Dekaney High School senior Nafi Diop registers her surprise when she learns she has been selected to receive a scholarship in addition to signing a letter of intent to become a future educator with Spring ISD.

HOUSTON – May 5, 2017 – Spring Independent School District recently recognized 39 graduating seniors during an official signing ceremony. The students, who have completed the education pathway and participated in the Texas Association of Future Educators during their high school career, each signed a letter of intent to return to the district to teach after graduating from college with an education degree.

When school starts each August, the district welcomes a number of alumni to its ranks, which emphasizes the ongoing Spring ISD tradition of nurturing students as future educators within the district.

“This event is special because it shows our students that we not only believe in them today but also believe in their future,” said Dr. Tameka Bruce, Spring ISD human capital and accountability officer. “This is an effort to reach out to our students who are interested in education and allow them preferential treatment in the selection process so they can come back home and positively impact the next generation. When our students graduate and continue their journeys beyond Spring, we are confident that they will successfully complete school, and it would be an honor for them to give back to the district that they call home. We are building a legacy in Spring, and it can only happen through the involvement and support of our students.”

Guest speaker Bryan C. Wilson spoke to the students about his journey as an educator within the district. A third-generation educator with teaching in his blood, Wilson’s passion led him to the classroom where he became a star teacher. He was named 2016 Teacher of the Year at Claughton Middle School and one of five finalists for the district’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Currently, he is leading the agriculture and hospitality academy at Dekaney High School.

“As a teacher, it is our job to get students out of their boxes, whether that box is a mental, emotional, or even a physical box, so they can reach their pinnacle of success,” said Wilson.

The education career pathway was introduced at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School when it opened in 2006. Over the last five years, the district has expanded the pathway to Dekaney, Spring and Westfield high schools as well, allowing more students to be exposed to education as a career option beginning in the ninth grade.

While in the program, students are prepared for roles related to planning, managing and providing education training services. They are exposed to classroom leadership, some pedagogy and, through a relationship with Junior Achievement, are given the opportunity to actually intern as a classroom teacher at several Spring ISD elementary and middle schools.

The program provided guidance for Michelle Lee, a Westfield senior who has desired to be a teacher since the age of five and plans to attend Lone Star College. “I always knew it meant a lot to be a teacher. Changing a student’s life is important.”

Following are names of seniors who were offered letters of intent and the colleges where they plan to attend.

Dekaney High School – Kaitlyn Adams, University of Texas San Antonio; Diana Castro, Lone Star College; Nafi Diop, Lone Star College; Cynthia Discua Montoya, Lone Star College; Amari Lee, Prairie View A&M University; Alexandra Moran, Lone Star College; and Kiara Pinson, University of Texas San Antonio.

Spring High School – Kyle Amoroso, Lone Star College; Francisco Franco, Lone Star College; Alexis Guadiana, Lone Star College, Derrick Jackson, Stephen F. Austin University; Lizeth Morales, Lone Star College; Felix Ogbor, Delaware Valley University; Juliana Ramirez, Lone Star College; Amber Schneider, Lone Star College; Savon Shelley, Prairie View A&M University; and Demarcus Spencer, Houston Baptist University.

Westfield High School – Michelle Lee, Lone Star College; Samantha Lu, Lone Star College; Leiny Calderon, Lone Star College; Gabriela Mateos, Lone Star College; Karla Orellana, Lone Star College; Jordan Marie Mount, Blinn College; Daniel Young, University of Texas; Jennifer Alvarenga, Sam Houston State University; and Emily Haydee Giron, Lone Star College.

Carl Wunsche Sr. High School – Jordan Blaha, Sam Houston State University; Breanna Conner, University of Houston Downtown; Ryane Loville, Prairie View A&M University; Elijah O’Neill, undecided; Janely Rangel, Texas A&M University; Brianna Saenz, University of North Texas; Paige Valentine, Texas State University; and Nakarah Williams, Texas State University.