Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Before giving their service to the students of Spring Branch ISD, dozens of district employees served the United States in a branch of the military. We are #SBISDProud of our veterans working here now and thank them for adding to the Collective Greatness of the district.

We asked some of our veterans how their military experience supports their current work and for any advice they would give students who are considering a branch of service after graduation. Read what they had to say:

Whitney Aguinaga, U.S. Marine Corps
Northbrook High School English I teacher
Advice to students considering military service: You can learn new skills and get opportunities you may otherwise not get. You will meet some of the best people and some of them will end up being just like family.

Michael Beck, U.S. Army
Meadow Wood Elementary School paraprofessional
Advice to students considering military service: It is a great opportunity to explore your possibilities, seek out your strengths and help you figure out what you want to do in life.

Patricia Brady, U.S. Army
Bear Boulevard School for Early Learning teacher
Advice to students considering military service: As a veteran I was provided the benefits that made it possible for me to attend university to get my degree. I am very proud of having served my country AND making my way to my dream job as a teacher.

Felipe Campos, U.S. Air Force
Spring Branch ISD Police Department criminal history specialist
Advice to students considering military service: Your options are limitless if you are willing to work hard, study, and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.

Stacy Clayton, U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard
Ridgecrest Elementary dean of student support
Advice to students considering military service: The military is a perfect fit for some of our students. We are all differently paced and not everyone is college bound right out of high school. The military was an amazing experience where I gained focus and direction. 

Ricky Concepcion, U.S. Marine Corps
District Alternative Education Program health fitness and Leadworthy (team leadership class) teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: I learned discipline and team work.

Felipe Contreras, U.S. Marine Corps
Spring Woods High School art teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: My Marine Corps experience has given me the ability to manage students from different walks of life. It has helped me organize my lessons and manage my time.

Phillip Conwell, U.S. Army
Northbrook Middle School speech-language pathologist
How my military experience supports my current job: I gained valuable experience working with people from a diverse array of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Jerry Coufal, U.S. Navy
The Guthrie Center senior naval science Instructor for the Guthrie-Spring Branch Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC)
How my military experience supports my current job: I draw daily from the experience I acquired from 24 years of leadership opportunities in the Navy in my classroom and in managing the various activities of the Navy JROTC program at the Guthrie Center.

D. Bruce Dareing, U.S. Army
Spring Branch ISD Police Department Chief of Police
Advice to students considering military service: One of the highest forms of service is to serve one’s country and it is both a privilege and honor to do so. The military is a place that gives you life experience that cannot be found anywhere else and it pays you to learn a skill that can be used once your time in service is over. 

John Eskew, U.S. Army
Spring Branch Middle School social studies teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: Teaching world cultures, my experience living in many parts of the world helps me bring firsthand knowledge to the areas we discuss in class and helps me to relate to students from different countries and cultures.

Richard Fanning, U.S. Air Force
Spring Forest Middle School librarian
Advice to students considering military service: It should be a considered an honor to serve our country. 

Ronnie Fenton, U.S. Air Force
Northbrook High School Special Education teacher
Advice to students considering military service: I feel the military is a great way to meet others from around the world. The military builds character and you can earn money and benefits for college. 

Alma Flores, U.S. Army
Thornwood Elementary School counselor
Advice to students considering military service: Consider the trainings the military has to offer to help you get a head start in your career. It will help you with discipline, love of self and country, and provide life-long friendships you will treasure.

Roberto Frausto, U.S. Army
Spring Branch ISD substitute teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: Patience when dealing with individuals of differing backgrounds.

Eduardo Gallegos, U.S. Marine Corps
Cedar Brook Elementary teacher
Advice to students considering military service: I recommend the military for students who are unsure what they want to do after high school. Additionally, the military provides opportunities to pursue a college degree while serving.

Abel Garcia, U.S. Navy
Technology Services telecommunications engineer
Advice to students considering military service: The military service is great for building discipline and confidence in yourself.

Rick Gay, U.S. Army
Procurement Services director
Advice to students considering military service: No better experience prepares you for success as an adult. You will be challenged in more ways than you can think of. You will emerge tested and ready for any challenge life may throw at you.

Ruth Guerrero, U.S. Navy
Special Education Department educational diagnostician
Advice to students considering military service: The military opens a world of opportunities from training to hands-on experiences in different areas. It provides opportunities to get an education as well as travel.

William Hall, U.S. Army
Stratford High School math and engineering teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: I learned a lot about professionalism, managing others, organizational skills and dedication to the job.

Ronald Hanson, U.S. Army
Ridgecrest Elementary School teacher assistant
Advice to students considering military service: Do your best in school, keep physically fit, and a big one: learn how to follow rules.

Marangelly Harris, U.S. Army
Northbrook High School 9th grade level principal
Advice to students considering military service: The military gives you the opportunity to make all your dreams come true. Not only can you experience a civilian career, but also learn a new skill or trade. Once you graduate, you can join the military and continue your education (free of charge) while you travel the world. Explore!

