Judith Howard Cotton Basics
Judith's first teaching position was in this major Metroplex city.
What is Dallas, Texas?
Judith's daily mantra to students includes these two phrases.
What are "What's the procedure?" and "Are you reaching excellence?"
5th graders used to go to this place on this overnight field trip.
What is to the Outdoor Learning Center?
When we stayed for two nights it was like a vacation. As the teachers, we only had to monitor LUNCH!
A male student said, "Mrs. Cotton, you're teaching us like you think we're smart."
What is TRUE?
Jarvis Redwine astonishingly said this during a project-based Math task. He and the students went on to excellent success that year!
The favorite time of Judith's workday is when this happens.
What is "When a student understands a concept and investigates further?"
Seeing their proud facial expressions and glint in their eyes motivating!
This was Judith's first teaching position in Fort Worth ISD.
What is 4th grade Social Studies at East Handley Elementary?
Some parents threatened to go to the School Board because my expectations were too high.
This is Judith's response when asked to cough up money at work.
What is "I don't have no money. I have three children in college?"
Some people say I should stop saying that... but it just comes out when money is asked for!
This after school activity was located at Papa's Burgers, Pappadeaux, Gloria's, and Blue Mesa.
What is "Happy Hour?"
We were regulars like the people on the tv show Cheers: had our own section, servers knew our orders!
Judith is a Certified Individual Practitioner through the Institute of Habits of Mind.
What is TRUE?
I have used Habits of Mind for years. The training and certification enhanced my teaching critical thinking to the students and gave the students tools to become aware of their abilities and thinking academically.
This home summer activity has not been active for several years.
What is "Cotton Camp?"
Several family members have graduated from "Cotton Camp" and are now productive entrepreneurs and citizens.
"Cotton Camp" will open part time in 2026.
Judith was in this position on September 11, 2001 when over half of the students received early dismissals.
What is Assistant Principal at M. I. Logan?
Judith says this when she's called for an unexpected meeting.
What is "Do I need to get my purse?"
Judith traversed FWISD to her assigned elementary, middle, and high schools in this position.
What is "Instructional Support Team member"?
This was a very fulfilling job! I was assigned to Daggett and S. S. Dillow Elementary Schools, J. P. Elder Middle School, and Trimble Tech High School.
My content areas were Math and Social Studies. I analyzed data, made action plans, tutored small groups, provided one-to-one teacher support, provided PD to Math and Social Studies teachers.
Prior to taking the state test, a student asked if they could pray.
What is TRUE?
The students made a circle, got on their knees, folded hands and prayed for God to help them pass the test!
This quick activity is on Judith's two item bucket list.
What is "driving an Indy or Formula 1 race car"?
I've been a fast driver since I was 5 years old! My mom had my dad make a triangle on the sidewalk where the sidewalks made a right angle. She said, "can't you see she keeps riding over that spot?"
This prestigious award was earned by Judith out of a pool of 200 applicants and 125 interviewees.
What is "Lockheed Teaching Chair for Elementary Mathematics?"
One of the engineers on the panel said if he had a math teacher like me, he would be more than an engineer!
This is Judith's response when someone says they want to be like her.
What is "Oh no, be better than that!"
Judith's students were invited to Rainwater Foundation offices for their on campus work.
Who are News Crew at Morningside Elementary?
News Crew researched Richard Rainwater before his passing made a bulletin board in his honor. His brother, Walter came and saw the effort and pride the student shad put in. He arranged for them to visit the rainwater Foundation filled with tours, snack, and hot catered lunch.
Students can believe Judith when she willing gives them an answer to a math problem.
What is "FALSE?"
When students are being lazy and not using prior knowledge, I give them an impossible/nonsense answer. The students finally realize that if I willingly give an answer, they should check for themselves.
When a student was fired by the school Editor-in Chief, s/he appealed to Judith to be reinstated and was told this.
What is "The Editor-in-Chief has the final say. Going forward , be responsible and do your job?"
The students had to apply for the newspaper job, attend weekly meetings, research/write articles/activities, reach deadlines...
Of course the firing was after two warnings and opportunities to do the job correctly.
Judith participated in this FWISD program and was published.
What is Applied Learning?
Applied Learning and The Portfolio Project were innovative methods used by students to "learn curriculum content and to use what they learn in solving a problem or fulfilling some important need. Applied learning is based on the belief that, to be relevant, learning must apply to real situations."
Judith says this when asked to do several tasks at a time.
What is "Do you want me to teach or _____________, 'cause I'm not doing both?"
Judith's GT students wrote, edited, published, and sold a school newspaper at this school.
What is M. M. Walton Elementary?
Judith had graduated college when her father asked if she was going to get a job.
What is "TRUE?"
Why? Why? Why can't I just live at home all my life?
This is the one place in the world that Judith place in wants to travel to.
What is the "Amazon Rainforest"?
I want to spend two weeks exploring with a tour guide and experience the beauty and wonder of it!