Spring Branch ISD Featured News

The Principals’ Institute has named Spring Branch ISD’s Landrum Middle School to its annual Schools Transforming Learning (STL) honors list, praising the campus for providing innovative education and commitment to excellence.

Landrum Middle Principal Steven Speyrer and his campus were recognized by the SBISD Board of Trustees during a special presentation held on Aug. 26 during the Board’s regular monthly meeting. 

Landrum’s principal award was announced in June during a summer conference in Houston supported by the Principals’ Institute. The institute is associated with the N2 Learning group, which manages and facilitates the leadership organization.

“We are thrilled to share [Landrum’s] story of transformation and innovation! This campus is making exceptional strides in providing an engaging learning environment for all students under the leadership of [Principal] Steven Speyrer,” the Principals’ Institute stated in its special award notification.  

Only nine Texas schools overall, including four middle schools, received the 2019 Schools Transforming Learning designation, which is based on nominations and review, as well the school’s ability to match unique learning opportunities with the needs of students. 

Nominations were open to more than 70 Texas public school districts enrolled as institute members, reflecting hundreds of eligible campuses. An essay and video are required for award review and recognition.

The Principals’ Institute reports that schools are selected for recognition based on their work to advance student learning, focused on certain key categories. A focus on data-driven instruction and on meeting student academic and social-emotional needs at the student’s level were cited in Landrum’s award.

“Teamwork and a commitment to excellence are the foundations of our school,” Principal Speyrer said in his video. “Our dedicated and passionate teachers help make excellence happen here every day, and they help make sure our students become more effective communicators, curious learners, and creative problem solvers, and have the self-efficacy to advocate for themselves.”

Landrum Middle takes seriously the district’s goal of Every Child. “We implement for personalized learning strategies for every day’s lessons. The goal is for all our classrooms to be student centered, as we provide student modalities and student choice so that we’re meeting the needs of every child,” Principal Speyrer also said in the school video.

Principal Speyrer noted that a new E-Track, or Enrichment Track, student learning option, ranging from lessons in personal cooking to skateboarding had sparked an interest among many young Landrum Lions that carried over into academic areas. 

SBISD Trustee Chris Gonzalez introduced the meeting’s special award. “We are proud of Landrum Middle School Principal Steven Speyrer, his leadership team and all educators and staff for the Collaborative Spirit and Collective Greatness necessary to earn this recognition,” Trustee Gonzalez said. 

The Principals’ Institute issued Schools Transforming Learning designations to the following Texas schools:

• High Schools: McKinney North High, McKinney ISD; New Tech High@Coppell, Coppell ISD
• Middle Schools: Dean Middle, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD; Dowell Middle, McKinney ISD; Kimbrough Middle, Mesquite ISD; Landrum Middle, Spring Branch ISD
• Elementary Schools: Austin Elementary, Lamar ISD; Hughes Elementary, Prosper ISD; Press Elementary, McKinney ISD

To view Landrum Middle’s special essay and video, please visit The Principals Institute website.