Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Mabank ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Russel Marshall (second from right) introduces MISD School Board members Mikey Thompson (from left), Dustin Conner, Todd Grimes, Robby Teague, Bryan Miller and Founder and Chairman Capturing Kids Heart Flip Flippen (right).

MABANK – Mabank Independent School District (MISD) held the beginning of the year convocation on August 14 at the Mabank High School.  Faculty and staff met to begin the school year with up lifting and encouraging words from Interim Superintendent Dr. Russell Marshall. Mabank Education Foundation Executive Director Tonya Chapman commented, “The foundation is here to help you and we want to help the kiddos and Mabank ISD.” Chapman closed the introduction with a drawing for gift cards and a back-to-school basket. 
Marshall entered the auditorium with a standing ovation. He began his welcome with, “You have a wonderful opportunity this year. They are bringing them (students) to us on Wednesday and you know what we got to do? We got to love them.  If you love them, they will love you back.”  Marshall continued to challenge teachers with, “parents are sending you the best they have, and they want you to love them. They want you to keep them safe and they want you to send them home in as good a shape or better than they sent them to you. And you teach them to the best of your ability everyday and to the best of their ability to be taught.” Marshall introduced each school board member and the Mabank Mayor Randy Teague.
This year the guest speaker was Founder and Chairman of Capturing Kids Heart (CKH) Flip Flippen, .Flippen is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, founder, and chairman of CKH. CKH is one of north America’s largest educator training and team development companies.  CKH was chosen by Texas Monthly as the number two best company to work for in North Texas. From Capturingkidshearts.org; “Through experiential training, expert coaching, a character-based curriculum for students, and personalized support, Capturing Kids’ Hearts® equips professionals in K–12 education to implement transformational processes focused on social-emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven campus culture, and student connectedness.” Flippen’s challenge to teachers is to give kids a purpose.