GATE
Gifted and Talented Education

My name is Amanda Saunders, and I am your child's GATE teacher and GATE coach. As a GATE coach, I coordinate GT programs, track GT students and their academic progress, and communicate with GT students and parents. This is my first year as a GATE teacher and coach.

Last year, I joined the HSD family as a 4th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher. Before coming to HSD, I was a 1st Grade teacher at Harmony School of Excellence-Houston. Three years of my teaching experience were spent as a long-term substitute teacher in Cy-Fair ISD, where I also completed a student teaching semester in 1st Grade and 3rd Grade Language Arts and Social Studies.

I am a 2009 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Houston, where I obtained a Bachelor's of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I currently hold Texas teaching certification in the following content areas-Generalist EC-4, Generalist 4-8, English as a Second Language Supplemental EC-12, along with gifted and talented credentials. In the near future, I would like to earn a Master's degree in School Counseling through Texas A&M University.

I am very excited to teach your child this year! The GATE program has many exciting opportunites this year that will not only challenge, but help your child grow. Let's make this a wonderful year!

A Little About Me:
*Originally from Louisiana
*I love music--many forms!
*I have a younger brother and sister
*When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, listening to live music, 
traveling, going to the beach, and being outdoors
*I am a big football fan! My favorite teams are the Houston Cougars, LSU Tigers, Texas Aggies, New Orleans Saints, and of course, Houston Texans