Hundreds of Spring ISD employees celebrated another year of hard work and student success at the elegant Hilton North Houston on May 9 during the district’s annual Employee Recognition Banquet. The banquet marked the close of another successful school year with awards for outstanding teachers, principals, staff, and retirees, as well as recognitions for new teachers and employees reaching service milestones.
Guests were welcomed by Matt Horn, FOX26 Executive Producer, and a pre-ceremony performance from the Spring High School Jazz Band.
“Tonight, we are honoring so many incredible milestones,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa to the audience. “Our district has a strong legacy of excellence, and tonight proves that tradition is alive and well.”
“We are celebrating retirees, teachers, and principals,” said Hinojosa, “And tonight is just one small way of saying thank you for all the early mornings, late nights, innovative ideas, and endless heart you pour into our schools.”
Spring ISD Board of Trustees President Justine Durant addressed the audience with words of gratitude to all in attendance.
“Behind every shining student success story is a team of dedicated educators and staff members,” said Durant. “Every person in this room plays a part in their stories of success happening across the district.”
Durant also presented the Board of Trustees Employee Excellence Award and a $1,000 check to Mr. Johnny Williams, a Performing and Visual Arts Coordinator of Arts Integration, who was recognized for his unwavering leadership and commitment to excellence.
This award is designed to allow anyone to nominate employees who have brought the Spring ISD mission to life, and it is funded by the Spring ISD Education Foundation.
As the evening continued, retirees from 20 to 40 years of service were the first to be recognized, with all recipients receiving a beautiful clock to commemorate their service to the students of Spring ISD. In a surprise moment, Dr. Hinojosa was also recognized, as she prepares to retire in June after 37 years in education.
“Standing with us on stage is a leader whose commitment to education has spanned decades, and whose impact on Spring ISD will be felt for generations to come,” said Spring ISD Chief of Innovation Dr. Matthew Pariseau, stating how Hinojosa would be leaving behind both a legacy of excellence and a deep imprint on Spring ISD’s story.
“Dr. Hinojosa, thank you—for your courage, your compassion, and your unwavering belief in every student, every staff member, and every school,” said Pariseau.
After the bittersweet moment, the excitement continued as Dr. Terrell King, Chief of Human Resources Services, announced the district’s Rookie Teachers of the Year, Paraprofessionals of the Year, Guest Employees of the Year, and Interim/DOI Aspiring Teachers of the Year.
“The future of education is bright—and it shines through the dedication and enthusiasm of those preparing to become classroom teachers right here in Spring ISD,” said King. “Our Aspiring Teachers of the Year have shown extraordinary promise, commitment, and passion as they take the first steps toward careers in education.”
Following his remarks, Dr. Kregg Cuellar, Chief of Academics and School Leadership, presented the Principal of the Year awards. Sarahdia Johnson of Hoyland Elementary School and Dr. Alfred James of Carl Wunsche Sr. High School were recognized as the 2024–2025 Principals of the Year, highlighting their exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication.
The highlight of the evening came when Casey Archield, a third-grade math teacher at Reynolds Elementary School, was announced as 2024-25 Spring ISD Teacher of the Year and the grand prize recipient of a brand-new Ford Escape, courtesy of Planet Ford.
“I couldn’t believe it”, said Archield after receiving the keys to the car. “It’s such a blessing. I’m truly honored and grateful beyond words.”
She also expressed appreciation to her family, her colleagues, and her students for the support as she reminded everyone of her mantra, “be positive on purpose.”
In addition, Planet Ford awarded 10th-year veteran Spring High School math teacher Navid Hayeriat with a $2,500 Visa gift card prize.
Shawn Burns, General Manager at Randall Reed Planet Ford, presented the evening’s top awards and reflected on the company’s long-standing partnership with Spring ISD. For almost 15 years, Spring ISD has partnered with Planet Ford, who has given away $24,000 and a total of 12 grand prize vehicles.
