With several decades of professional experience to her credit, Saundra Paschal currently teaches algebra and pre-calculus to the students of Lake View High School in San Angelo, Texas. As a specialist in algebra and pre-calculus, she develops a comprehensive lesson plans designed to prepare students for standardized testing and provide them with mathematical skills that see use on a daily basis outside of the classroom. Ms. Paschal has always valued the support she received from her own high school teachers and entered teaching as an aide. Today, she is very proud of her former students, who joined her as teachers in her high school. In 2008, the football coach and all of his staff were all of her students.
An alumna of Angelo State University, Ms. Paschal earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics while minoring in biology in 1980. She was a coach of the mathematics team at Lake View and coordinated the University Interscholastic League there. Ms. Paschal intends to continue sharing her knowledge with students and mentoring teachers. She received the VIP of the Year Award for 2011 to 2012, and was listed in the Top 12 Educators of the Year Calendar. Likewise, she was listed in the Educator Hall of Fame by the International Association of Top Professionals in 2019, is a Marquis Who’s Who Industry Expert and a recipient of an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as a Marquis Who’s Who Humanitarian Award, featured with Who’s Who of American Women.
In Ms. Paschal’s free time, she is an active participant of her community, known for her photography of high school sports teams and the natural landscapes of Texas. She plays the organ at her local church and has helped develop teaching in Texas on the curriculum writing team of the San Angelo Independent School District. In an effort to remain up to date with developments in her field, Ms. Paschal maintains affiliation with several professional organizations including the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. In addition to her primary work, she has pursued a number of other professional endeavors. Associated with Henry Holt & Company, part of Macmillan Publishers, she is an adviser and reviewer of Algebra II books.
What sets Ms. Paschal apart is her great passion for her work, as well as her exemplary work ethic. Such is her commitment that she was able to fulfill her calling even during one of the most difficult periods of her life. Following the deaths of both her parents within a period of one year, Ms. Paschal was asked by one of her former students to teach a calculus class. Rising above her personal grief, Ms. Paschal was able to pull through for her students and teach the class, showing remarkable resilience in the face of tragedy.
As a teacher, Ms. Paschal is constantly motivated by her students takes pride in them grasping the material. Inspired by numerous people with pursuing her professional journey, she particularly names Laura Elms, Kenneth Hemphill and Frances Renfroe. Throughout her career, she has observed that students are losing communication skills and gravitate more to technology as a means to understand information. To combat this, Ms. Paschal adjusts the criteria to fit the needs of her students. For those looking to become a teacher, she advises individuals to be patient and flexible with students and admin, as well as be open to constructive criticism. Looking to the future, she intends to continue teaching at the school, sharing her knowledge with students and mentoring other teachers.
