Cheers, pom-poms, and emotional surprises filled the halls of two Spring ISD campuses this week as district leaders revealed the 2025–2026 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year, honoring two leaders whose impact reaches far beyond their school walls.

Each year, the district selects one elementary and one secondary principal for the distinguished Principal of the Year honor. Finalists are selected through a rigorous process that includes reviewing campus performance data, conducting leadership observations, and gathering feedback from district leaders and the school community. As part of the district’s tradition, the winners are surprised with the announcement at their respective campuses.

Hirsch Elementary School principal Latoya Patterson unknowingly walked into a surprise celebration shortly after the start of the school day, expecting a routine morning. Instead, she was greeted by a packed gymnasium filled with her family, colleagues, and cheering fifth-grade students, all gathered to celebrate her recognition as Spring ISD’s 2025-2026 Elementary Principal of the Year.

The moment was made even more surprising because Patterson had come to work that morning feeling under the weather—making the emotional celebration completely unexpected. Surrounded by her staff and supporters, she reflected on the challenges and triumphs of the school year, emphasizing that the recognition belongs to the entire Hirsch community.

“I feel like this has probably been one of the most challenging school years for me,” Patterson said. “We’ve done a lot of work trying to get our kids where they need to be. We understand the stakes are high, but I also have a great team of teachers, great kids, great families, and my leadership team is second to none.”

Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar said Patterson was honored for her unwavering commitment to student success, instructional leadership, and the strong culture she has cultivated at Hirsch.

“I always say that great leadership sets the foundation for high-quality teaching and learning, and Ms. Patterson truly exemplifies the qualities of a great leader,” Cuellar told students gathered in the Hirsch gymnasium. “Today is especially meaningful because we’re not only celebrating her as our Elementary Principal of the Year, but she once walked the halls of this very same school as a student. Spring ISD is incredibly proud of her, and this recognition is very well deserved.”

Across the district at Wells Middle School, principal Laquisha Knowles was also caught completely off guard.

As she made her way through her campus hallway, she was greeted by a spirited line of students waving pom-poms, leading her toward a school assembly where students, staff, family members and district leaders were waiting to celebrate her recognition as Spring ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year.

The emotional moment quickly turned into a celebration of the progress and transformation happening across the Wells campus under Knowles’ leadership.

“This win is much bigger than me,” Knowles said. “While I thank you all for it, this is a win for Wells. We’ve accomplished so much together in five years.”

Knowles took a moment to recognize the people who make the work possible each day.

“To my students—thank you. Every day you show up and give it everything you have,” Knowles said. “My teachers—I could not do this without them. This is not just Ms. Knowles, this is everyone. I stand on their shoulders every day to make sure we are providing our students with the best possibilities and preparing them for the future and for jobs they may not even know exist yet.”

Dr. Cuellar praised Knowles’ leadership and the lasting impact she has made on the Wells community.

“This recognition is not just about honoring a terrific leader for a single day, but about the years of impact she has had on the entire Wells community,” Cuellar said. “She is a life changer who has transformed the lives of students and uplifted the incredible staff at Wells every single day.”

Cuellar added that Knowles embodies the qualities of a true educational leader.

“You are passionate, dedicated, and fearless,” Cuellar said to Knowles. “You have an unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for every child, and a will to win that is helping Wells reach new heights.”

Both Patterson and Knowles will now represent Spring ISD in the Region 4 Principal of the Year competition and will also be recognized at the district’s annual Employee Recognition Banquet in May.