It's A Hit

Itasca ISD’s Stephanie Salinas spent 17 years as a social worker before starting a second career as an elementary school music teacher. “Music has always been my passion,” Salinas said, “so getting my alternative teaching certification in 2012 has allowed me to share my passion with students.”

In the fall of 2016, Salinas started working with the Itasca Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) program in addition to teaching during the regular school day. Working in the after school program allowed Salinas to form the ACE Choir, a group of students that met twice a week and performed at various events throughout the community. “I love the ACE choir because the kids that come truly want to be there,” Salinas said. “My favorite memory from the year was the way our choir honored our veterans at the community-wide Veteran’s Day Program and received a standing ovation.”

Salinas is working with students this summer to produce the musical “It’s a Hit,” the story of a young girl that joined a boys’ baseball team. Students will learn all aspects of musical production, including set design, costume design and staging. The students will then perform for parents as part of the ACE Summer Finale Fun Day. Boofy Mishnick, ESC Region 12’s ACE project director, said the musical is a great addition to the other Itasca summer ACE programs, all of which are centered around a baseball theme. “The musical was a great fit for our summer program,” said Mishnick. “Our elementary school students are excited to have the opportunity to learn how to produce a musical from start to finish.” #IAmTXEd #TexasACE Itasca ISD News