Proud families and school staff gathered on April 17 inside Spring ISD’s Randall Reed Community Center at Planet Ford Stadium to celebrate the district’s ninth annual Future Educators Signing Day. The event honored 22 seniors from across Spring ISD high schools who have completed the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) education pathway. 

As the ceremony unfolded, tables adorned with school logos and Spring ISD folders awaited each senior. Inside the folders was a letter of intent—an official pledge from the district to offer a teaching position upon their college graduation. This symbolic gesture emphasized the district’s investment in its future educators and their bright potential. 

Since the education pathway’s inception in 2006 at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, it has expanded to include Dekaney, Spring, and Westfield high schools, giving students early exposure to teaching through coursework, field experience, and district-supported internships in local classrooms.

School Board Vice President Natasha McDaniel welcomed attendees with heartfelt remarks, highlighting the significance of the students’ commitment and the district’s ongoing investment in future educators.

“The decision to become teachers is not a small decision,” McDaniel said. “They are making the decision to go into a profession that changes lives.”

Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa also took the stage to offer words of encouragement. As a former bilingual teacher and longtime educator herself, her message carried a personal touch. She shared reflections on her early days in the classroom and spoke directly to the students about the calling they’ve chosen to follow.

“We are incredibly proud of these students for answering the call to serve,” said Hinojosa. “They understand our community and represent the future of our classrooms. Students need to see themselves in their teachers, and representation matters. By offering letters of intent, we’re showing our commitment—we believe in them, and we want them to come back and teach right here in Spring ISD.  

The program continued with a keynote address that brought both energy and inspiration to the room. Akayla Joseph – Spring ISD’s 2024 Elementary teacher of the year and proud Winship educator delivered the featured speech, sharing insights on the power of education and the journey she has gone through.

“I like to say, I didn’t choose teaching – teaching chose me,” Joseph said. “I became a teacher to become the teacher I always needed but never had.” 

During the speech, Joseph shared a powerful anecdote from her time as a second-grade teacher—one that brought the room to a thoughtful silence. She recalled a moment when she brought a small box of plain toothbrushes to class, expecting little interest from her students. But to her surprise, every child eagerly raised a hand to get one. When she asked again to raise their hand only if they truly needed one, the result was the same. 

Joseph realized that what followed were honest, heart-wrenching confessions—some had never owned a toothbrush, others shared one with a sibling, or hadn’t had a new one in years.

“I wish I could put into words the emotions I felt in that moment,” Joseph said. “This made me realize my ‘why’.” 

The experience became a turning point in her journey as an educator, a reminder of the unseen needs students carry and the importance of asking the right questions to truly understand and support them.

Along with their letters of intent, three Westfield High School students received scholarships funded by generous donations from district leaders. CTE Advisory Board member and retired Spring ISD principal Sherry Dunlap presented the award to Sarai Ventura Barahona. Diana Rubio received her scholarship from Dr. Matt Pariseau, the district’s Chief of Innovation and Student Success. Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa awarded the third scholarship to Kelvin Jimenez.

As the ceremony came to a close, the students looked at their letters and one by one, signing them as their families, teachers, and campus leaders cheered them on. Some plan to pursue early childhood education, others are eyeing careers in math, science, or bilingual instruction. All of them, however, are rooted in a shared purpose—changing student lives for the better.

The seniors who took part in the ceremony, by home campus, include:

Dekaney High School

• Niyah Bryant – United States Army
• Tilson Hernandez Berrios – Texas A&M University
• Davontae’ Hulbert – Lone Star College
• Davianna Key – Lone Star College
• Yeferson Lopez Cortez – University of Houston
• Sofia Mendoza – Lone Star College
• Seng Pan – Houston Christian University
• Joselin Rivera – Lone Star College
• Maigan Robinson – Lone Star College
• Sara Salmeron – Lone Star College
• Dayanara Sanchez – Lone Star College
• Jovaughn Smith – Lone Star College

Spring High School

• Andres Bermudez – Lone Star College
• Ayanna Brown – Lone Star College
• Rysheek Cobb – Lone Star College
• Abigail Pompa – Lone Star College

Westfield High School

• Cesia Dias – Lone Star College
• Camryn Ferguson – University of Houston
• Madison Herndon – Sam Houston State University
• Kelvin Jimenez – Lone Star College
• Diana Rubio – Texas A&M University
• Sarai Ventura Barahona – Lone Star College