The schools were named for Peggy Carnahan, a master science teacher; Nora Forester, a pioneering reading specialist; and Evelyn Scarborough, an advocate for special education students. All three women are former Northside teachers who remain active in the NISD community.
- Peggy Carnahan Elementary School, 6838 Babcock Road, is named for a woman who has devoted her career to the teaching of science and the teaching of science teachers. A former science teacher at Jay High School and secondary science supervisor for the District, Carnahan served Northside for more than 20 years. Her contributions to the District continue today, through her work at Our Lady of the Lake University, where, as the director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education, she helps science teachers obtain tuition-free master’s degrees. Carnahan has received numerous teaching awards and is recognized across the state and the nation as an innovative leader of science education. (This school is formerly known as the “Babcock South area” elementary school.)
- Nora Forester Elementary School, 10726 Rousseau, is named for Northside’s first remedial reading teacher, who was committed to making sure every student in the District learned to read, no matter their challenges. In the 1960s, Forester secured a federal grant to put a reading specialist in every school, making Northside one of the first districts in the nation to do so. She later became the District’s director of elementary reading and language arts and implemented a number of innovative programs, including Reading Recovery and Young Authors Program. Now retired after 37 years in education, she continues her contributions to Northside working with retired teachers and the Northside School Museum Association. (This school is formerly known as the “Potranco South area” elementary school.
- Evelyn Scarborough Elementary School is named for a tireless advocate for special education students who spent more than 40 years in education. At Northside, she worked as a counselor and special education teacher and coordinator. She helped implement numerous services for special education students and their parents, including On Job Training and the Early Childhood Collaboration. Now retired, she continues her devotion to the community, remaining an active volunteer in the Leon Valley community and schools. Scarborough Elementary will be built in the new Stillwater Ranch subdivision north of FM 471 and west of FM 1560. (This school is formerly known as the “FM 471 area #1” elementary school.)
Board policy states elementary schools may be named after individuals who have made significant educational contributions to the District or community.