbooks that reside in the Alumni Director’s Office. Yearbooks have always intrigued me. I enjoy looking through my parents’ books from the 1950’s and being amazed by how young they looked. Mom in her cheerleader uniform . . . Dad celebrating a big win in basketball . . . their youthfulness frozen in time, providing for me a peek into the lives they led and the adventures they enjoyed long before I came along. I am equally fascinated by my old high school yearbooks (I was a San ...
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Sports and Covid: Please respect procedures

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All, as we get ready to begin the Spring semester, I want to touch base with families of athletes and Bear fans in general regarding the thing we hate to talk about, Covid, and the protocols that go along with it.   Covid and Changes in Sports I have received some communications from opposing schools who have had some issues with fans not wanting to follow their procedures for purchasing tickets, and in some cases for not following Covid protocols. Understand that while these complaints have been minimal, like it or not, Covid has brought about a lot of changes in our sports world.   Indoor sports are more likely to be affected by Covid protocols. Indoor sports are more likely to be affected by Covid protocols. I have tried to stay on top of things, and will commit to continuing to do so in regard to communicating ticket and protocol information to parents and staff.  I’d ask that anyone who knows fans or extended family who attend games to watc...
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Bear Football 2021: Season to Remember

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Bear Football: reflections from Coach Toby Wade Hello!  My original intention was to send this out as an email to our football guys and their parents.  First, I got delayed in doing so while playing catchup after our blessed extended season. Then as I thought about what I wanted to say, I realized that this is really bigger than just that group, even though I do and will recognize my appreciation for their above and beyond efforts.   Most of you know that last year was our first in six-man football, and we had an amazing first year, advancing to the semifinals. It was a season that will always be very special to me. Not to downplay at all what we accomplished last year, but wow, this year was something else. We advanced a round further than last year, getting to the state championship game, but the grind and sense of accomplishment I think we as a staff and team felt this year was so much greater. Recall that last year’s season was shortened due to Covid, we had a ...
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Sportsmanship: Keys to Success

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Sportsmanship is an often-used word, yet no definitive explanation is readily available.  We do know that it refers to some key concepts: Citizenship Integrity Respect for Opponents and Officials Fair Play Understanding of the Rules Appreciation for all Performances Personal and Institutional Pride Gracious Acceptance of Results High Moral Character All SMA Coaches are expected to display and promote the following behaviors: Exemplify the highest moral character, behavior and leadership standards. Respect the integrity and personality of the individual athlete. Abide by and teach the rules of the game in letter and in spirit. Set a good example for players and spectators to follow. Shake hands with the officials and opposing coaches before and after the contest in full view of the public. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat in public.  Please confine remarks to game statistics and to...
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