Testimonials
Do you have a great Joslin story to tell? Click here to email it to us! Feel free to send pictures and/or video that compliments your testimonial.
Hear what others have to say about Joslin:
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We have a 3rd grader there now and an alum who is in 7th grade at Ann Richards. Both are so engaged in their education and I credit much of that to the teachers and administration. JES is our HOME! I cannot imagine our life without the support and challenge they provide our students every single day. Go Jaguars!
-Lindsey Taucher
-Lindsey Taucher
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Joslin. Summer McKinnon was the first face to introduce me to Joslin and I still see her about 3 times a week. My son Osiris absolutely loves going to school here and I'm so happy with his development. All the staff and students are so friendly. We see fellow Jaguars around the neighborhood all the time and it makes me happy to be a part of the Joslin community. Thank you Joslin!
-Jennifer McGaffney
-Jennifer McGaffney
My wife has worked for Austin ISD since 2000. She has worked at a number of elementary schools. Joslin Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the district.
AISD does not do a good job of promoting its schools. Consequently, Joslin has become one of the best kept secrets in Austin. It is one of the few smaller public schools in our district and has been recognized by TEA and others for academic excellence and closing the achievement gap for low income students.
The classes are small, the faculty and staff are experienced, and every child and family have an opportunity to be part of a small, intimate, learning community.
Nearly 1/3 of the students who attend the school are transfer students. This is because the attendance boundaries for this campus have been narrowed over the years and are desperately in need of updating. The school sits in the Western Trails neighborhood. Yet half of the families that live in the Western Trails neighborhood have to petition to transfer to Joslin even though the school is only three blocks from their homes! Students from all over the city attend Joslin. Most of the students come from families who recognize small schools offer opportunities individual development that simply do not exist in larger elementary school settings. If this describes you, I encourage you to transfer. The paperwork is simple enough and you won't regret it. I certainly did not! This is the kind of education every parent wants for their child.
My child attended Joslin and subsequently applied and was admitted to both AISD's magnet schools. I have no doubt that a lot of his academic success has to do with the academic cultivation and personal nurturing he received at Joslin.
Honestly, I didn't know that it was possible to get this kind of an education for an elementary school student in a public school. I cannot say enough good things about Joslin Elementary.
AISD does not do a good job of promoting its schools. Consequently, Joslin has become one of the best kept secrets in Austin. It is one of the few smaller public schools in our district and has been recognized by TEA and others for academic excellence and closing the achievement gap for low income students.
The classes are small, the faculty and staff are experienced, and every child and family have an opportunity to be part of a small, intimate, learning community.
Nearly 1/3 of the students who attend the school are transfer students. This is because the attendance boundaries for this campus have been narrowed over the years and are desperately in need of updating. The school sits in the Western Trails neighborhood. Yet half of the families that live in the Western Trails neighborhood have to petition to transfer to Joslin even though the school is only three blocks from their homes! Students from all over the city attend Joslin. Most of the students come from families who recognize small schools offer opportunities individual development that simply do not exist in larger elementary school settings. If this describes you, I encourage you to transfer. The paperwork is simple enough and you won't regret it. I certainly did not! This is the kind of education every parent wants for their child.
My child attended Joslin and subsequently applied and was admitted to both AISD's magnet schools. I have no doubt that a lot of his academic success has to do with the academic cultivation and personal nurturing he received at Joslin.
Honestly, I didn't know that it was possible to get this kind of an education for an elementary school student in a public school. I cannot say enough good things about Joslin Elementary.
June 25, 2015
Ms. Pace,
I was pleased to see this article online today. Boy we are going to really miss the amazing staff at Joslin!
My husband and I continue to be amazed at how far Evan progressed over the 6 years at Joslin. We truly believe that there would have been no better place for him to have attended elementary school.
Hope that you are enjoying your summer so far.
http://www.kvue.com/story/news/education/2015/06/25/7-austin-schools-recognized-for-performance-and-progress/29275147/
Hugs to all!
Anji Garcia
Ms. Pace,
I was pleased to see this article online today. Boy we are going to really miss the amazing staff at Joslin!
My husband and I continue to be amazed at how far Evan progressed over the 6 years at Joslin. We truly believe that there would have been no better place for him to have attended elementary school.
Hope that you are enjoying your summer so far.
http://www.kvue.com/story/news/education/2015/06/25/7-austin-schools-recognized-for-performance-and-progress/29275147/
Hugs to all!
