Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Spring Branch ISD welcomes new school leaders as they get ready to Inspire Minds and Shape Lives

 

Spring Branch ISD is excited to introduce seven new principals that are ready to ensure Every Child receives a multi-faceted educational experience. This summer, they have been hard at work preparing to lead their campuses to success and can’t wait to start the new year. 

Join SBISD in welcoming these new leaders: 

Criselda Chavez, Westwood Elementary Principal 

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership?

I believe the most important aspect of leadership is building a Professional Learning Community that focuses on a school culture of excellence. This includes rigorous academic expectations in order to  increase teacher and student capacity that ensures educational equity for Every Child regardless of socioeconomic status. 

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation? 

I model collaboration through my words and actions which encompass a "TEAM AND FAMILY" mentality where we learn from our strengths. To maintain motivation, I plan to circle back and focus on our "why," our mission, vision and commitment to being "Game Changers," which is our school theme this year. 

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD?

I foster a servant leader mindset and am honored to invest my talents and experience in Spring Branch ISD to help shape the lives of our nation's future through leading a school that models persistence in educational equity. This investment is a commitment to maintain a school that provides continuous and rigorous learning opportunities that will help students reach their optimal potential and become successful citizens. 

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year?

My vision for the 2022-23 school year is to build a strong professional learning community with all stakeholders and focus on building teacher capacity to ensure that all students receive a top tier instruction with a high efficacy rate.

 

Sandra Grizzell, Thornwood Elementary Principal 

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership? 

Creating strong relationships is most important when it comes to my leadership style. Building relationships helps create the trust a good leader must earn. I feel my role as a leader is to serve others selflessly and with a servant's heart, whether it be my team, staff, students, parents or the community. A strong leader also leads by example.

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation? 

Creating collaborative work environments that are motivational and inspiring starts with building strong teams. We must make sure we are cultivating strong relationships within our teams that have mutual trust and respect for one another. Whether celebrating personal milestones or recognizing successes, big and small, we all succeed when one of us achieves. A culture of ownership and accountability also helps ensure we are all doing our part to deliver the results we need to be successful. It is essential that collectively we create a respectful workplace that allows for discussion and debate but at the end of the day, we all are working towards the same goal.

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD?

As a product of Spring Branch ISD, I am honored to play a small part in what makes this district unique. SBISD does a tremendous job upholding its core values and maintaining a strong sense of community, while providing opportunities and enrichment that meet the diverse needs of our students. It’s been my honor to work in Spring Branch ISD for more than 25 years, and I hope to continue to be part of this team for many more years.

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year?

My vision for the new year is to continue creating a safe and welcoming learning environment where students love coming to school and where parents are encouraged to take part in their child’s education. A place where EVERY CHILD is provided the opportunity to reach their full potential. Every day we need to make sure that we, as educators, are doing everything we can  to fill learning gaps in literacy and numeracy. I also want to make sure we are not only meeting  academic needs but also the social and emotional needs of our students, as well as our staff. 

 

Bruce Hill, Northbrook Middle School Principal

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership? 

I believe that the most important aspects of leadership are the ability to communicate effectively, a willingness to serve others selflessly (advocating for the needs of all), not allowing fear to hinder making a decision or progress, a willingness to be the example for others to see and being visible and approachable with an open mind and open demeanor. 

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation?

It is important that a team gets to know one another by spending time together.Every time a new member is added to an established team, you essentially have a new team. Team norms should be established to determine how the team will treat one another. It is equally important to consistently celebrate all successes by acknowledging individuals and teams that are making progress towards the school goals. There is never a bad time to incorporate food and treats into celebratory activities. Notes of sincere appreciation can also help to encourage individuals, particularly during challenging times during the school year.      

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD? 

I chose Spring Branch ISD because of its commitment to T-2-4, the district vision that every SBISD graduate will attain a technical certificate, military training, or a two-year or four-year degree. This vision  aligns with my personal philosophy as a former high school administrator and current middle school principal. Spring Branch ISD has also made gains in establishing professional learning communities to respond to the needs of all learners.  I look forward to building on the successful foundation that has been laid, while sharing my expertise to meet the academic and behavioral needs of our diverse learners.    

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year?

My vision for the 2022-23 school year is to ensure that Northbrook Middle School is a campus where every parent feels welcome and staff members feel supported so that we can connect with our students while creating the ideal learning environment that will lead to relevant, engaging, and rigorous teaching and learning.   

 

Dr. HP Hyder III, Northbrook High School Principal 

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership? 

The most important aspect of leadership is knowing that the work is not about you - it’s about those around you. Leadership is about aligning your actions to your school’s needs. Ultimately, when you remove yourself from the spotlight, your team sees who you really are which helps them step outside of their comfort zone to support you with actualizing the vision.

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation? 

