She leads with heart, teamwork, and a passion for helping others succeed! 💚 From mentoring colleagues to creating the Buccaneer Book Buddies program 📚 and expanding hands-on STEM Camps 🔬, she goes above and beyond for students and staff every day.
👏 Let’s celebrate Mrs. Gerlufsen for making EC shine!
💛 Know another amazing EC staff member? Nominate them here ➡️ https://www.eastchambers.net/page/recognition
Today we’re celebrating Avry, who received a Buc Challenge Coin for going above and beyond to make sure everyone feels included and welcomed. His kindness and compassion show what it truly means to be a Buccaneer! ⚓️
A reminder that a simple act of kindness can make waves — and those waves make our school stronger. 🌊✨
#GreenAndGoldGreats #BucPride #ChooseKindness
Today we’re celebrating Nicole Touchet, our incredible HR Director at East Chambers ISD! She supports our staff with care and professionalism and helps to keep our district sailing smoothly every single day.
Thank you for the countless ways you make ECISD a great place to work and grow — your dedication to our team doesn’t go unnoticed! ⚓🍎
#CelebrateTXHR #BucPride
⚓🍎 Teacher Talks Tuesday 🍎✏️📚
This week, we’re celebrating Ms. Harmon, our amazing 5th grade math teacher at EC! ➕📏
Before stepping into the classroom, Ms. Harmon worked as a substitute, custodian, and in our afterschool program, ACE, while earning her education degree — talk about dedication and heart! 💪💚
“My teaching philosophy is one that encompasses respect and inclusivity. I value diversity, ensure equal opportunity and foster a sense of trust and community among all students.
My favorite "lightbulb moment" is when students have moved on to other grades and come back to tell me that there were certain things I taught them and told them they would use later at the higher grade levels and they did. They knew what the teacher was talking about because of something I had shown them when they were with me.
What I love about teaching at EC is how we work at building and maintaining a positive environment that helps to ensure the success of each of our students. We work together as a team to meet the needs of our students. We also have a lot of veteran teachers that take the "newbies" under their wings and that makes a difference for both the new teachers and students.” 🌟
We’re so proud to have educators like Ms. Harmon who bring passion, perseverance, and positivity to their classrooms every single day! 💛💚
Heads up - Texas’ Free College Application Week is taking place October 13-19, 2025! During this special week, Texas students will be able to apply at no cost via the ApplyTexas application system. Don’t miss out – get your application in by October 19! https://www.highered.texas.gov/free-college-application-week/
⛵️ Sailing Into the Week, Buccaneers! ⛵️
Stay anchored with all the happenings across ECISD: from volleyball and cross country to band rehearsals, football, and spirit dress-up days—you won’t want to miss a thing! ⚓💚💛
Check out this week’s schedule and set sail for another great week in Buc Nation! 🌊
#BuccaneersInTheKnow #ThinkBoldlyWorkBravelyPlayFiercely
This week, we’re celebrating two Buccaneers who truly embody the spirit of kindness and initiative on campus!
🏅 Robert – Always looking out for others, Robert goes above and beyond without being asked. From picking up forgotten items to returning jackets from the lost and found, he shows what it means to take initiative and help his fellow students.
🏅 Aeryn – Aeryn’s thoughtfulness shines in the little moments. When she saw a classmate accidentally drop his breakfast, she didn’t hesitate to stop and help him pick it up.
👏 Thank you, Robert and Aeryn, for showing us that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference!
#BucPride #ChallengeCoin #KindnessInAction
Today, we celebrate the heart of our schools—the amazing custodians who keep our campuses clean, safe, and welcoming every single day. From sparkling floors to organized classrooms, their hard work often goes unseen, but it never goes unnoticed! 💛💚
Thank you for everything you do to help our students and staff shine! 🌟
#CustodianAppreciationDay #ThankYou
🌾🎉 No School – Texas Rice Festival Youth Day! 🎉🌾
Friday, October 3, 2025, our Buccaneers will have the day off to celebrate Youth Day at the Texas Rice Festival.
Enjoy the fun, food, and festivities — and we’ll see everyone back in class on Monday, October 6, 2025!
#BuccaneerStrong #TexasRiceFestival
The Texas Rice Festival isn’t just a weekend of fun—it’s a celebration of student talent across our region! 🌾 From rice cooking contests 🍚 and pageants 👑, to welding projects 🔧, FFA competitions 🐄, and poster contests 🎨, students from East Chambers and neighboring communities shine.
