Annie Mitchell, a dedicated teacher at Valley Oaks Elementary School in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), will serve as a presenter at this year’s Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) conference, known as giftED24.
Scheduled for December in San Antonio, the conference provides educational opportunities for educators dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders.
With 22 years of experience in education, all within SBISD, Ms. Mitchell is committed to creating a student-centered learning environment. “SBISD has the highest quality of professionals, all dedicated to supporting the whole student through their academic career and beyond,” she said. “It’s our T-2-4 vision that drives me to invest my time, mind, and energy into our district.”
At the conference, Ms. Mitchell will present her proposal titled “Ethics in Science and Engineering,” alongside Polly Osei, a teacher at The Bendwood School. The session will explore ethical decision-making in science and engineering, particularly in light of the new Science TEKS being implemented this year. Participants will engage in discussions about historic and local engineering scenarios, emphasizing the ethical considerations behind each case.
These lessons reflect SBISD’s commitment to developing the Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate, with Ethical and Service-mindedness as essential traits.
Recently, Ms. Mitchell and her colleagues completed a three-week engineering research project at Texas A&M University, where they designed lessons focused on ethical decision-making that affects individuals, industry, economics, and the greater good. By embodying ethical thinking, Ms. Mitchell exemplifies these T-2-4 traits, inspiring her students to adopt these important values in their own learning.
“Representing my school district at the conference is an honor,” Ms. Mitchell remarked. “I take great pride in being part of a community where dedication to student success is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a privilege to work alongside talented educators who strive to improve their teaching practices and make a meaningful impact on our students’ lives.”
To her fellow educators, Ms. Mitchell encourages participation in her session: “Science and engineering are a beautiful kaleidoscope of learning. While understanding the science behind concepts is essential, we also need engineering prototyping and creative thinking to develop innovative solutions for local and global challenges.”
She also emphasizes the role of families in supporting student success: “Parents can best support their children by being their cheerleader and advocate. Kids thrive when they know they have caring adults in their corner.”
Ultimately, for Ms. Mitchell, success as an educator is defined by student engagement and growth. “Success looks like students involved in goal-setting for their academic and personal development. Through this process, they learn to pursue their passions and navigate challenges while seeking continuous improvement.”
As the conference approaches, we thank Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Osei for their valuable leadership in gifted education. We’re excited to see how their work will support our students’ success.