Anji Garcia
June 2, 2015
Dear Joslin Teachers, Principals, and Staff,
Tonight, I stood with tears in my eyes, as my daughter graduated from my favorite neighborhood school, Joslin Elementary. Now I am trying to find a way to put into words the way I feel about this wonderful place, and wanted to let you know how much we appreciate everything you have done for us over the past years.
I can't believe I don't get to walk my child to school anymore, to wander through the halls watching children grow, succeed, and flourish as part of my morning. To see the faces of these children in the awards ceremonies, the talent shows, the evening parties and fund raisers. I can't believe I won't be able to just walk in with my child and chat with her teacher, the teachers I absolutely trust and believe in, because of the years we have spent there, together; you, her, and I. You are the best, and don't let anyone - especially politicians and loudmouths who know nothing of teaching, who no nothing of you, but feel they can beat on teachers for political points - tell you otherwise. You made my children's lives so much better, so much happier, so much more fulfilling, and I can not express how much you mean to me, to us, to our city, and our world. You are a treasure, and I can only give you this small token to say, thank you for letting us share in that treasure.
I can't believe I won't be able to wander in to talk to great principals, who take every day and turn it into something special for the children who were lucky enough to be Jaguars. To the principals who made mornings fun at 730, who made children feel welcome, who made children feel part of a place they knew they were loved, and cared for, and at the same time, feel like they could - should - do better, every day.
I can't believe I won't be able to smile at staff and volunteers who support this great school, who help the teachers do what you do so the students can become what they are. I didn't know enough of you, but I felt your presence in all the little things only committed parents and volunteers and capable staff can bring to a school.
But I can believe in the memories I have, of so many wonderful years. And I can believe that others will get to have the same, because of you, and what you do, and the kind of people you are. Because I believe in you.
I don't want to leave. Neither does Lilly. But we must; life refuses to stand still when I demand it. Children grow, and as one of you so eloquently put it, new stories are meant to be written; here, there, and beyond. I can see those stories, on the horizon. I understand that, at one level. But it is hard to feel it, when so much of what we have was created at Joslin.
Thank you for everything, for letting us be a Joslin Jaguar for so many years.
Sincerely,
Dr. William S. Swearingen, Lilly's dad.
Dear Joslin Teachers, Principals, and Staff,
Tonight, I stood with tears in my eyes, as my daughter graduated from my favorite neighborhood school, Joslin Elementary. Now I am trying to find a way to put into words the way I feel about this wonderful place, and wanted to let you know how much we appreciate everything you have done for us over the past years.
I can't believe I don't get to walk my child to school anymore, to wander through the halls watching children grow, succeed, and flourish as part of my morning. To see the faces of these children in the awards ceremonies, the talent shows, the evening parties and fund raisers. I can't believe I won't be able to just walk in with my child and chat with her teacher, the teachers I absolutely trust and believe in, because of the years we have spent there, together; you, her, and I. You are the best, and don't let anyone - especially politicians and loudmouths who know nothing of teaching, who no nothing of you, but feel they can beat on teachers for political points - tell you otherwise. You made my children's lives so much better, so much happier, so much more fulfilling, and I can not express how much you mean to me, to us, to our city, and our world. You are a treasure, and I can only give you this small token to say, thank you for letting us share in that treasure.
I can't believe I won't be able to wander in to talk to great principals, who take every day and turn it into something special for the children who were lucky enough to be Jaguars. To the principals who made mornings fun at 730, who made children feel welcome, who made children feel part of a place they knew they were loved, and cared for, and at the same time, feel like they could - should - do better, every day.
I can't believe I won't be able to smile at staff and volunteers who support this great school, who help the teachers do what you do so the students can become what they are. I didn't know enough of you, but I felt your presence in all the little things only committed parents and volunteers and capable staff can bring to a school.
But I can believe in the memories I have, of so many wonderful years. And I can believe that others will get to have the same, because of you, and what you do, and the kind of people you are. Because I believe in you.
I don't want to leave. Neither does Lilly. But we must; life refuses to stand still when I demand it. Children grow, and as one of you so eloquently put it, new stories are meant to be written; here, there, and beyond. I can see those stories, on the horizon. I understand that, at one level. But it is hard to feel it, when so much of what we have was created at Joslin.
Thank you for everything, for letting us be a Joslin Jaguar for so many years.
Sincerely,
Dr. William S. Swearingen, Lilly's dad.
Hello, all!
