New Faces
October 29, 2008
Stepping Up
By April Robles
Mindy Cotton is the new Woodson ISD junior high English and reading teacher and high school FCS teacher. Mrs. Cotton was born in Haskell, Texas in1969. She graduated from Tarleton in 1992, with a teaching degree, which she chose because she loves to be with kids and see smiley faces all day. Mrs. Cotton has taught 3rd and 4th grade classes in the past, and has taught at three other schools: Moran, Robert Lee, and Corner Stone Christian Academy. She accepted the position at Woodson High because her husband, Paul Cotton, was hired as assistant coach for the Cowboys.
Mrs. Cotton has three children. Her son, Taylor, 19, is currently attending Cisco Junior College; Ashley, 13, attends Woodson Junior High, and Sarah, 8, is attending Woodson Elementary.
Mrs. Cotton loves spending time with her family. Some of her hobbies include swimming, golfing, and camping. Goals for her kids, students and herself, include happiness and learning to full potential. Mindy Cotton loves what she does, loves her family, and loves her students. Welcome to Woodson, Mrs. Cotton!
Doing the Right Thing
By Bri Thomas
In October of 1948, Paul Michael Cotton was born in Waco, Texas. By his eighth grade year, he knew he wanted to go into coaching. He graduated from Tarleton in 1973 and has coached and taught for twenty-one years.
Luckily, he ended up in Woodson. When the assistant coaching position opened, he interviewed, because he “just felt like it was the thing to do.” His wife of three years, Mindy, and his step-daughters, Ashley and Sarah, joined him in moving to Woodson. His step-son, Taylor, is now a freshman at CJC, and he has older children and a grandchild, Maddy, who live in Abilene and North Carolina.
When Coach Cotton is not instructing in the classroom or training on the field, he enjoys cooking, working out, and playing golf, though he is not able to play as often as he would like. His favorite television show is “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” he listens to country and oldies from the ‘60s and ‘70’s, and he prefers Target over Wal-Mart.
When asked what his goals are for the year, the new Woodson coach quickly answered that he would love to help lead the Cowboys to state in football.
“On a more serious note, though,” he finished, “I just want to help. That is what teachers are here for.”
She Counts!
By Celestial Campbell
Shannon Caffey was born in FortSmith, Arkansas in 1963. She joins the Woodson ISD students and staff for 2008-09 and hopefully, for many years to come. Mrs. Caffey’s teaching career began in 1985, after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Math Education from the South Western Oklahoma State University. She has taught Math for 23 years, in 13 different schools in Texas and Oklahoma. She has done a little bit of teaching in Computer Science as well.
Mrs. Caffey lives in Breckenridge, Texas, with her husband, an assistant coach at Breckenridge High School and with her daughter, a junior at Breckenridge High School. Her two older children are attending college this year, and she is excited.
Mrs. Caffey loves watching sports and walking in her spare time. She likes helping children with math and other subjects as well. She is excited about this school year at Woodson ISD, and she can’t wait to see what’s in store.
Roaming Our Halls Once Again
By Drew Ellis
Mrs. Nanci Bellah Baxley graduated from Woodson I.S.D. in 1980. Twenty-eight years later she has returned to Woodson to be a part of the staff as secretary. Nanci has substitute taught at Woodson for the past ten years. When asked why she enjoyed working at the school she stated, “I just enjoy being around the students and working at my own alma mater.”
Nanci is the daughter of Earlene Bellah and the late Donald Bellah. She grew up in Woodson with two brothers, Donnie and Dennis, and a sister, Nikki. After graduating she married her husband of 27 years, David Baxley, and they moved to Breckenridge. After having two kids, Nesha, who is now attending the University of North Texas, and Jeb, a licensed paramedic, who is now attending the fire academy, the family moved back to Woodson for the kids to attend school.
Nanci enjoys soft rock music and waterskiing. She likes to work in her garden and go to the lake with family. “I like” she also said, “to play with my dog Max and of course, shopping.”
When asked about her goals for the year she said she wants to adapt to her “empty nest,” now that her kids have both left home for good, and that she would love to make more time for herself. However her foremost goal is to, “Do my best as secretary at W.I.S.D to continue the quality of service that Mrs. Potts initiated over 20 years ago.”
If the Shoe Fits
By Spencer Clark
“I am hoping to fill the huge shoes of Mrs. Potts in the office, as secretary.” Mrs. Cindy Parker, who is the new Woodson I.S.D. Business Manager, stated. Mrs. Parker loves doing her job, and helping students whenever possible. The wife of retired US Marine, Peter O. Parker, Mrs. Parker also loves her affectionate family. She is mother to Geoffrey Parker, 20, and Maggie, 9. Mrs. Parker is the daughter of W.E. and Annette Harper of Woodson.
Mrs. Parker attended Abilene Christian University, later receiving her bachelor’s degree and certification in Secondary Social Studies. After some time in California, the Parkers returned to Texas. Mrs. Parker has subbed at Woodson for the past two years and is now glad to be on staff and in her hometown. She hopes to soon move into her own home on FM 209 E.
Mrs. Parker’s hobbies include watching and supporting the Woodson Cowboys and Cowgirls, fishing, and golfing with her family. She likes listening to Christian music, and attends church weekly.
Mrs. Parker is doing well in pursuing her goal as the new business manager for Woodson I.S.D.
