Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Looking forward to the start of the 2021-22 school year on August 16, Spring Branch ISD welcomed 489 new employees during an engaging New Employee Orientation program (via Zoom) where they were introduced to the district’s goals, organizational structure, employee perks, community supporters, and much more.

Superintendent Jennifer Blaine and Board of Trustees President Chris Gonzalez welcomed the group and congratulated them on making SBISD their new career home. 

“They told us that only the best are chosen to work here,” Christopher Marroquin, new Mentor Program Facilitator, said. “That made me feel like this is where I am meant to be.” He also enjoyed the videos (Our Promise and New Employee Welcome) that provided overviews of the district and how Core Values shape the work of every employee in every school and department.

“The event helped me connect to the district,” Marroquin said.

The new employee group participated in a teambuilding activity that collected responses to the question, “What excites you about the opportunity to work in Spring Branch ISD?” A few of the 597 responses were:

• “I am excited to be able to guide our elementary students with thought, positivity and conviction!”
• “Helping students maximize their learning opportunities – these students are the future.”
• “The fact that I’ll be working at the best district in Houston! Another thing that excites me is that I will be working with amazing professionals and work with awesome students.”

The platform used to capture these responses also created a word cloud of the most frequently submitted words, which built excitement as the participants could see how their shared ideas aligned. The bigger the word in the graphic, the more often it was used. 

“We are so excited to welcome all of our new employees,” said Tanisia Hoye, Director of Talent & Support Services.  “Our goal with New Employee Orientation is always to expose our new employees to our Core Values, district priorities, and to let them know how happy we are that they chose Spring Branch ISD.”

At their respective campuses and departments, leaders further engaged the new employees with the ins and outs of their new ‘families’ and work locations – their new ‘homes.’ 

At Pine Shadows Elementary, for example, principal Chris Winstead and team welcomed their new employees with a breakfast provided by the Parent Teacher Association where they received purple Pine Shadows swag bags. They also took a tour of the school.

“Building strong relationships and making connections to last a lifetime started the first day,” Winstead said. “The Core Values were exhibited everywhere.”

Pine Shadows is known for wearing tutus and blingy headbands when celebrations are held. The new employees got initiated into this tradition with their own tutus and headbands provided by Winstead and her team.
 

“I feel extremely lucky to be part of this new Pine Shadows ‘family’ who have done anything and everything to give me support and guidance,” new Kindergarten teacher Candy Tello said. “What kind of school principal offers to take time away from her busy schedule to help you move furniture? Ms. Winstead does. Those are the types of people you find at Pine Shadows Elementary!”

Welcome to all the new employees of Spring Branch ISD. We are #SBISDProud you are here to contribute to our Collective Greatness!