Spring Branch ISD Featured News

For the past five years, Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) has been shaping the future of education through its innovative Grow Your Own teacher talent pipeline—a program designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of educators right from within the SBISD community.

Earlier this month, SBISD hosted a special ceremony to celebrate the program’s participants and officially extended letters of intent to 23 graduating seniors. These letters symbolize SBISD’s commitment to hiring each student as a future teacher once they earn their college degree and teaching certification.

Launched in 2020, the Grow Your Own initiative provides high school students with hands-on experience in the field of education. By embedding the program within the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, aspiring teachers take specialized courses, learn classroom strategies, and complete internships alongside experienced educators in SBISD schools.

“So much of a teacher’s success is about connecting with the larger community, and the Grow Your Own program helps SBISD foster that,” said Karen Heeth, SBISD Associate Superintendent of Administration and Talent. “I’m thrilled to see how this program continues to support a strong and sustainable pipeline of future educators right here in SBISD. It also breaks down barriers to entering the profession and gives students a clear, supported path into teaching.”

We’ve seen incredible academic growth this year, and that’s because of the great teachers we have in our classrooms,” said Dr. Jennifer Blaine, SBISD Superintendent of Schools. “This program is helping us make sure we continue to bring in passionate, well-prepared educators—especially those who already know and love our community. Celebrating our future teachers, who started their journey right here in SBISD, is a proud moment for all of us.”

View event photos here.

Congratulations to our 2025 Grow Your Own Future Teachers!

Spring Woods High School
 

Campus Teacher: Allison Smith

Aspiring Educators:

• Damaris Garcia

• Emely Mejia

• Arnold Damian Sibaja

Northbrook High School
 

Campus Teacher: Antoinette Kinchen

Aspiring Educators:

• Joselyn Arteaga

• Fernanda Castro

• Dayana Celiz

• Ashley Garcia

• Jenny Reyes

• Perla Rodriguez

• Ashley Valencia

• Kelly Valencia

Memorial High School
 

Campus Teacher: Veronica Brittain

Aspiring Educators:

• Kate Crapitto

• Susannah Darnall

• Katherine Ferruzzo

• Megan McWilliams

Stratford High School

Campus Teacher: Veronica Brittain

Aspiring Educators:

• Sophie Chavez

• Kiera Cochran

• Monica Garcia

• Eliana Geva

• Miranda Gutierrez

• Maddison Kyser

• Joselyn Fuentes Munoz

• Angelica Salva

Are you interested in starting your teaching journey with SBISD? Click here to learn more.