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TEA News Releases Online
March 31, 2009
Texas Education Agency announces
new Texas Governor’s Mansion curriculum
First Lady Anita Perry speaks to fourth grade social studies students
AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency, in partnership with the Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund today announced the release of a new social studies curriculum called “This House is Your House” that can be used by students studying Texas history.
The curriculum created and developed by Sally Hunter, a teacher at Highland Park Elementary School in the Austin Independent School District emphasizes the importance and history of the Texas Governor’s Mansion. The landmark structure was heavily damaged by fire in June 2008 and work is under way to restore this Texas treasure.
First Lady Anita Perry, TEA Deputy Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds and Hunter addressed the students at Austin’s Pease Elementary School and presented a lively overview of the new teaching supplement.
“Texans are known as self-starters who step up to the plate when needed,” says Mrs. Perry. “Texans like teacher Sally Hunter, who value the importance of our culture and heritage.”
Within days after an arsonist started the fire at the Mansion, Hunter began writing “This House is Your House.” After approaching the local preservation organizations and TEA, a focus group was assembled and the curriculum was born. “This House is Your House,” is a joint project of the Texas Education Agency, Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund, Austin Independent School District and the State Bar of Texas.
“It is an honor for the Texas Education Agency to partner with the Texas Governor's
Mansion Restoration Fund and other organizations in acknowledging the rich history of the Texas Governor's Mansion, the house that belongs to all Texans,” said TEA Commissioner Robert Scott, in a letter to students and educators.
Pease Elementary, a TEA “recognized school” in downtown Austin, is the oldest continuously operating school in the state of Texas. Pease was founded in 1876 and named after Governor Elisha M. Pease who created the Permanent School Fund, a multi-billion dollar perpetual endowment that still funds Texas schools today. Pease is the only all transfer school in the district with a diverse student population and small class size in kindergarten through sixth grade.
The new Mansion curriculum will be posted permanently on TEA and TGMRF Web sites. For more information, visit www.tea.state.tx.us and www.texasgovernorsmansion.org. Contact Debbie Ratcliffe, director of TEA’s Division of Communications and State Board of Education Support, at 512-463-9000 or debbie.ratcliffe@tea.state.tx.us . Contact Sally Hunter at 512-841-1806 or shunter@austinisd.org.