Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Teachers at several Spring Branch ISD schools are feeling even more appreciated this year, thanks to the heartfelt efforts of partners from the business, neighborhood, faith-based and philanthropy sectors of the community.

Many of these partners have had past careers in education, and understand the value of small acts of kindness that provide encouragement for the important, yet difficult job of teaching.

“I spent 16 years in public education,” said Lance Harjo from Horace Mann, an insurance and investment advisory organization founded by two teachers in Illinois with the goal of providing educators with affordable auto insurance. “I realized how much a little ‘treat’ can mean to a staff member, reminding them there are people… [who] appreciate everything they do.”

This fall Mr. Harjo has provided treats and attendance incentives at Panda Path School for Early Learning, DAEP (Disciplinary Alternative Education Program) and Pine Shadows Elementary.

“We greatly appreciate the cookies and gift cards our community business partner, Lance Harjo, provided,” said DAEP Director Kedrick Lookadoo following the in-person delivery by Mr. Harjo on a recent professional development day in SBISD. “His kind words to our staff made them feel appreciated, and it put a smile on their faces.”

This month, teachers and staff at Terrace Elementary received a tasty, homemade lunch prepared by the mothers and daughters of the Houston Hearts Chapter of the National Charity League (NCL). The philanthropy organization is committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences. The majority of the young women in the Houston Hearts chapter attend SBISD schools.

“This is a great way for mothers and daughters to do something together,” said Suzanne Farrow, Houston Hearts vice-president of philanthropy.  “Our members are all busy, but we’ve found they love baking and cooking together. This allows us to provide support to our school district at the same time!”

Houston Hearts mother-daughter teams plan to deliver lunches to other elementary schools in SBISD this semester for the community service initiative the organization is piloting this year. Member Kate Grossman connected with SBISD’s Volunteer & Strategic Partnership coordinator, Abby Walker, to help launch the teacher appreciation project at Terrace Elementary.

“This is one of the best presents a teacher can have,” said Terrace Kindergarten teacher Ms. Jones as she went through the lunch buffet line.

“We are so grateful because we have [teacher-parent] conferences right after lunch,” said another teacher. “I appreciate the salad options since some of us are trying to eat healthily.”

 

Three area churches, who also recognize the power of showing appreciation through hearts, minds, and food, are involved with providing delicious treats for faculties across the district.

For the past five years, Chapelwood United Methodist Church has provided teacher appreciation lunches at several district campuses, a service outreach founded by member Nancy Weich who is a former SBISD teacher. More than 20 volunteers set up and serve the catered lunch fare complemented by homemade dessert treats prepared by another cadre of Chapelwood volunteers who love to bake.

“We look forward to greeting the teachers on each campus and letting them know how much we appreciate their dedication to SBISD students,” said Diane Rager, co-chair of the Chapelwood’s lunch outreach. She and Pam Reynolds work together to provide appreciation lunches to teachers at Northbrook High School, Spring Oaks Middle School, Academy of Choice, Spring Branch Elementary and Panda Path School for Early Learning.

Members of the Sojourn Spring Branch congregation get each month off to a warm-hearted start by serving first Friday donuts and coffee to the Northbrook Middle School staff. Volunteers from the church enjoy bringing treats that result in smiles on faculty faces as they feel valued and appreciated.

 “It’s pretty neat and rewarding to get to know these teachers and encourage their work,” said Sojourn pastor Tony Villatoro.

Houston’s First Baptist Church NexGen Ministry is also jumping into the treats trend! This division of the church focuses on aligning children and youth programs to support member families as their kids transition through various age-level ministries.

Kim Shelby, associate director of Children’s Ministry at Houston’s First Baptist (also a former teacher!), heard about the opportunity to support a local school from Loving Houston, a faith-based organization focused on investing in children to foster long-term transformation in the community.

“Teacher appreciation excites me personally because I remember how much weekly encouragement with notes and treats… meant to me,” said Ms. Shelby. ”Houston’s First wants to let [teachers and staff] know they are making a difference and that they are appreciated!”

The NexGen team plans to provide monthly treats and seasonal gifts to the faculty at Pine Shadows Elementary where one of the former church staff members is now a Kindergarten teacher. As the new service project is launched this school year, the long-range plan is to expand the outreach to the schools in the Pine Shadows Elementary feeder pattern.

Many other community partners also provide teacher appreciation throughout SBISD, including a neighborhood mom’s group who recently sponsored a pizza lunch during the first week of school for the faculty at Spring Shadows Elementary.

“The SBISD Family thanks all the caring partners who are creating a supportive web of goodwill for our teachers, uplifting energies and spirits as they work hard every minute, every day and every way for the personal growth and success of Every Child,” said Abby Walker.

“If other partner groups would like to support campuses whose teachers also need this kind of powerful encouragement, please contact me, and we will get you connected!” Contact Ms. Walker at Abigail.walker@springbranchisd.com or 713-251-2289.