Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

The arts continue to flourish in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), thanks to dedicated educators who spark creativity and confidence in their students. One of those educators is Cristina Espinoza, Visual Arts Teacher at Buffalo Creek Elementary School (BCE).

For Espinoza, art has always been more than a subject—it’s been a lifelong calling.

“I remember making comic books at a very young age. I used to draw all the time, and eventually, that caught my mom’s attention,” she said. “She enrolled me in an academy focused on Fine Arts for middle and high school. But the moment I knew art would be my life was when my high school teacher introduced me to screen printing. It completely changed my perspective on everything.”

That turning point led Espinoza to pursue a degree in Studio Arts with a concentration in Printmaking. Today, she is both a practicing artist and an art teacher who shares her passion daily with her students. In a full-circle moment, Espinoza began her SBISD journey alongside her own mentor, Felicia Marshall, a longtime art teacher in the district who recently retired. “I was filled with joy when I saw her on my first day in Spring Branch,” Espinoza recalled.

Espinoza began teaching in SBISD in 2018, spending six years at Shadow Oaks Elementary (SOE) before moving to Buffalo Creek in 2022. At Shadow Oaks, she left a lasting mark—literally—by designing the school’s logo and painting a large mural that continues to inspire students.

When she learned that Buffalo Creek had not had an art teacher for years, she felt called to build the program. In just her first year, 11 of her students earned medals in the Texas Art Education Association’s TEAM competition.

“Art allows us to communicate in ways words sometimes can’t,” Espinoza said. “It’s healing, it’s powerful, and it helps students see their own potential. I remind them all the time, ‘You just took a blank piece of paper and blew my mind with your creation!’”

Her classroom is equal parts studio and community hub. Students explore art history, traveling virtually from Vincent van Gogh’s Netherlands to Frida Kahlo’s Mexico. They critique each other’s work, collaborate on projects, and soon will record their own art podcast.

“I want my students to see that creating is a superpower,” Espinoza said. “Through art, they’re building confidence, adaptability, and communication skills. Some of my quietest students have become admired by their peers because of their ability to express themselves through their artwork.”

For Espinoza, the greatest rewards come not from competitions or accolades, but from hearing parents share how much their children love art. “Knowing that they talk about art at home and can’t wait to come to class—that’s what keeps me going.”

As her students continue their journeys, Espinoza hopes they carry with them the lessons of creativity and possibility. “I tell my students that their art has a purpose,” she said. “Whether it’s in contests, galleries, or careers, their talent can open doors.”

Thanks to teachers like Ms. Espinoza, SBISD students are learning that creativity builds more than masterpieces—it builds futures.

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As SBISD celebrates National Arts in Education Week this September, we honor teachers like Cristina Espinoza, who empower students to see themselves as artists, creators, and innovators.

Through her dedication, students are discovering that creativity builds confidence, perseverance, and skills that will last a lifetime — opening doors to future opportunities both in and beyond the classroom.

Want to inspire young minds through art and education? Explore opportunities on our Join Our Team page today.