We are thrilled to announce the Tyler Legacy High School Rookie of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year is none other than, Syndi Blundell.
Learn more about Ms. Blundell below:
My name is Sydni Blundell and, this year, I joined Tyler Legacy teaching English I. I was previously at The University of Texas at Tyler, working in the College of Education and Psychology Dean’s Office, which is where my love for teaching was nurtured. My bachelor’s degree is in psychology, but I had always considered going back to school to obtain certification in education. After joining the College of Education and Psychology and getting to work with some amazing educators, most who had been K-12 classroom teachers themselves, my passion for K-12 teachers and students was realized. My support system includes my wonderful husband, Rusty, and our four precious children, Dalton, Alex, Lilly, and Mason. Their ages span from one year to seven years old, all about two years apart. They are the brightest lights in my life, and I am very lucky to have them! That being said, starting a family and wanting four children delayed my timing on entering the education profession. As luck would have it, when I was ready to make a change this past August, the perfect opportunity to join the Legacy family presented itself, I enthusiastically applied, and I was thankfully hired. Since being at Tyler Legacy, I have learned so much and could not ask for a better support system. My team and department are always there, they have shared their knowledge and expertise. Joy Clary has constantly provided development opportunities, which I have tried to soak up like a sponge, and helped me when I have been stuck. Cross-department gurus, like Amber Barnard and Nate Hartsock, shared successful techniques that have worked for them to implement in my classroom. I have also learned so much from the students. I have seen their good and not-so-good sides, have been on “this” side of having to set and hold boundaries, showed them that there are positive and negatives consequences to actions, and maintained that they still deserve a chance to come into class and continue to learn. I have had students tell me that they love being in class, even if they do not love English. I have celebrated with a student who received “Meets” after retaking the English I STAAR in December. Every day, I get the opportunity to show students that I am there for them, and we can succeed together. I am thankful to get to be part of the Legacy family and I cannot wait to continue this journey!\
