Sydney Shelton grew up in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) with teachers and coaches who encouraged her, challenged her and helped shape who she would become. Years later, those experiences helped bring her back home, this time as an educator.
For Sydney Shelton, the first weeks of her teaching career have also been something of a homecoming.
Shelton is a first-year Life Skills teacher at Spring Branch Middle School (SBMS), but she is far from new to SBISD. She grew up in the district, attending Bunker Hill Elementary (BHE) and later Memorial High School (MHS).
Now, she is beginning her own career in the same school district that helped shape her.
“It feels pretty special to be teaching in the same district that I grew up in,” Shelton said. “A big reason I wanted to become a teacher was because of the positive impact my own SBISD teachers had on me.”
Inspired by those who came before her
One of those educators was Melissa Macha, Shelton’s volleyball coach at MHS.
Shelton remembers a coach who did more than teach the game. Macha encouraged her, challenged her to work hard and pushed her to become the best version of herself.
Years later, those lessons have stayed with Shelton as she begins working with students of her own.
“I still think about the things she taught me, and now as a teacher, I hope I can have that same kind of impact on my students,” Shelton said.
Her story is one example of the lasting impact educators can have. The encouragement Shelton received as a student helped shape her path. Now, she has the opportunity to provide that encouragement for another generation.
And she didn't have to look far for examples of what a career in SBISD could offer.
Both of Shelton’s sisters are SBISD teachers, including Shelby Anderson, a Life Skills teacher at Memorial Middle School (MMS). Anderson is entering her 10th year teaching in the district.
Shelton previously served as a student aide in Anderson’s Life Skills classroom at MMS, an experience that exposed her to the importance of inclusion and gave her an early look at the impact she could have working with students.
Years later, Shelton made the decision to move home from Arkansas and begin her own teaching career in SBISD.
“My sisters have both had such positive experiences teaching in SBISD, and they were a big reason I decided to move back home from Arkansas and start my teaching career here,” Shelton said.
Finding support from the start
Although Shelton is only beginning her professional journey, she says she is already discovering what’s possible here for employees.
In her first weeks at SBMS, she has found colleagues willing to answer questions, provide support and help her build confidence as a new teacher.
“Every day has been a new experience, and I’m learning something new from my students and co-workers every day,” she said.
What surprised her most was how quickly those professional relationships became personal ones.
“One thing I didn’t expect was how quickly my co-workers became friends,” Shelton said. “The support I’ve gotten from the people around me has made the beginning of my teaching career so much easier.”
For Shelton, that support matters. Starting a career in education comes with plenty of firsts, but she says having people around her who are invested in her success has already helped her grow.
“As a first-year teacher, I’ve already been provided with so much support on my campus,” she said. “That support has given me a lot more confidence in my teaching.”
It is an experience she hopes others considering a career in public education will discover for themselves.
“Although it’s my first year, I have already seen the amazing support that SBISD provides, and I would encourage anyone considering public education to choose SBISD,” Shelton said.
Coming full circle
As SBISD celebrates 80 years, Shelton finds herself at the intersection of the district’s history and its future.
She remembers experiencing SBISD as a student at Bunker Hill Elementary and Memorial High School. Today, she sees the district through a different lens, as one of the thousands of employees working together to deliver on SBISD’s promise to inspire minds and shape lives.
That promise is connected to the district’s T-2-4 vision for Every Child, preparing every student for post-secondary success.
For Shelton, delivering on that promise starts with relationships. It means seeing potential in students, encouraging them and creating opportunities for them to discover what they can become, just as her own teachers, coaches and family did for her.
“I have witnessed so much growth in SBISD from being a student at BHE to now teaching at SBMS,” Shelton said. “I am excited to see what is in store for SBISD and to be a part of what comes next.”
After growing up here, being inspired here and ultimately choosing to begin her career here, Shelton knows exactly what “What’s Possible Here” means to her.
“For me, what’s possible in SBISD is coming full circle,” Shelton said. “I grew up here, had teachers and coaches who made a difference in my life, and now I get to come back and hopefully make that same kind of difference for my own students.”
For Shelton, what once seemed unexpected is now her everyday work.
“I never would have imagined that I would end up teaching in the same district where I grew up,” she said, “but I’m really proud to be here.”