“This marks the 12th car we’ve awarded to a deserving teacher from Spring ISD,” said Burns. “Every year, I’m reminded how vital educators are. Great teachers, great people here, so wonderful, I wish we could give a car to every one of you!”
Recognitions presented were as follows:
Retirees
- Darlene Abuelaileh – Transportation
- Cynthia Adams – Planning & Construction
- Belquiz Akin – Cooper ES
- Thomas Andrew – Maintenance
- Bertha Benoit – Hoyland ES
- Kimberley Booker – Bailey MS
- James Branch – Maintenance
- Trena Butler – Spring HS 9th Grade Center
- Maria Castaneda-Hughes – Salyers ES
- CNE Dawkins – Meyer ES
- Jeanne Denham – Special Education
- Kelly Deyo – Wunsche HS
- Tania Dixon – Westfield HS
- Shelly Fine – Jenkins ES
- Geneva Floyd – Heritage ES
- Scott Gantz – Burchett ES
- Belinda Gately – Spring HS
- Jennifer Gibson – Building Operations
- John Gordon – Transportation
- Charlotte Hatley – Ponderosa ES
- Retina Hooks – Anderson ES
- Hema Hussain – Thompson ES
- Rosemary Imbert – Westfield HS
- Hosea Jackson – Claughton MS
- Catherine Johnston – McNabb ES
- Renee Jones – Salyers ES
- Patricia Keels-Blackmon – Transportation
- Nan Kiesewetter – Hoyland ES
- Lilia Lagman – Thompson ES
- Hector Manon – Maintenance
- Sherrie Mason – Wunsche HS
- Maria Matos – Marshall ES
- Madeline McDonald – Maintenance
- Stephen Meekins – Westfield HS
- Reginald Mitchell – Bailey MS
- Marilyn Ocker – Spring HS
- Monica Padilla – Booker ES
- Lisa Patenotte – Heritage ES
- Jon Peters – Acad & School Leadership
- Alma Perez – Special Education
- Edward Price – Wunsche HS
- Maricel Rodriguez – Booker ES
- Gloriselma Rodriguez – Heritage ES
- Rosa Sanchez – Child Nutrition
- Eduardo Sanchez Martinez – Clark ES
- Jorge Santos – Reynolds ES
- Mary Schroeder – Special Education
- Elvia Seecharan – Cooper ES
- Michele Shampoe – Human Resources
- Edwin Sidel – Burchett ES
- Erlinda Suastegui Vargas – Child Nutrition
- Georgina Torres – Child Nutrition
- Eleonora Toro – Burchett ES
- Quang Tran – Building Operations
- Jantje Van Adrichem – Transportation
- Hilda Velasquez – Building Operations
- Maria Villarreal – Hoyland ES
- Brian Volney – Maintenance
- Loretta Watson – Spring HS
- Stephanie Welch – Clark Elementary
- Danny Westover – Bammel MS
- Roosevelt Wilson – Spring Leadership Academy
- Maria Yarborough – Hirsch ES
- Chong-Fin Yu – Child Nutrition
20 Years of Service
- Blanca Castillo – Thompson ES
- Josefa Rubio – Tax Office
- Elma Ayala – Reynolds ES
- Kelly Bach – Special Education
- Catina Baker – Child Nutrition
- Sadriek Bell – Bammel MS
- Lennis Brice – Twin Creeks MS
- Mayra Rivera Carballo – Transportation
- Roy Cole – Spring HS
- Harolyn Davis – Academy and School Leadership
- Jules Devillier – Booker ES
- Samuel Jackson – Spring Leadership Academy
- Oscar Juracan – Transportation
- Aurora Galvan – Beneke ES
- Jesus Garcia – Lewis ES
- Jason Gershon – Jenkins ES
- Candace Gilliam – Spring Leadership Academy
- Cynthia Valdez – Beneke ES
- Amanda Vanalstyne – Special Education
