Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Students in Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) aren’t seeing double when they spot Lisa and Lori Calloway—twin sisters who both teach at Landrum Middle School.

“Sometimes students get us confused, but we embrace the confusion with humor,” said Lisa. “What really matters is that we’re here together, helping these kids reach their greatest potential.”

Igniting a Love for Reading and Writing

Two years ago, Lisa moved from Westwood Elementary in SBISD to Landrum and has never looked back.

“The move to Landrum was not expected, but it was just what I needed at that point in my life,” said Lisa.

Reflecting on her 29 years as an educator, she recalls being told she wasn’t suited for the profession.

Determined to succeed, she began her career as a substitute teacher, where her natural ability to connect with students quickly became evident.

“I knew almost immediately that I belonged in the classroom and fell in love with the profession,” Lisa said.

Her struggle with reading and writing as a child sparked her passion for helping students facing similar challenges.

“Leaning into my personal struggles with reading helps me understand my students better and guide them in a way I wish someone had guided me when I was in school,” Lisa said.

Though she could retire, Lisa has no plans to leave. She remains at Landrum, alongside her sister, to make a lasting impact on the students.

“I love it here. The kids need us, and I’ll be around for as long as they will let me,” she said.

Inspiring a Passion for Math

Unlike her sister, Lori took an unconventional route to teaching. She earned a finance degree in accounting and worked long hours behind a computer screen, often on call.

The lack of work-life balance eventually led her to consider a change. With her strong background in math, Lori pivoted to teaching.

Now in her 16th year at Landrum, she brings real-world applications to 8th-grade math and algebra, helping students see the practical side of what they learn.

“When the lightbulb goes off and students start to see how math applies to their lives, it’s the most rewarding part of teaching,” Lori said. “Hearing from them later, about how they achieved their goals, is even more fulfilling.”

Double the Impact

Although Lori and Lisa teach different subjects in different grades on different floors, they share a common approach: setting high expectations while providing consistent support.

“We’re not known as the ‘nice’ or ‘mean’ teachers,” Lori said. “We’re somewhere in the middle. We push our students to do their best, but they know we care about them as individuals.”

While both are committed to helping students succeed, Lori admits she’s more direct, whereas Lisa’s approach is slightly softer. Despite their different styles, they hold their students to the same high standards.

“Students know we won’t let them just slide by,” Lisa added.

Familiar Faces in a Changing Neighborhood

The twins bring 45 years of combined teaching experience and a deep connection to the community in which they work. They lived in the same apartments that many of their students now call home.

Despite some familiar surroundings, Lori and Lisa recognize the school is undergoing transformation.

“You see more apartments and townhomes going up in the area, and there is an influx of diverse students, making the school more varied and exposing everyone to different walks of life,” Lisa said.

Even though the area is changing, Lisa and Lori remain cornerstones in the community, providing stability and consistency in a shifting environment.

A Shared Love for SBISD and Landrum

It is clear that the Calloway twins love teaching, are committed to their students, and strive to make a difference in their community.

They both share a deep appreciation for their school district, likening it to a family.

“At any time, you can reach out to another teacher for support and encouragement,” Lori said. “That is one of the best parts about teaching in a smaller school district. You never feel lost.”

For Lori and Lisa, teaching is more than a job—it’s a calling.

“We love Landrum and SBISD because we know we are making a real impact,” Lisa said. “We are giving the kids the tools and opportunities to achieve their dreams, which keeps us going.”