To ensure my team works collaboratively and maintains motivation, I include them in the work. It is not uncommon for us to engage in “think tanks” to identify needs and find solutions. I have found that when people know their voice matters, they will move mountains for and with you. I know that the success of the school is dependent on getting buy-in from the team.

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD?

I chose to invest my talent and experience in SBISD because SBISD invests in Every Child. As an advocate for Every Child, it is critical for leaders to believe in each other, leverage our individual strengths, maintain a hunger for learning and exemplify strong character in order to meet our students' unique needs. Seeing how these characteristics are the district’s Core Values, I knew I had found my home.

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year? 

My vision for the 2022-23 school year is to collaborate with our school community to revive the school culture and increase student achievement.  

 

Catherine Pavone, Spring Branch Middle School Principal 

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership? 

When I think of an effective leader, I think of someone who collaborates, communicates and creates a shared vision. As the new principal at Spring Branch Middle School, I will strive to bring these leadership values to the school and work to create an environment where students, staff, and families feel a sense of community and take pride in doing what is best for children.

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation? 

I believe that by being open, transparent and encouraging the team to define common goals for the school, it will lead to collaboration, a shared sense of ownership, and a high level of motivation within the staff. While I recognize that I have the responsibility and privilege of being the principal of Spring Branch Middle School, I also realize that the entire community of parents, students, teachers and staff are invested in seeing this school grow and become even more successful. We are all Spring Branch Bears and I want everyone to be proud to be a Bear.

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD?

For me, Spring Branch ISD is family. I have been in Spring Branch since I moved to Houston in 2005. During these years, I have built relationships with many staff, students, and community members who live out SBISD’s Core Characteristics and Core Values. I believe these traits are not just crucial for education, but important to developing strong morals and becoming a productive member of society. Because of this shared vision, I feel that Spring Branch ISD is the best place for me.

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year?

I am committed to creating a warm, safe environment where students are comfortable taking risks. My vision is a community where parents and teachers work together to help students succeed inside and outside the classroom. In order to achieve their goals, students need to feel supported. I think all of us in the SBMS community can create this atmosphere, making it a place both students and parents are proud to be a part of!

 

Mark Smith, Spring Woods Middle School interim Principal 

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership? 

Leadership is about empowering others to achieve a common goal. A leader must build positive relationships with all groups within a school community: students, teachers, parents, community members and local business owners. In addition to empowering others, a leader must also listen more than they speak, admit to mistakes and seek workable solutions and acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of others.

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation? 

Teams work collaboratively when individual team members have a voice in the decisions that impact them. Team members are motivated by doing meaningful work, receiving and sharing information and having opportunities to develop and hone their skills in a healthy work environment. The same can be said for motivating students within a classroom. By modeling collaboration and motivation strategies with our teachers, they, in turn, can provide the same experiences to their students. 

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD?

I am truly excited to be a part of the SBISD team. I joined SBISD  in February 2022 to help at a school for the remainder of the school year. During my time here, I have come to appreciate the district’s commitment to student learning and teacher development. The support I have received from others throughout the district let me know that I was in a place where my talent and experience would be put to good use. I want to be a part of a team that puts people first. SBISD is that  place. 

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year? 

My vision for the coming school year is to have a positive impact on everyone who depends on Spring Woods Middle School. Students deserve to grow and thrive academically in a happy and safe place. Teachers are treated as professionals with the ability to make decisions about their classrooms. Families and communities see the school as an asset to the neighborhood.

 

Stefanie Spencer, Bear Blvd. School Director 

 

1. What do you believe are the most important aspects of leadership? 

The most important aspects of leadership are relationships, communication and the work of fostering effective team collaborations. A leader who prioritizes these things can leverage the strengths of those he or she works with and together they jointly identify needs and next steps for their team. It is the work of those collaborative teams to then continuously discuss the progress they are making towards their goals, refine their plans and make continuous improvement. 

2. How do you ensure your team works collaboratively and maintains motivation? 

Teams who work collaboratively and meet regularly to find the fun, identify their progress and maintain relationships remain motivated and supported. My job as a leader is to help them find the time and support they need to implement their plans and remind them of their successes and celebrations along the way!

3. Why do you choose to invest your talent and experience in Spring Branch ISD? 

I believe in our Core Values and the work we are doing to support Every Child. T-2-4 is a vision that there is meaningful opportunity for every SBISD graduate and it is our job to ensure that along their pre-K-12 journey students are exposed to a variety of pathways so they have post-secondary choices which they are genuinely excited and prepared for.

4. What is your vision for the 2022-23 school year? 

SBISD staff and community are so excited about the successes of this past school year. The performance outcomes this year, both academic and extracurricular,  were fun to watch and just awesome. The work that led to those successes began in every classroom and every grade and every building in our system- and all of our work begins at our Early Learning Centers. I am so excited to be joining the Bear Blvd. School as their new director. They are a successful team of educators and have done great work for kids in our system. My hope is that I can step in, build relationships, celebrate and support the great work they do so we can see another outstanding year for kids and staff!