- Tina Velazquez-Covett – Northgate ES
- Elsie Yates – Transportation
- Maria Fagerburg – Salyers ES
- Eric Fisher – Police Department
- Robert Frantom – Transportation
- Nancy Harden – Hirsch ES
- Latashia Dean – Special Education
- Braxton Obanion – Spring HS 9th Grade Center
- Vanessa Olmeda – Lewis ES
- Varbeverly McFadden – Child Nutrition
- Ana Mendoza – Clark Elementary
- Nohelia Mendoza – Cooper ES
- Gretchen Mitchell – Police Department
- Melissa Mitchell – Beneke ES
- Janelle Espinoza – Hirsch ES
- Gregory Sever – Bailey MS
- Jason Sheffer – General Counsel
- Laura Smith – Booker ES
- Kelly Spahr – Roberson MS
- Jonathan Suhler – Technology
- Shuankedria Tann – Salyers ES
- Michael Travis – Dekaney HS
- Tameka Tyran-Elmore – Spring HS
- Miriam Pinotti – Reynolds ES
- Sandra Rivera – Child Nutrition
- Renee Rozenberg – Wunsche
- Sonia Ruiz – McNabb ES
- Jaime Welsh Kovars – Westfield HS
- Bridgette Wiley – Child Nutrition
- Claudia Zimmer – Roberson MS
25 Years of Service
- Frieayda Eakins – Bammel ES
- Ty Bailey – Special Education
- Cristina Carino – Child Nutrition
- Betty Crofton – Special Education
- Michael DeGregorio – Major ES
- Dieuvu Dinh – Twin Creeks MS
- Carlos Godinez – Maintenance
- Hope Greer – Westfield HS
- Rosio Uriostegui – Link ES
- Maria Frias – Child Nutrition
- Janet Krupp – Child Nutrition
- Georgia Nelson – Child Nutrition
- Cassie Landrew – Spring Early College Academy
- Olga Lara – Child Nutrition
- Elsy Osorio – Child Nutrition
- Marvin Marks – Police Department
- Maria Santos – Wunsche HS
- Robert Tyler – Police Department
- Jady Calderon – Child Nutrition
- Martha Palmer – Link ES
- Vessa Parker – Transportation
- Mark Riha – Wunsche HS
- Loretta Watson – Spring HS
- Thomas Welch – Westfield HS
- Michele Whitehead – Westfield HS
- Cynthia Williams – Academy and School Leadership
- Julie Wyrick – Spring HS
30 Years of Service
- Clara Bonilla – Child Nutrition
- Lisa Brown – Twin Creeks MS
- Teresa Smithey – Transportation
- Irene Darby – District Operations
- Jantje Van Adrichem – Transportation
- Geneva Floyd – Heritage ES
- Richard Lancaster – Spring Early College Academy
35 Years of Service
- Melanie Zaborowske – Twin Creeks MS
- Sandra Wyatt – Child Nutrition
- Laurie Coker – Transportation
40 Years of Service
- Jacqueline Jones – Transportation
Employee Excellence Award Winners
- Cecilia Reger, TeachUp Spring
- Linda Olisa, Bammel Middle School
- Matthew Simonson, Westfield High School
- Vernon Huelett, Dekaney High School
- Johnny Williams, Performing and Visual Arts
- Crystal White, Bailey Middle School
- Karla Arroyo Espinosa, Academics
- Nicole Ocasio Vargas, Performing and Visual Arts
- Jamarcus Gallien, Bammel Middle School
Rookie Teachers of the Year
- Toneelea Shaftner – Anderson ES
- Ruben Paredes – Bailey MS
- Rebekah Johnson – Bammel ES
- McKenna Castleberry – Bammel MS
- Markelly Pena – Burchett ES
- Echoe Farr – Booker ES
- Maria Quintero – Clark ES
- Swathi Nallagonda – Claughton MS
- Kenia Pinto – Cooper ES
- Tyler Flowers – Dueitt MS
