Spring Branch ISD Featured News

For third-grade teacher Cassandra Hail, teaching is much more than a paycheck; it is a calling and an evident source of joy.

An educator for more than 30 years, Hail is celebrating 20 at Bunker Hill Elementary (BCE)—a place that holds a special place in her heart and the school where her children once attended.  

“I love Bunker Hill and the people I work with. It just feels like home,” she said.

Destined to Teach

Teaching runs in Hail’s family. Her grandmother taught for 50 years, and her great-aunt was a teacher as well. While Hail may have followed in their footsteps, the path she carved is distinctly her own—filled with heart, humor, and a steadfast belief in the power of education.

“I always knew that teaching was what I was meant to do. I really can’t imagine doing anything else,” she said.

Hail’s passion for teaching was solidified in her first year. She taught in an open-concept school and remembers listening to her teaching partner over the wall and thinking, “I can do this! And I want to do this!”

After spending a few years in a traditional classroom setting, she decided to do something different and spent a couple of years as a Reading Recovery teacher. She worked one-on-one with students for 30 minutes at a time, helping them master reading. Although she found the work rewarding, she longed for the energy and connection she found in the classroom—a place where she thrived.

Secrets to Her Success

So, how has Hail stayed passionate about teaching for more than three decades? Her secret is simple: doing what brings her joy.

“You must pursue what brings you joy, and as an educator, that sometimes means straying from the curriculum,” she said. “You must discover it—within your students, among your teammates, and in the small moments that bring a smile to your face.”

One example of those little moments is when students are convinced Hail can read their minds.

“They’re shocked when I know exactly what they are thinking,” she said, laughing. “It still surprises them—and it reminds me that even after 33 years, I still have it.”

She also says surrounding herself with a dynamic and supportive team helps keep a pep in her step.

“My team is everything, and they keep me grounded and, on the occasional tough days, keep me going,” she said.

Hail finds joy in fostering imagination and self-expression through unique classroom activities. One of her favorites is a poetry scavenger hunt, which makes poetry enjoyable, expressive, and meaningful.

Another favorite activity is having students write letters to their parents every Friday, sharing what they learned throughout the week. She recalls a student who lost her mother to cancer many years ago and shared a notebook filled with those letters before she passed away.

“The student and her family cherished those letters,” Hail said. “It reminded me that so much of what we do as teachers goes far beyond academics.”

Reflecting on Three Decades

Looking back, Hail says one of the biggest lessons she has learned as a teacher is to trust her instincts.

“As a new teacher, it is incredibly easy to doubt yourself because you don’t have experience to fall back on. But your intuition is often right. Learn to trust the process and, most importantly, trust yourself.”

When asked to describe the teaching profession in three words, Hail didn’t hesitate: consistency, flexibility, and joy.

“Sometimes you have to give a kid a break. Other times, you have to hold them accountable. But you must also look deeper and try to understand the full picture,” she said.

If there is anything Hail wants for her students when they leave her classroom, it’s for them to believe in their own potential.

“I want them to hold themselves to a high standard and realize that with practice, they can do better—they are capable,” she said.

#SBISDProud