We’re excited to introduce Lucy Kirkley, a new 7th-grade English teacher at Spring Forest Middle School.

Lucy’s journey from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to our district highlights her passion for education and her excitement to embrace Houston’s vibrant culture. Her dedication to nurturing a curious and supportive learning environment reflects the best of what Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) stands for. If you're inspired to join our dedicated team, visit the Team SBISD website and explore opportunities under the APPLY section!

Welcome aboard, Lucy! We’re #SBISDProud of you and all our incredible staff! 

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Question: Where do you teach, what grade level, and where? 

Answer: I teach 7th-grade English at Spring Forest Middle School. 

Question: What do you like about teaching English?

Answer: I love teaching English because we work on the fundamentals, like writing essays and journaling, and I can help students think outside the box. Students open their minds to new and different ways of thinking through reading and discussing books.  

Question: What is your teaching philosophy? 

Answer: I think it’s essential for kids—especially middle school students—to ask questions. I never want a student to shy away from asking a question if they are unclear about a concept or need help. It’s the only way they will learn. 

Question:  Where are you from originally? 

Answer: I’m originally from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My childhood was marked by adventures in nature, with stunning backdrops of national parks forming a part of my everyday life. These iconic locations, which you often see on the set of Yellowstone, served as more than just stunning backgrounds; they became my playground. I visited all those national parks every weekend growing up. 

Question: What inspired you to pursue a career in education?  

Answer:  Living in a small town in a small state naturally led me to attend the University of Wyoming, our only university! It was during these formative years that I discovered my passion for teaching. In those small towns, I grew close with all my teachers and genuinely enjoyed helping my peers in the classroom. Encouraged by friends who consistently told me I would make an excellent teacher, I decided to dive into education when I arrived at college. I threw my heart and soul into teaching, and I loved it! 

Question:  What do you love most about teaching? 

Answer: My favorite part of teaching is when a concept or an idea “clicks.” It’s fun and rewarding to see students’ brains at work. 

Question: What drew you to SBISD?

Answer: As I neared the completion of obtaining my degree, I felt a strong pull to expand my horizons beyond Wyoming. The desire for new experiences and cultural exploration drove me to seek challenging and inspiring opportunities. The quest led me to explore a collaboration between the University of Wyoming and Spring Branch ISD, which offered me a student teaching position. In the spring of 2024, I moved to Houston and worked at Westchester Academy for International Studies. At Westchester, I was able to experience the diverse student body and the international focus of the school, which I found to be enriching and inspiring. I fell in love with the community aspect and the small-town feel of Spring Branch. 

Question: How do you think you align with SBISD’s Core Values? 

Answer:  The warmth of the Spring Branch community resonated deeply with me, echoing the supportive environment I cherished growing up. However, my connection to the district goes beyond just community; it reflects my personal values.

Throughout my life, I have been an inquisitive student—always asking questions, driven by a thirst for knowledge. This natural curiosity fueled my passion for creating a welcoming classroom where my students can thrive. 

I want to ensure that my students feel comfortable in my class. It’s essential for them to expand their knowledge and ease their anxieties throughout the learning process. My belief in fostering an open dialogue aligns perfectly with the SBISD value of Limitless Curiosity. I feel connected to that value. 

Question: What are you looking forward to this school year? 

Answer: This year, I look forward to defining my teaching style. When I was student teaching, I tended to mimic the educators I was observing. Now that I have my classroom, I’m excited about the freedom to confidently state who I am as a teacher.  

Question: What do you like the most about Houston? 

Answer: When I’m not teaching, I enjoy exploring Houston's rich cultural scene. I love visiting the museums in the Museum District and browsing the local bookstores. Houston’s diverse food scene, including the amazing HEB, has also been a delightful discovery. And surprisingly, I'm liking the city's heat and humidity! 

 

 

Stratford Spartans senior running back Javier Denson has never appreciated the sport of football as much as he does now. Poised for a breakout year in 2023, Denson suffered an ACL tear that sidelined him for the entire season.

However, that setback did not define his high school trajectory. A true example of one of SBISD’s Core Characteristics, Denson proved to be Persistent and Adaptable as he worked his way back to peak physical condition while gaining the confidence to perform after a potentially career-ending injury.

“I’m excited about playing the game that I love,” he said. “I never thought I would be doing the things that I’m doing now on my leg again. There’s a lot of rehab involved. It took a lot of people to get me here support from family, friends, and doctors and physical therapists.”

While football is his passion, passed down from his father and two older brothers, each of whom played at Stratford, academics and serving the community are priorities in his life. “Javier multitasks academics and athletics effectively, maintaining high grades in all of his classes,” Spartans coach Todd Rankin said.

“Javier is currently ranked near the top of his class with a high GPA. Javi would love to continue playing football in college but will attend and get his degree regardless.”

He served as a group leader for Stratford’s massive community service event, The Big Day. Javier also was one of the head coaches for the inaugural Unified Football game between Stratford and Memorial, which gives special education students the opportunity to play an organized game of football in front of hundreds of fans.

“Javier embodies what it means to be a true Spartan,” Rankin said. “ Both on and off the field, Javi represents this football team, school, and community in the best way possible.”

Javier and the Spartans kicked off their season Thursday with a 41-39 loss to Tomball at Tully Stadium. He rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries with 1 touchdown and had 4 receptions for 71 yards in his first game back.. Despite the non-district loss, Javier is optimistic about the season.

“I look forward to playing my senior season playing with a group of brothers that I grew up with, picking up where we left off,” Javier said. “ I think we will win a lot of games this year. We have a good team and a great group of guys.

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For more information on Athletics in SBISD, click here.