“We were a little disheartened, but instead of accepting defeat, we pulled ourselves up and did what we had to do,” she said.
Tasby began the 2024-2025 school year with a district goal to climb just one level, but Maston believed her teachers and students could do more.
They proved her right. The campus not only earned a B on the STAAR test, but also celebrated the highest Texas Education Agency score in its nearly 20-year history and seven distinctions.
The first step toward making the B goal, Maston said, was to give her teachers the support and resources they needed to succeed. This included conducting in-the-moment coaching, which gave educators real-time feedback.
“If I went into a classroom, they knew I was going in as a support, not as an evaluation,” she said.
Maston also focused on empowering teachers with the tools and training they need for student success. Professional development, often led by fellow educators, allowed teachers to practice lessons with peers and receive immediate feedback.
Professional development is the foundation to success, said Alan Shaw, a sixth grade English and language arts teacher.
“They create a safe space for everyone to share best practices,” he said. “It’s a great place for teachers to learn from each other.”
He, along with Jennifer Williams, a middle school math teacher, lead professional development sessions.
Getting a low rating the year before was a wake-up call, Williams said.
Her strategy for the following year was to look at what the students already knew and build off that. She also encouraged math teachers to explain to their classes how previous knowledge and skills build off one another.
Another key component to Tasby’s success was empowering the students and celebrating their achievements.
“We know their potential and what they can do,” she said.
Instead of demanding results, she encourages students to keep up the momentum. Students know their data and goals, which gives them ownership of their learning.
“We’re teaching them, but we’re really selling confidence and selling hope,” Williams said.
When students have confidence, they are going to rise to challenges because they’ve already been told that they can do the hard things, she added.
“It’s important we build those relationships because that will go further than content. If a student trusts me, they’re going to do everything they can to make me happy,” Williams said.
For Shaw, it’s about letting the students know they are more than a test score.
“I tell them that I want to see them grow, collectively, and overall,” he said. “We’re doing everything to make sure that when they grow up, they are decent citizens. It’s just not about the test scores.”
Lillie Tasby, daughter of the school’s namesake, gives Maston full credit for leading the two-level jump.
“It says something about our principal,” she said. “She’s stern, but she’s stern for a reason. The kids need that, and they need a good education.”
While the journey to a B rating was a major milestone, Maston says the work isn’t done. She and her team are now setting their sights even higher, hoping to receive an A rating for the 2025-2026 school year.