Richard S. Hernandez, U.S. Marine Corps
Technology Services inventory control specialist
Advice to students considering military service: There are many benefits associated with military service that will benefit you long after your commitment has been served. I have my bachelor’s degree in business management, which the military G.I. Bill assisted in financing.

Mikeba Hill, U.S. Air Force
The Guthrie Center patient care technician teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: It has provided me with the necessary skills and discipline to effectively teach, while maintaining an environment of inclusion and belonging for all students. 

Ron Hill, U.S. Army 
Edgewood Elementary intervention specialist 
Advice to students considering military service: If you have respect for your freedoms and want direction in your life, the military gives you many options to succeed and to become a valuable citizen in our country.

Houston T. Jones, U.S. Navy
Technology Services technical support
How my military experience supports my current job: At the beginning of my service, the Navy was getting computer automated. I was ordered to school, and found out IT support was very interesting to me. So, I continued with my studies in technology. I enjoy helping people with their computer issues.

David Justiss, U.S. Navy
Spring Branch ISD substitute teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: Learn how to find something fun and creative in your work; it makes the day go by much faster.

Raymond Karlowicz, U.S. Air Force
Academy of Choice math teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: I was taught leadership, management, computer, strategic planning and analysis skills beyond the technology. I learned how to have the self-confidence to present to a roomful of people and in general do my job to a high standard.

Edward Kenney, U.S. Air Force
Transportation bus driver
Advice to students considering military service: Consider a career that you might use outside of the military. Example: Mechanic/Law Enforcement, etc.

Camilo Layne, U.S. Air Force
Northbrook High School English teacher
Advice to students considering military service:  Definitely consider the U.S. military as an option from the T-2-4 goal, especially for those looking to serve our beloved country and also receive the GI Bill [funding] for continuing education.

Darrell Lewis, JD, U.S. Marine Corps
The Guthrie Center law/criminal justice instructor
How my military experience supports my current job: My Marine Corps experience allowed me to overcome many obstacles in life, which in turn allows me to motivate my students. It also helped me to succeed in completing my doctorate.

Michelle Middleton, U.S. Air Force and Texas Air National Guard
External Funding & Compliance McKinney-Vento (Homeless) Student Support Specialist
How my military experience supports my current job: My experience in the Air Force taught me leadership, perseverance, integrity and [gave me] the drive to focus on the mission and work in, or lead, cohesive teams. All these characteristics are critical if one wants to be successful in any career. 

Cole Mullinax, U.S. Navy
Spring Forest Middle School Life Skills teacher assistant
Advice to students considering military service: Do it!

Troy Neal, U.S. Marine Corps
Technology Services executive director of cybersecurity
How my military experience supports my current job: I learned tact, process, documentation, leadership, mentoring and empathy.

Dan Nguyen, U.S. Navy
Technology Services customer service engineer
How my military experience supports my current job: Camaraderie, discipline and hard work goes a long way to complete a project.

Augustine Ortega, U.S. Air Force
Northbrook High School assistant band director
How my military experience supports my current job: I learned teamwork, leadership skills and discipline

Darrell Pickard, U.S. Air Force
Spring Oaks Middle School counselor
Advice to students considering military service: The military is a great opportunity to learn very specific and technical skills for any future employment along with invaluable team building, strong work ethic and positive self-esteem.

Tracy Purvis, U.S. Army
Memorial High School health science teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: I gained valuable experience during my service as a combat medic. It is extremely important to me to present my experiences and skills to my students in ways they will understand.

Onix Rivera, U.S. Marine Corps
Technology Services Enterprise Team systems engineer 
Advice to students considering military service: Going in to the military with a plan is absolutely imperative in order to guarantee success in service and beyond. Knowing what skills you wish to acquire and how you will leverage skills learned in the military in your post-service career will greatly increase chances of success. Above all, enjoy the experience while you can!

David Silvio, U.S. Navy
Transportation mechanic
How my military experience supports my current job: [I gained] mechanical and team leadership skills and methods.

Bruno Toledo, Texas Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve
Northbrook High School math teacher
How my military experience supports my current job: The discipline and Army Values that were instilled in me during Basic Training shaped me into being an educator who respects and expects respect from all my students, and I try to instill the same values in them.

Jaime Trigo, U.S. Air Force
Landrum Middle School choir director
Advice to students considering military service: Be proud, stay strong, stay true to yourself and always work hard.

Edith Waller, RN, BSN, U.S. Air Force Reserves and Texas National Guard
Westwood Elementary school nurse
Advice to students considering military service: Reach for the stars! I was in college working towards a degree in arts. When I decided to go to nursing school, I needed a way to pay for it. Not only did the military help offset the cost of college, I gained so much experience in the military.

Jamal Washington, U.S. Army
Northbrook Middle School band director
Advice to students considering military service: My advice for those considering military service would be to research each branch and the different career and experience opportunities they offer.

Thank you, veterans, for your wisdom, advice and your service to our country. 

If you are a veteran working in Spring Branch ISD and did not have a chance to submit your military experience to the Communications Department, please email becky.wuerth@springbranchisd.com.