HOUSTON – March 26, 2019 – The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce honored 18 Spring ISD educators on Tuesday at its annual Teacher of the Year luncheon sponsored by Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union and Rhodes School for the Performing Arts.
“We’re thankful to the Chamber for their support of our teachers and for celebrating the hard work they do day in and day out in the classroom,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson. “This is a fantastic event that really provides an opportunity to recognize our talented educators.”
The lunch gathering not only drew dozens of honorees from public and private schools on the east side of Interstate 45 in the Humble and Spring areas but business and community partners as well, along with area elected officials including Spring ISD Trustees Rhonda Newhouse and Jana Gonzales.
The keynote address was provided by Marquita Johnson, a student in the dental hygiene program at Lone Star College-Kingwood. She credited all of the teachers in the room for providing the inspiration for students to overcome challenges and be successful. The single mother is on track to graduate in May.
“Because of you,” she said, “I can stand here and say I beat the odds.”
Tuesday’s event also offered a sneak peek at some of this year’s Teacher of the Year selections from Spring ISD campuses. The full roster will be announced next week.
Booker Elementary Principal Keisha Womack turned out for the luncheon with her campus Teacher of Year, Jennifer Walker, whom she described as hardworking and dedicated.
“She’s extremely passionate about students and just teaching the whole child, as well as doing her Booker best,” said Womack. “She just brings it every day in the classroom. She’s engaging, hands-on, and I love her style of teaching.”
Walker said she was surprised to be selected and said she was gratified to be recognized at Tuesday’s event. “I feel very honored being among other professionals who have stuck to it and given it their almighty best,” she said. For her part, she said that being a teacher is rewarding because she feels invested in her students’ success.
Newhouse, who currently serves as Spring ISD board president, acknowledged the challenge every year of just picking one campus Teacher of the Year, especially among so many talented educators. “We’re so very proud of our winners today,” she said.
Tamiko Stewart, Northgate Crossing Elementary Teacher of the Year, won twice on Tuesday. Not only was she recognized among her peers, but she also won the drawing at the conclusion of the event for an iPad.
Northgate Crossing Elementary Principal Kristi Brown said the prize was perfect for a teacher who is already comfortable using technology in the classroom and engaging students in interesting academic discussions.
“She’s so dedicated to her students, to her craft as teacher and to Spring ISD,” Brown said. “She can always be counted on doing her very best no matter what I ask her to do.”
Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Teachers of the Year
- Dekaney High School – Kandra Gunter
- Spring High School – Albert Brooks
- Carl Wunsche Sr. High School – Raedawn Jiles
- Bailey Middle School – Renee McNeely
- Dueitt Middle School – Michael Eatmon
- Twin Creeks Middle School – Eboni Jenerette
- Anderson Elementary School – Cheryl Wilson
- Booker Elementary School – Jennifer Walker
- Burchett Elementary School – Kimberly Lewis
- Cooper Elementary School – Sarah Sanford
- Hirsch Elementary School – Aracely Ramirez
- Jenkins Elementary School – Patricia Rivera
- Marshall Elementary School – Michelle Pavlik
- McNabb Elementary – Shatoya White
- Northgate Crossing Elementary School – Tamiko Stewart
- Salyers Elementary School – Nils Taft
- Smith Elementary School – Dorris Pauley
- Winship Elementary School – Rachel Castillo