Spring Branch ISD Featured News

In Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), we know that every great future starts with a great teacher—and sometimes, that journey begins in unexpected ways.

Mahsa Ahmadpoor never imagined she would become a teacher. In 2022, she joined SBISD as a kindergarten teaching assistant at Memorial Drive Elementary (MDE), later moving to Hunters Creek Elementary (HCE) to support the Specialized Behavior Support (SBS) program. It was there, working closely with students each day, that something shifted.

“I never seriously considered becoming a teacher,” Ahmadpoor shares. “But as I started this journey, I realized how much I genuinely enjoy working with children. Helping kids grow—personally and academically—has become incredibly rewarding for me.”

Inspired by her experience and driven to make a lasting impact, Ahmadpoor took the next step by joining SBISD’s THRIVE program, a homegrown teacher recruitment and development initiative designed to support staff in earning their teaching certification while remaining rooted in the district they already serve.

For Ahmadpoor, THRIVE offered more than just a certification pathway—it offered a community.

“What makes THRIVE special is the focus on both personal and professional growth,” she says. “It’s not just about getting certified—it’s about becoming part of a network of peers, mentors, and trainers who genuinely care about your success.”

Through customized workshops, real-world training, and continuous support even after certification, Ahmadpoor found the confidence and skills she needed to continue her journey toward becoming a full-fledged educator.

Of course, the shift hasn’t been without challenges. Ahmadpoor is the first to admit that preparing for the Texas EC-6 exam tested her determination. Yet it’s the small moments—the moments that remind her why she answered the call to teach—that keep her motivated to continue on her journey.

“I remember one day when a student became very frustrated. I sat with him and talked until he calmed down. When he finally found peace, I told myself, ‘You did it, Mahsa.’ Moments like that make me feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Looking ahead, Ahmadpoor hopes her students will remember her not just for what she taught them, but for how she made them feel: supported, encouraged, and capable of achieving great things.

“I want my students to say, ‘We achieved this success because of Mrs. Mahsa.’ That would mean the world to me.”

Ahmadpoor’s teaching style, she says, can be summed up in three words: engaging, supportive, and adaptive. Her personal mantra—Empower, Engage, Inspire—guides every interaction with her students.

As she continues her growth as an educator, Ahmadpoor looks forward to new innovations, new learning, and, most importantly, new opportunities to inspire.

Her advice to anyone considering the THRIVE program or a future in education?

“If you enjoy working with kids, THRIVE is worth it. It’s not an easy path, but it’s a life-changing one.”

SBISD is proud to celebrate Mahsa Ahmadpoor and all of our THRIVE graduates—proof that when passion meets opportunity, amazing things happen.