When Elizabeth Swanson, a research professor with the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk in the College of Education, thinks about her research, she sometimes travels back in time to a resource room at Andrews Elementary School in Austin in the late 1990s. There she taught first through fifth graders… read more
1946 – 2026 Dr. Edwin Sharpe, often called the “godfather” of UT Elementary School, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026. In more than six decades tied to the University of Texas, Sharpe filled almost every role the institution has to offer—undergraduate, graduate student, professor, vice president, and vice chancellor.… read more
More than 100 friends and family members turned out for UT Elementary School’s annual Advancement Ceremony to celebrate the school’s fifth-grade students’ transition to middle school. Fifth-grade teachers Michelle Grona and Nicole Hershey shared highlights from the year, including memorable moments from Outdoor School, a misplaced phone and the class’s… read more
UT Elementary is more than a Pre-K – 5 school, it is a crucial training ground for future teachers, social workers, and more. This year, UT Elementary welcomed Daniela Mora, a UT Austin student who completed her Nursing Capstone under the guidance of School Nurse Rachel Ibarra. Daniela left with… read more
As a child, Mariah Garza remembers crawling under classroom decks to pick up trash on Beautification Day, tending school gardens, and learning to play string instruments and the accordion at UT Elementary. Years later, she’s back—this time on the other side of the classroom. When it came time to apply… read more
A mentor partnership between the Texas Cowboys and UT Elementary School is connecting college students with the next generation of Longhorns and developing leaders at every level. Every Friday afternoon, the energy at UT Elementary School shifts. Fourth and fifth graders rush toward the playground, eyes scanning for their… read more
Every March, UT Elementary comes alive with imagination and laughter as we celebrate Dr. Seuss / Read Across America Day, a beloved school tradition that brings students, stories, and our community, together. In honor of the day, we welcome UT Elementary board members, supporters, and community partners into classrooms to… read more
Each year, UT Elementary School strengthens its commitment to whole‑child support through longstanding partnerships with the UT School of Social Work and several other Texas universities, including Texas State University and East Texas A&M. This year, Social Work Coordinator Andrea Menchaca, LMSW, is supervising five Master of Social Work (MSW)… read more
UT Charter School System recently introduced the Whole Child Champion Award to celebrate educators who embody trauma‑informed practices and create learning environments where every student feels safe, valued, and supported. The award was initiated by School Social Work Coordinator Andrea Menchaca, LMSW, who saw a need to honor teachers who… read more
STEAM teacher Mr. Kameron Koeffler transformed the UT Elementary gym into a bustling hub of discovery as fourth and fifth grade Little Longhorns presented their 2026 Science Fair projects after weeks of hands‑on investigation, critical thinking, and creativity. “The Science Fair is a cornerstone of curiosity and critical thinking. Students… read more
