PISD dedicates 4th middle school campus

Princeton ISD dedicated the first of two schools that opened to students this fall during a special ceremony honoring its namesake,
Tom Banschbach.

This marks the fourth middle school campus for the district, which now has a total of 17 schools.

The founding principal of Banschbach Middle School, Erica Haggard, greeted the dedication's guests, including the longtime math teacher's co-workers, as well as generations of former students.

According to Mrs. Haggard, the middle school building honors Mr. Banschbach, whose life and 40-year teaching career closely mirrors the values adopted by the Banschbach Jaguars - Honor, Unity, Nobility and Tenacity, and his passion for people has built confidence in the thousands of students who entered his classroom.
 

“When I asked what made him most proud, he talked about his students - not just those who went on to accomplish great things, but those who struggled and learned they could persevere through something difficult,” she said. "In his words, 'you don't have to have the answer right away, you just have to be willing to keep working toward it,' and for 40 years, Mr. Banschbach taught mathematics, but it is clear that his legacy is about much more than math.”

No one understands that more than Harper counselor Amanda McIntire, who spoke at the dedication ceremony, not only as his daughter, but as a former student.

"Dad was the only advanced math teacher, which meant Dad and Mr. B eventually became the same person," she said. "There was no hiding in the back of the room or pretending you forgot your homework, because he saw it on the kitchen table, and then he would call me out in class all in the name of teaching responsibility."

She emphasized there was definitely no special treatment for being Mr. B's kid, which Mrs. McIntire said she can now fully appreciate.

"In 1978, nearly 50 years ago, my Dad chose Princeton ISD," said Mrs. McIntire, who has a child attending Southard, another at Lovelady, as well as a recent PHS grad. "It's incredible to think that one decision Dad made helped shape the lives of three generations of our family. So when I see the name Tom Banschbach Middle School, I don't just see my dad's name on a building. I see his lifetime of dedication, service and care for others."

The lineup of speakers also included two gentlemen, a lifelong friend, Robert Burgess, and 21-year co-worker, Jimmy Smith, who both lightened Sunday's festivities with a little roasting of their longtime friend.

"Recalling a pivotal moment in Tom's life in the summer of 1978, I got word that the Princeton High School gym was open, and we went to play a little pick-up ball," Mr. Burgess said. "Coach Jackie Hendricks was there and mentioned he was looking for a math teacher. So Tom had his interview in the coach's office dressed in shorts and sweating from basketball. Coach Hendricks was desperate and hired him right there. So Tom's job and his 39-year career at Princeton was because of me, and I take some joy in the fact his students have me to thank for having to write the name, Banschbach, at the top of their papers all those years."

Mr. Banschbach taught all levels of secondary math during his 40-year career until his retirement in 2018.
 

One former co-worker, Bob Lovelady, said he and Mr. Banschbach arrived at Princeton High School the same year when he became the assistant principal and Mr. B moved up from the middle school to teach high school.

"I had attended an intense week-long training at Region 10 learning how to evaluate teachers, but I quickly learned more watching Mr. B. in his classroom because he was a teacher who cared about people and knew they mattered more than anything else."

As a new administrator, Mr. Lovelady said he needed a mentor, and Mr. B quickly became that for him.

"One thing was certain, I knew we needed to fill the school with teachers like Mr. B," he said.

Following Mr. Banschbach's advice, there was a shift in the PHS curriculum, which was previously filled with lower-level math courses.

"Tom told me we needed to quit acting like kids can't learn math," Mr. Lovelady said. "He believed in them, and he was an incredible teacher. His legacy reflects his character of showing up and not just believing students could succeed, but rolling up his sleeves and doing whatever it took to help them succeed. He knew his students, he loved his students, and he served his students."