Meet Coach Carter (P.E./AVID)
Hello Blue Jays,
I’m Coach Carter and I teach 6th grade Physical Education and Weight Training. This is my 8th year at Blazier and my 9th year teaching! I also coach volleyball after school at Bedichek Middle School! I am a Texas State alum with a degree in Exercise & Sports Science and a minor in History!
I was born and raised in Austin and I’m a proud product of AISD! In my spare time, you will find me reading, playing a variety of sports or spending time with my family!
Favorite Things:
Color: Orange
Food: Mexican & Italian
Snacks: Hot Chips and Snickers
Drinks: Blue Powerade
Store: Target & Ulta
Contact Information: Phone - (512)-414-0170 Email: amber.carter@austinisd.org
Meet Mr. Hien (P.E.)
Hello Blue Jays!
I teach both PE and Dance, and this will be my 6th year at Blazier! I received my Bachelor in Kinesiology from UTSA, and I earned my Masters in Education from UT.
My favorite sports are beach volleyball, archery, and dancing. I love traveling back to Vietnam to see my family and childhood friends! When I am free, I enjoy going to the movie theater, working out at the gym, and shopping at H-E-B on the weekends. You will still find me out dancing competitively year-round, and I look forward to seeing my students out enjoying dance whenever they can.
Meet Coach Patlan (P.E.)
Hi Blue Jays!
I am Coach Patlan! I am at my 3rd year at Blazier Intermedate and teach 3rd-5th PE and teach 6th grade soccer as an elective! I was born and raised in College Station, and moved to San Marcos to pursue my undergraduate at Texas State. I graduated in 2020 with a Bacheror’s in Exercise and Sports Science. I am proud to say I am a first generation college graduate!
I love everything sports. I currently play for a coed soccer team on the weekends. If i am not playing soccer, I’m probably watching my Bobcats in various sporting events or my Cowboys (in our super bowl era). The San Marcos river is my favorite place to relax and cool off at during these hot Texas summers!
Meet Coach Mitchell (P.E.)
Hello Blue Jays!
I teach both PE and Track, and this will be my 3rd year at Blazier! I received my bachelor’s in social sciences from Florida State University, and I earned 2 master’s degrees in Sport Administration along with Business Administration from Northcentral University and Grantham University.
I am a father and husband of 14 years of 4 beautiful kids, Mahari (12), Aviana (9), Mace (6) and Avaya who is 9 months old. I was a former 2012 Olympic Sprinter ranked #9 fastest in the world. I was also a former NCAA National Champion winning 3 titles while attending Florida State. I love sports, going to movies, and hanging out with my family.
Meet Ms. Gandarilla (Music)
I am a University of Texas at El Paso graduate! I was a Music Education major with a concentration in Vocal Performance.
I love to travel, and have been able to be part of choirs all around the world. I started working with kids when I was 14 as a music camp counselor and have loved it ever since!
Meet Mr. Valdez (Music)
Joshua Valdez grew up in South Texas and graduated from Sharyland High School.
He got his bachelors degree at Texas State University in 2019 for music education - instrumental focus. In his free time he loves to write music for his family and practice martial arts. He has four cats and one 16 year old dog that he and his wife adore.
Meet Mr. Baird (Band)
Joseph Baird is in his 22nd year of teaching and his 16th year of teaching in Austin ISD. Mr. Baird is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his B.M. In Education.
He is married to Christina Baird, a fellow music educator who is a Choral Director at Clint Small Middle School. Their children are Jacob and Zoe, both graduates of Blazier Elementary School and now a senior and a sophomore at Austin High School.
Mr. Baird has taught Orchestra, Mariachi and Band in AISD. This is his fourth year at Blazier Intermediate, where he is the Band and Orchestra director.
Meet Ms. Clarke (Art)
Hello! My name is Debra Clarke and I have been drawn to drawing from the moment I could hold a pen. Being the very introverted youngest of 5 sisters, Art has always been a huge part of my life. I strongly believe that Art has the ability to unlock parts of the brain that help us process things that words and numbers just cannot, as well as increase problem solving abilities and improve fine motor skills. My why of being an Art Teacher for the last 20 years is to share those gifts with my students. I am excited to be a part of your child’s journey of growing their ingenuity and watching as they surprise themselves with the amazing fruits of their imaginations.
A proud Pioneer, I graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX. My hobbies include culinary arts, jogging or walking, yoga, being in nature, reading, crossword puzzles, relaxing at home or traveling whenever I can.
Favorites:
Color – Sage (or most variations of green)
Snacks – Mixed nuts, chips & dips
Drinks – Coffee or Tea
Sports Team – Houston Texans, Aggies
Meet Ms. Clark (Art)
I am originally from Bradenton, Florida but moved to Austin in 2016. I graduated from the University of South Floria in 2013 with a bachelor's in fine art but started working in bakeries when I was finished because baking was a passion of mine.
After ten years of learning the ins and outs of baking, managing a business, and training new hires, I realized that I truly loved the teaching aspect of my job. I made the decision to change careers and attended the University of Texas to learn more about education.
In my down time, I enjoy taking care of my extensive plant collection, reading, going to the movies, and exercising.