Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Educators at Buffalo Creek Elementary and Memorial High School were honored recently for their extraordinary contributions to literacy instruction during two surprise announcements sponsored by First Community Credit Union (FCCU) and representatives from the Houston Texans.

Honorees are Buffalo Creek Elementary Librarian Carol Lee and second-grade teacher Emma Franco, and American Sign Language (ALS) teacher Rebecca Jungklaus of Memorial High.

As part of the FCCU Stars in the Classroom recognition campaign, each of the winners was presented with a Texans game ball and sideline tickets to an upcoming home game. In addition, the honorees received gift cards to Palais Royal.

The credit union also issued a $1,000 check to the school district during the BCE award event.

Stars in the Classroom is an annual program that aims to recognize exceptional Houston area teachers, with a focus on literacy instruction.

Click here to see video from the recent Stars in the Classroom award events in SBISD.

“Teachers don’t get the credit they deserve,” said Amber Magee, FCCU vice president of marketing. “Stars in the Classroom is a small part of how we can show our appreciation to these amazing educators.”

Buffalo Creek second graders attended the award ceremony and cheered on their teachers. Lots of oohs and aaahs were heard when a giant $1,000 check for the district was presented to assistant principal Kristen Nash, standing in for Principal David Rodriguez. The credit union also donated 80 new books to the school’s library.

“We’re really fired up about literacy this year,” said Nash.

Under the leadership of Superintendent Jennifer Blaine, SBISD has named literacy as a district priority to ensure all students are reading on or above grade level by third grade.

Along with FCCU staff, another big visitor also attended the award events: Texans outside linebacker, Brennan Scarlett.

At BCE, Scarlett made an impression on the students as he discussed the importance of education and reading during a question and answer session with Drew Dougherty, host of Houston Texans TV (and an SBISD alumni!).

“I can name all my teachers,” said Scarlett when asked who was his favorite teacher. “I enjoyed reading and math. I was competitive and tried to beat the person next to me [in math skills].”

When he was young, his mom took him to the midnight releases of several Harry Potter books, and then stayed up all night to read as much as he could! Texans #57 still loves reading, and is currently working his way through Ego is the Enemy and a book about Benjamin Franklin.

“She is an incredibly hard working person and teacher,” Taylor said just moments before the classroom on Oct. 22.

“She is both deaf and one of the most fascinating people. I knew next to nothing about real hearing loss until I took her class. I know so much about sign language and deaf culture because of Ms. Jungklaus.”

The ALS club members plan to sign the national anthem at the MHS Homecoming game scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25.

Ms. Jungklaus was so surprised by Texans linebacker Scarlett’s sudden appearance in her first-year ALS classroom with the FCCU representatives she jumped up and down with joy.

“I can’t teach now!” she proclaimed. Minutes later, she was teaching the young professional athlete how to sign several special words and phrases, including “Houston Astros,” as that team prepared to begin the World Series and was a hot daily news topic.

Strong community support for language study and literacy is not lost on SBISD leaders.

“We appreciate our community partners’ support of literacy in SBISD,” said Abby Walker, SBISD Coordinator for Strategic Partnerships and Volunteer Programs.

“From providing recognition opportunities for our students and staff to engaging in programs that support literacy instruction for students, we encourage our partners to join us in our efforts!”

To learn about current initiatives and opportunities to support the district’s focus on literacy, contact the Partnerships and Volunteer Office at 713.251.2460 or partner@springbranchisd.com. 

By Steve Brunsman and Becky Wuerth, SBISD Communications

Steven.brunsman@springbranchisd.com and Becky.wuerth@springbranchisd.com