Beyond the festivities, the TRF invests in our future by awarding scholarships to local students, helping them reach their dreams. 🎓💛💚
We’re proud to see students not just participating, but making a mark—anchored in community, just like we are! ⚓Thank you to the many volunteers that help make the Texas Rice Festival possible!
This week’s spotlight is on Annette Shepherd, Reading Specialist at East Chambers Elementary! 💚💛
What is your teaching philosophy?
“My teaching philosophy is simple: Love the kids you have, and take them from where they are to where they need to be. This means providing meaningful experiences, strategies, and tools for success—plenty of opportunities to use them, and enough challenges to inspire growth!” 🌟
What is your favorite “lightbulb moment” you see in your students?
“My favorite lightbulb moment is when students discover the JOY of Reading! 📖 Their eyes light up when they realize all the new worlds and experiences books open to them. The Wonder and Happiness on their faces is Wonderful!! 💡🤩”
What do you love about teaching at East Chambers?
“East Chambers is HOME. 🏡 I grew up in Winnie and graduated in 1979. In 1991, my teacher Mrs. Molly Tully urged me to return home to teach. The very next day, she passed away. I prayed about it, applied, and found out she had already recommended me for a position. I took her role as Junior High Reading Specialist. I’ve been in education 42 years—35 of them following in her footsteps at East Chambers ISD, my HOME. 💚💛”
💬 Help us celebrate Mrs. Shepherd in the comments and share your favorite reading memory! 📖✨
🌾✨ Buccaneers at TRF! ✨🌾
What a weekend at the Texas Rice Festival BBQ Cookoff! 💚💛 From pageants to cook-offs to contests—our Buccaneers were everywhere!
📸 Did your student participate? We’d love to see it! Drop your favorite BBQ Cookoff Weekend photos in the comments below so we can all celebrate together. ⚓
We're sailing Into a big week in Buc Nation—Pink Out Game Thursday night 💗🏈, plus Texas Rice Festival fun 🎡🌾 to kick off the weekend! Let’s show our spirit, support our teams, and celebrate our community. Go Bucs! 💚💛
We’re cheering on all our Buccaneers taking the stage in this year’s pageants! 👑💚💛 2025 TRF SR. Queen Coronation begins at 6PM in the ECHS Auditorium!
More festival info: https://texasricefestival.com
Shoutout to our Primary Campus September Buccaneers of the Month! These students are shining examples of hard work, spirit, and Buccaneer pride. Way to set the course for a great year! ⚓✨
Last week, Coastal Gateway showed us what Buc spirit looks like! 🙌
We’re calling on all local businesses to join the fun this Spirit Friday—share your videos, wear your colors, and let’s celebrate being Anchored in Community together!💛💚https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15wqnaP8ML/
⚓🍎 Teacher Talks Tuesday 🍎⚓
Meet our youngest Primary Campus teacher, Bailey Kahla, who’s guiding our youngest Buccaneers in PreK3! Ms. Kahla believes that “young kids learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships,” and works to create a safe, loving environment where every child feels valued and confident.
Favorite part of those “lightbulb moments?✨
“Whether it’s zipping up a jacket or recognizing something we’ve been learning, the excitement on their face followed by the loud, surprised ‘I did it!’ is such a fun thing to watch.”
Favorite part about working at ECISD?
“Whether it is with the students, the staff, leadership, and even families, there is a great community among everyone creating a positive environment to work in.”
💛 We’re so thankful for the way she’s building a strong foundation for our littlest Buccaneers!
#BuccaneersAtTheBlackboard
Parents, make sure you’ve downloaded our district app and logged into Rooms — it’s the easiest way to:
✅ Get announcements straight from your child’s teacher
✅ Send and receive messages quickly
✅ Stay in the know on school updates
Strong communication = strong schools. 💛💚
Don’t miss out — download the app today and check your Rooms!
https://youtu.be/ypqIx9Yu_Js
Stay anchored with all the happenings across ECISD: from volleyball and cross country to band rehearsals, football, and spirit dress-up days—you won’t want to miss a thing! 🏴☠️
Check out this week’s schedule and set sail for another great week in Buc Nation! 🌊
#BuccaneersInTheKnow #ThinkBoldly #WorkBravely #PlayFiercely