Many thanks for allowing us to visit your charming school! Our visit was a huge treat for us—the students were so smart and fun and polite, and we felt very welcomed by our banner and our refreshments—and by all the office staff, library staff, and teachers who helped us. We’re all smitten with that library, too! I don’t want to fall into a rabbit-hole (!) of thanking you for thanking us, but I must say that those notes from the kids are a treasure!! I shared them with the board at our meeting Friday night and with the Lewis Carroll Society as a whole at our event on Saturday, and everyone was delighted. Our interaction with Joslin Elementary was everything we hope for from our Schaefer programs. Please share our regards with all the staff and students we met!
Thanks and best wishes,
Stephanie Lovett
President, Lewis Carroll Society of North America
www.lewiscarroll.org
Many thanks for allowing us to visit your charming school! Our visit was a huge treat for us—the students were so smart and fun and polite, and we felt very welcomed by our banner and our refreshments—and by all the office staff, library staff, and teachers who helped us. We’re all smitten with that library, too! I don’t want to fall into a rabbit-hole (!) of thanking you for thanking us, but I must say that those notes from the kids are a treasure!! I shared them with the board at our meeting Friday night and with the Lewis Carroll Society as a whole at our event on Saturday, and everyone was delighted. Our interaction with Joslin Elementary was everything we hope for from our Schaefer programs. Please share our regards with all the staff and students we met!
Thanks and best wishes,
Stephanie Lovett
President, Lewis Carroll Society of North America
www.lewiscarroll.org
I was born in 1951 and grew up at 4509 Manchaca Road. When the school was being built, I crossed Manchaca Road by myself to visit with the construction workers. The traffic was nothing as it is now. One of the workers brought me back home to face my mom.
My first grade teacher was Mrs Elizabeth Waters. I was in the safety patrol with Pops, and we helped kids our age across Manchaca @ Redd St. We would also raise and lower the flags in the morning and after school. Boy did we think we were something!
I attended Joslin, Porter, Travis, and graduated from Crockett.
I hope to attend 60th anniversary on Friday.
David Sellstrom
My first grade teacher was Mrs Elizabeth Waters. I was in the safety patrol with Pops, and we helped kids our age across Manchaca @ Redd St. We would also raise and lower the flags in the morning and after school. Boy did we think we were something!
I attended Joslin, Porter, Travis, and graduated from Crockett.
I hope to attend 60th anniversary on Friday.
David Sellstrom
To the faculty and staff at Joslin Elementary School,
A little over 6 years ago, my wife and I were looking to enroll our daughter in Kindergarten. Our initial interactions with our neighborhood school left us with serious concerns, and led us to believe our best option was to pursue a transfer to a different campus. We did not know much about Joslin, but its proximity to family and its test performance made it look like a good fit for what we were looking for. We reached out to the administrative staff and were instantly impressed with the warmth of the reception we received. We were invited in that very day for a quick tour of the campus, and were able to meet with the current principal who provided us with crucial guidance on what to expect from the transfer process.
As I look back now, I can not imagine a better environment for Hannah to have begun her academic journey. I have watched her blossom in knowledge and confidence as she progressed from the first timid days for Kindergarten up through 3rd grade science projects, and middle school application essays. Every teacher, counselor, classroom aide, and staff member we have encountered has invested in her education and in preparing her for to achieve her full potential. You have not just taught her reading, math and science facts. You have modeled for her compassion, integrity and a love of learning. You have provided a solid foundation for her which I know will continue to serve her throughout the rest of her academic career and into adulthood.
In closing, words seem somehow inadequate to express how truly thankful my wife and I are to each and every one of you. Joslin truly has a family atmosphere and it is a credit to your hard work, dedication and the love that you show each of your students. I am thankful for the journey so far and happy that my son, Cayden, will get to experience these same qualities for the next 3 years as well. Have a great summer and get some rest as you really do deserve it.
Sincerely,
Stephen McIntyre (Hannah and Cayden's dad)
A little over 6 years ago, my wife and I were looking to enroll our daughter in Kindergarten. Our initial interactions with our neighborhood school left us with serious concerns, and led us to believe our best option was to pursue a transfer to a different campus. We did not know much about Joslin, but its proximity to family and its test performance made it look like a good fit for what we were looking for. We reached out to the administrative staff and were instantly impressed with the warmth of the reception we received. We were invited in that very day for a quick tour of the campus, and were able to meet with the current principal who provided us with crucial guidance on what to expect from the transfer process.
