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The World Language Academy is a fun, interactive program that provides EMS students and their parents the opportunity to learn a new language side-by-side. The academy, which offers both Spanish and American Sign Language, is open to EMS students in grades 2 - 5 with a parent or guardian and to EMS students in grades 6 - 8. 

The fall session will be offered on Monday evenings from September 21 to November 30 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Marine Creek Middle School, 5825 Marine Creek Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76179 (with no class on October 12 or November 23). Free to EMS ISD students and their parents

Please complete this form to reserve your spot in either the Spanish or American Sign Language course.

The first day of school came with a surprise for three Bryson Elementary students that nearly everyone seemed to know about except them.

When Winry, Sya and Njekwa Sibanyama walked into the gym for PE, their dad was waiting for them.

Gerald Sibanyama had spent months making sure they didn't know he was Bryson's new PE teacher. The surprise led to three very different reactions: fifth grader Winry was stunned and emotional, kindergartner Njekwa excitedly made his way to Dad, and second grader Sya took the revelation considerably more in stride.

He was surprised, Gerald said. He just didn't necessarily show it.

"It was funny because he's standing there, and I call him over to me and give him a hug," Gerald said. "I'm asking him, 'Are you surprised?' And he says, 'Yes,' but he says it with a straight face."

Keeping all three children in the dark took a team effort.

Gerald interviewed for the Bryson position in May, but when his daughter overheard part of the phone call offering him the job, he convinced her that nothing was certain.

From there, family members and Bryson staff joined the secret. The kids stayed home from Meet the Teacher, and teachers helped steer them away from clues on the first day of school.

Winry nearly figured it out anyway.

She discovered a Bryson Elementary shirt among Gerald's things before school started and immediately wanted to know why he had it. Gerald quickly explained that a friend had given him the shirt because he didn't own any Bryson gear.

"She goes, 'Oh yeah, that makes sense,'" he recalled.

Even on the first morning, Gerald kept up the act. He put on his old school shirt and badge to drop off his children before changing into his Bryson gear for work.

By the time the kids reached the gym that first day, the secret had survived.

It was a memorable beginning to Gerald's first year in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD and his ninth year in education. He spent his previous eight years at Sherrod Elementary in Arlington, where both Winry and Sya had him as their PE teacher in kindergarten. Now Njekwa will get the same experience at Bryson.

The kids say having Dad at school is "really cool," and the arrangement has already created some fun family crossovers. Winry calls her dad "Coach S" at school, while her younger brothers opted for a more familiar name: Dad.

For Gerald, however, sharing Bryson with his children offers something more.

At home, his children know one version of their dad. At school, they get to see another version of him as a teacher, colleague and member of a larger community.

"I hope it shows them, I guess, a different side of me," Gerald said. "I feel like you expose another facet of me to them, and they'll see me interacting with other people differently."

He credits the Bryson staff with not only helping pull off the first-day surprise, but also welcoming him into a campus community he looks forward to being part of each day.

"I've been blessed at this school," Gerald said. "Everyone's so nice, so helpful. It's been the best opening of the year that I've had."

And while the first-day secret is officially out, Gerald hopes sharing school with Winry, Sya and Njekwa gives the four of them something even better to take home.

"I feel like maybe that will bring us closer in a different way," he said.

EMS ISD Recognized as One of the Nation's Best Communities for Music Education for 13th Consecutive Year

For Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, music education is about more than performances and awards. It is about creating opportunities for every student to discover their talents, build confidence and develop skills that last a lifetime.

That commitment has once again earned national recognition.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD has been named one of the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation, marking the 13th consecutive year the district has received the prestigious honor.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation recognizes school districts across the nation that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. To earn the recognition, districts complete a comprehensive application detailing funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instructional time, facilities, support for music programs and community music-making opportunities.

"This recognition reflects what we believe at EMS ISD, that every student deserves the opportunity to experience the power of music as part of a well-rounded education," said Carla Hardy, EMS ISD director of fine arts. "Receiving this honor for the 13th consecutive year is a testament to our dedicated teachers, supportive leadership, families and community members who continue to invest in meaningful opportunities for our students."

The NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education program celebrates school districts that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality music education.

"Our community understands that fine arts are an essential part of preparing students for success," Hardy said. "We are grateful for the continued support of our music programs and look forward to creating even more opportunities for students to learn, grow and shine."

Receiving this recognition for the 13th straight year reflects EMS ISD's long-standing commitment to providing students with enriching educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom. From elementary music programs to award-winning middle and high school ensembles, students have opportunities to develop creativity, collaboration and confidence through music at every stage of their educational journey.

We are #EMSProud to once again be recognized as one of the nation's Best Communities for Music Education.

EMS ISD celebrated an exciting milestone this summer with the launch of its inaugural TeachFest, a dynamic new professional learning experience designed to energize, empower, and elevate educators as they prepare for the year ahead.

TeachFest 2026 took place June 15-17 at Eagle Mountain High School and welcomed approximately 450 EMS ISD educators over the course of three days. The multi-day event marked a bold step forward in how EMS ISD approaches professional learning by offering educators a flexible, engaging and impactful experience tailored to their individual needs and goals.

Participants had the opportunity to attend one, two, or all three days, building their own personalized professional learning journey. Modeled as an “all-star training camp” for educators, TeachFest encouraged participants to “build their own playbook” by selecting sessions that aligned with their interests, campus needs, content areas and professional goals.

“TeachFest represents more than a single event. It signals a shift in culture,” said Dr. Walter Berringer, Deputy Superintendent. “This experience reflects our commitment to empowering teacher voice and leadership, promoting collaboration across campuses and content areas, and delivering professional learning that is relevant, differentiated and meaningful for our educators.”

What makes TeachFest especially meaningful is its foundation. The event it was built by educators, for educators. The event brought together EMS ISD teachers and leaders, along with experienced professionals and partners, to facilitate sessions that were both practical and inspiring.

Throughout the three days, educators participated in a wide variety of sessions focused on research-based instructional strategies, differentiation and scaffolding practices to support diverse learner needs, innovative technology tools that enhance teaching and learning and specialized sessions supporting areas such as special education, gifted and talented education, and more.

Beyond the session content, TeachFest was designed to be a true professional learning experience. The event created space for collaboration, connection and celebration, allowing educators to learn from one another, share best practices and build momentum heading into the new school year.

“The energy around TeachFest was remarkable,” Berringer said. “This was not just about attending sessions. It was about igniting passion, sparking innovation, and strengthening the collective efficacy of our teaching community. When educators have opportunities to learn from one another and take ownership of their growth, our students ultimately benefit.”

TeachFest also reinforced EMS ISD’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and investing in the growth and success of staff. By celebrating the expertise within the district and creating opportunities for educators to lead and learn together, EMS ISD continues to strengthen a culture of collaboration and excellence.

As TeachFest grows in the years ahead, district leaders hope it will continue to serve as a meaningful professional learning experience that inspires educators, supports strong instruction, and helps prepare every classroom for a successful school year.