With an impressive turnout of over 200 participants – including teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, administrators and school leaders – Carl Wunsche Sr. High School buzzed with excitement on Saturday morning during the Annual Spring Learning Fair, presented by the Spring ISD Professional Learning Department.
The Spring ISD Learning Fair united educators from across the district for a day of collaborative exchange, growth, inspiration, and mutual learning, and offered a diverse array of sessions to cater to every educator’s professional development needs.
The morning kicked off with a full breakfast, skillfully prepared and served by Wunsche High School Culinary, setting the stage for an invigorating welcome by the district’s Super Proud Superintendent, Dr. Lupita Hinojosa.
“On this beautiful sunny day,” she said, “your presence here, ready to learn and grow, is a testament to your unwavering commitment to our students and our community. Thank you.”
Dr. Hinojosa also took the opportunity to spotlight some outstanding student achievements, including Winship Elementary fourth-grader Abigail John, a published author, and Dekaney High School senior Christian Nwosu, who earned a scholarship to Harvard University. These examples served as powerful reminders of the profound impact educators have on shaping the lives of their students.
As the day progressed, the energy remained high. Attendees were presented with an array of 55 sessions, each aimed at refining their professional practices. These sessions were facilitated by esteemed leaders as well as partners like Rice University, Carnegie, Eureka, Canva, UnTapped Genius, Amplify, and more.
Covering topics ranging from blended learning and collaborative teaching to differentiation for gifted and talented students, STAAR strategies, and effective approaches for bilingual classrooms, everyone had a choice in their quest for knowledge and skill enhancement.
Julia Roman, a 6th-grade teacher from Bailey Middle School, left the sessions with a full smile, sharing her experience.
“It was such a productive day,” Roman said. “My favorite session was data analysis and how to do small groups. It went really well, helping me identify which kids need this setting to encourage them to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another.”
At the conclusion of the event, there was a raffle awarding seven $25 gift cards to the following lucky winners: Sandra Ardon from Ponderosa Elementary, Marlene Enciso from Booker Elementary, Rene Ramon from Smith Elementary, Bridgett Dotson from Wunsche High School, Cherie O’Dell from Momentum High School, Connie Goins from Central Office, and Beatrice Tristan from Marshall Elementary.
The Office of Professional Learning extends its gratitude to all participants and departments for their collaboration, including Advanced Academics, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Services, Special Services, Guidance & Counseling, Instructional Technology, Multilingual and the Communications Department.