As I look back now, I can not imagine a better environment for Hannah to have begun her academic journey. I have watched her blossom in knowledge and confidence as she progressed from the first timid days for Kindergarten up through 3rd grade science projects, and middle school application essays. Every teacher, counselor, classroom aide, and staff member we have encountered has invested in her education and in preparing her for to achieve her full potential. You have not just taught her reading, math and science facts. You have modeled for her compassion, integrity and a love of learning. You have provided a solid foundation for her which I know will continue to serve her throughout the rest of her academic career and into adulthood.
In closing, words seem somehow inadequate to express how truly thankful my wife and I are to each and every one of you. Joslin truly has a family atmosphere and it is a credit to your hard work, dedication and the love that you show each of your students. I am thankful for the journey so far and happy that my son, Cayden, will get to experience these same qualities for the next 3 years as well. Have a great summer and get some rest as you really do deserve it.
Sincerely,
Stephen McIntyre (Hannah and Cayden's dad)
Great event. And your school is awesome! Love the plan and the 'outdoor' hallways. So cool! Boy, I would love to be a kid at your school. My school was similar to prison, no talking, no having fun - if you dared, no lunch for you. I loved to see the respect between the staff and students!
Harmony Grogan, Career Day Presenter
Harmony Grogan, Career Day Presenter
When my family came to Joslin three years ago, I had a 3rd grader, a 2nd grader and Kindergartner. My kids' teachers caught their reading problems right off the bat and got them the interventions they needed. Three years later all my kids are reading on/above level because of our first set of AMAZING teachers.
There is open communication with the teachers, the principal, the assistant principal and the counselor. The PTA and CAC are strong and growing! I love knowing what is going on at Joslin with testing, the budget and the school district.
The library is warm and inviting! Even parents are allowed to check out books!
The administration is very approachable, friendly and they are very in touch with the students. And the principal, AP, librarian, reading specialist, and counselor made the COOLEST video for the students for STAAR testing!
But my favorite part of the week is dancing Wednesday at morning assembly! I love dancing to the Cotton Eye Joe, The Cupid Shuffle, The Monster Mash and all the FUN dances every week with my children! My oldest is going to 6th grade next year, and I am grateful that Joslin has prepared her for her next steps!
JOSLIN ELEMENTARY IS THE COOL SCHOOL IN SOUTH AUSTIN!!
Christina Erickson, Parent
There is open communication with the teachers, the principal, the assistant principal and the counselor. The PTA and CAC are strong and growing! I love knowing what is going on at Joslin with testing, the budget and the school district.
The library is warm and inviting! Even parents are allowed to check out books!
The administration is very approachable, friendly and they are very in touch with the students. And the principal, AP, librarian, reading specialist, and counselor made the COOLEST video for the students for STAAR testing!
But my favorite part of the week is dancing Wednesday at morning assembly! I love dancing to the Cotton Eye Joe, The Cupid Shuffle, The Monster Mash and all the FUN dances every week with my children! My oldest is going to 6th grade next year, and I am grateful that Joslin has prepared her for her next steps!
JOSLIN ELEMENTARY IS THE COOL SCHOOL IN SOUTH AUSTIN!!
Christina Erickson, Parent
When I first moved back to Texas 2+ years ago, I was focused on getting my children into a great school. We were moving from an excellent school system, and my standards were high. When I studied Austin schools on the national rating site greatschools.org, I knew that my children had to go to Joslin. Joslin scored high in all areas including testing, staff unity and community ratings. I told my sister that no matter how far I had to drive, my children were going to Joslin! Two years + later, I have been thoroughly pleased at Joslin Elementary! My children are challenged in the classroom, encouraged by the teaching, praised for hard work and nurtured by an outstanding staff. I love the Joslin Jaguars!
P.S. Don't get me started on morning assembly...absolutely the BEST school assembly ever! Come and visit us at 7:30 a.m. and see for yourself that Joslin has a great way for students to begin a school day!
Kayse Johnson, Parent
P.S. Don't get me started on morning assembly...absolutely the BEST school assembly ever! Come and visit us at 7:30 a.m. and see for yourself that Joslin has a great way for students to begin a school day!
Kayse Johnson, Parent
I enjoyed visiting a couple of years ago with my children and my brothers kids. We are all looking forward to the anniversary celebration and I would love for you to let us know so that we can all be there.
I have left working in the prison system and moved up to working in county jail as a state certified county jailer. Maybe someday I will consider being a policeman like my grandfather, father, and all my uncles.
Have a Wonderful Year,
Latisha Joslin
I have left working in the prison system and moved up to working in county jail as a state certified county jailer. Maybe someday I will consider being a policeman like my grandfather, father, and all my uncles.
Have a Wonderful Year,
Latisha Joslin
