Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) is excited to celebrate Sandra Cotrino, pre-K 3 teacher at The Bear Blvd. School, as the December 2025 recipient of the Teachers Driving Success Award. Supported by program sponsors Group 1 and BMW Midtown, the award highlights educators who spark curiosity, nurture relationships, and build strong foundations for learning across SBISD.

Cotrino was surprised during a late-morning celebration on campus, where she was honored with a gift basket and recognized for the joyful, hands-on learning environment she creates for Bear Blvd.'s youngest students.

“Sandra Cotrino is a learner and she always looks for ways to bring real-life learning to her classroom,” principal Claudia Salcedo shared. “Her students thrive and she does a fantastic job bringing parents to her classroom, engaging them in their kids’ learning journey.”

By creating a welcoming, relationship-centered classroom, Cotrino helps ensure that school is a positive and memorable first step for every child she serves.

SBISD extends its appreciation to Group 1 and BMW Midtown for their support of the Teachers Driving Success program, helping us celebrate educators who are building strong starts and bright futures for Every Child.

We are #SBISDProud to honor Sandra Cotrino for the difference she makes each day, supporting young learners, partnering with families, and shaping lifelong learners.

#SBISDProud

At Cornerstone Academy (CSA), eighth grader Khloe Wolfe is known for her bright smile, her steady kindness, and her remarkable ability to sense when someone needs a little extra support.

For Khloe, being a student at CSA is about community. It is a place where friendliness and encouragement surround her every day and where she works hard to reflect that same warmth back to her teachers and classmates.

“I love how welcoming and friendly everyone is,” she says. “It helps me want to give that back to the rest of the students and teachers.”

Khloe’s natural empathy shows up in small, everyday moments. She notices body language, listens closely, and looks for ways to include others. Whether she is reassuring a friend who is feeling down or quietly sharing her lunch with someone who forgot theirs, Khloe steps in because she knows small acts of kindness can make someone’s entire day. “When I see how little acts of kindness have a huge impact,” she says, “that’s when I’m truly at my happiest.”

That understanding has become the foundation for her service work with Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack, a program that provides weekend food bags to students in the Spring Branch community. Khloe helped ensure Cornerstone Academy’s food drive donations stayed right here in SBISD, supporting local families. She also contributes dozens of handwritten inspirational cards tucked into the backpacks, each with a short, heartfelt message.

“I realized the kids receiving the food might not be getting encouragement in their day-to-day lives,” she explains. “A simple ‘You are awesome!’ or ‘You got this!’ can boost confidence in ways you can’t even imagine.”

Her notes have made such an impact that one program coordinator reached out to praise Khloe’s consistency, compassion, and genuine care for others. Hearing that meant a lot, but Khloe says recognition is not why she volunteers. “I don’t do it to get noticed,” she says. “Integrity is part of the CSA Way. Doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”

Khloe credits her teachers, especially her science teacher, Mrs. Gartner, for modeling how kindness and positivity can transform a classroom. “She inspires me to stay positive and treat everyone with kindness, whether we’re close or not,” Khloe says.

Her classmates and teachers also reflect these values back to her, creating a supportive environment where empathy is practiced every day. “They support me, help me, encourage me. It all plays a part in making our classrooms a kind, supportive place.”

As she looks ahead to high school and beyond, Khloe believes empathy and self-awareness will remain at the center of who she is becoming. “These skills help me be someone people can lean on,” she explains. “They help me build emotional intelligence, stronger relationships, and better decision-making.”

Khloe dreams of a future in philanthropy, a path that allows her to continue promoting the well-being of others. Understanding feelings, noticing needs, and serving her community are not just traits she practices today. They are the foundation of the life she hopes to build.

For now, Khloe Wolfe continues making CSA and the Spring Branch community a kinder place one encouraging note, one shared lunch, and one thoughtful moment at a time.

#SBISDProud