- Carmela Dockery – Eickenroht ES
- Asia Menefee-Lopez – Heritage ES
- Danielle Ross – Hirsch ES
- Gabriela Garcia – Hoyland ES
- Crystal Patterson – Jenkins ES
- Angelina Cedeno – Lewis ES
- Christa Gant – Link ES
- Chelsie Davis – McNabb ES
- Aaron Jones – Meyer ES
- Jaime Herrera Almanza – Momentum HS
- Jocelyn Luebe – Northgate Crossing ES
- Bella Flores – Ponderosa ES
- Sierra Speight – Reynolds ES
- Jordyn Pharris – Roberson MS
- Emily Hinojosa – Smith ES
- Jaelyn King – Spring HS
- Daniel Rosas – Spring Leadership Academy
- Janelle Lee – Springwoods Village MS
- Chareese Williams – Thompson ES
- Erica Encalade – Twin Creeks MS
- Kiara Pereira – Westfield HS
- Ciara Pena-Garcia – Winship ES
- Megan Vela – Wunsche HS
Paraprofessional of the Year
- Araselys Harris – Northgate Crossing ES
- Jameica Washington – Beneke ES
- La’Noris Casey – Salyers ES
- Sebrena Taylor – Clark ES
- Nayelie Armenta – Meyer ES
- Brenda Harden – Richey Academy
- Leslie Castro – Springwoods Village MS
- Laura Villagrana – Dekaney HS
- Christina-Marie Newsome – Spring Leadership Academy
- Crystal White – Bailey MS
Guest Employees of the Year
- Margaret Morris – Northgate Crossing ES
- Deckquelynn Burks – Roberson MS
- Carola Heim – Hirsch ES
- Pauline Pennington – Major ES
- Bernadette Edwards – Heritage ES
Aspiring Teachers Of the Year
- Natashia McNeese – Heritage ES
- Monecia Preston – Burchett ES
- Alicia Jones-Payne – Salyers ES
- Tiwonna Malveaux – Richey Academy
- Karisha Rack – Spring Leadership Academy
Elementary Principal of the Year
- Sarahdia Johnson, Hoyland Elementary
Secondary Principal of the Year
- Dr. Alfred James, Carl Wunsche Senior High School
Elementary Teachers of the Year
- Myra Rodriguez – Anderson ES
- Maritza Gaskin – Bammel ES
- Linda Sithideth – Beneke ES
- Argerie Campbell – Booker ES
- Grace Preston-Jackson – Burchett ES
- Elsa Gutierrez Izaguirre – Clark ES
- Nancy Rojas – Cooper ES
- Julie Croce-Gonzalez – Eickenroht ES
- Linda Sue Hundley – Gloria Marshall ES
- Maria Rodriguez – Heritage ES
- Jennifer Joseph – Hirsch ES
- Nina Baker – Hoyland ES
- Jaleesa Thompson – Jenkins ES
- Rosemary Perez – Lewis ES
- Allison Kiker – Link ES
- Courtney Martin – Major ES
- Syndie Boyd – McNabb ES
- Daibreon Gonzalez – Meyer ES
- Wanda Guerrero – Northgate Crossing ES
- Katherina Montenegro – Ponderosa ES
- Casey Archield – Reynolds ES
- Sara Goolsby – Salyers ES
- Kimberly Simpson – Smith ES
- Maria Flores – Thompson ES
- Mia Waddle – Winship ES
Middle School Teachers of the Year
- Kaitlyn Floyd – Bailey MS
- Kelvin Briggs – Bammel MS
- Kendra Nunez – Claughton MS
- Queenie Garcia-Charles – Dueitt MS
- Christine Pharris – Roberson MS
- Flo Moncrief – Spring Leadership Academy
- Cristy Nitz – Springwoods Village MS
- Tiffany Borens – Twin Creeks MS
- Winston Steele – Wells MS
High School Teachers of the Year
- Lauren Marrow – Dekaney HS
- Cameron Alvani – Momentum HS
- Gladys Ricardo – Spring Early College Academy
- Dr. Navid Hayeri – Spring HS
- Tami Velez – Westfield HS
- Adam Clark – Wunsche HS