Hill Country MS EANESpiration Winners, 2024
Educational Impact
Those who display leadership and commitment to the district by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact.
Kaitlin Chambers, RTI Teacher
Kaitlin Chambers goes above and beyond to help the faculty and staff at HCMS. She willingly provides support to both students and teachers in multiple ways. She takes the time to tutor students before school and devotes this time to helping them bridge gaps and make connections. She also offers her time in other ways, such as participating in the SST Committee to ensure students receive adequate intervention. When students are discussed in the committee, she volunteers to help them by adding them to her RTI math classes, study skills courses, or just by checking in with them.
Kaitlin consistently volunteers her time to support staff, stepping in to cover classes, facilitate testing, and collaborate seamlessly with teachers. Actively engaged in teacher meetings and PLCs, she openly shares her ideas and welcomes feedback. Her team-oriented approach sets her apart; she consistently prioritizes the needs of faculty, staff, and students, all while maintaining a positive attitude. She can genuinely create meaningful relationships with students that they will remember forever.
Erica Cooper, Special Education Teacher
Erica provides topical, engaging activities where her students are pushed creatively while improving their ELA skills. When you walk into her class, students often work on an exciting project based on national holidays and celebrations while implementing writing, sentence structure, and public speaking. After coming in mid-year, she has tackled the position with passion and zeal. Seeing her love for her students through her teaching and the environment she has set in the classroom has been such a joy! Erica has made a substantial educational impact on the students who are lucky enough to have her as their teacher.
Kathryn Mathews, ESL Specialist
Mrs. Mathews has enhanced our ESL program here at HCMS. She has hosted two celebrations, one for Hispanic Heritage and the Lunar New Year, where staff, parents, and other ESL students could watch their peers/children present on the topic. Kathryn's efforts have even included securing outside donations for these events. Her direct educational impact on her students has been remarkable, inspiring others, and she advocates for students to get all the help and support they need within the classroom. Kathryn has also created a peer tutoring program for Spanish-speaking students, where NJHS students can tutor their peers for service hours.
And she is a great teammate - collaborating with other teachers to help translate documents, presenting online resources to assist the students, and offering strategies to implement in core classrooms. Another awesome addition to campus is doing ESL teacher spotlights for staff who have worked to be inclusive of the school's ESL students. She is an excellent teacher, peer, and role model; we are lucky to have her!
Lacey Menzies, Special Education Teacher
Lacey's commitment to her students' learning goes above and beyond the call of duty. Day in and day out, she tirelessly devotes herself to helping her students develop their skills and bolster their confidence in the classroom. Lacey's unwavering support is evident in her constant encouragement and genuine celebration of every victory, whether small or large, whenever her students progress.
What truly sets Lacey apart is her exceptional ability to adapt her lessons and devise strategies that cater to the individual needs of each student. She ensures everyone can access the learning material at their own pace and level. Her dedication and innovative approach profoundly impact student learning daily, setting them on the path to success.
Heidi Thunder, Special Education Teacher
Heidi Thunder shines as a special education teacher and collaborative partner for 6th Grade at HCMS. Her unwavering dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts extend beyond her role. She supports all students within the 6th-grade community, ensuring each has the opportunity to thrive. Heidi's personalized approach to education is evident in her commitment to meeting the diverse needs of learners, whether through tailored lesson plans, one-on-one tutoring sessions, or advocating for individualized educational plans. She ensures that each student has an opportunity to meet success. She is a true student-centered educator, and we love her!
Good Samaritan
One who displays compassion, selflessness, or courage by taking initiative.
Jolyn Peden, Parent Volunteer
It's not so much a surprise, as it is an understatement to recognize Jolyn for the Good Samaritan Award at HCMS this year. From the start of the year, Jolyn expressed her eagerness to make a difference at Hill Country, and her dedication and compassion have truly shone through. Whether it was enhancing the interior of our building with projects like the renovated teacher lounge, bathrooms, mailrooms, and kitchen or ensuring that the exterior matched the warm and welcoming atmosphere inside through initiatives like the turf projects, our vestibule, and the completion of the marquee project, Jolyn's energy and commitment remained unwavering throughout the year. She tirelessly dedicated herself to improving HCMS in countless ways, many of which I'm sure I'm still unaware of, but I'm deeply grateful for our partnership this year. We often emphasize the importance of relationships and the value of belonging in our HCMS community. Jolyn has consistently exemplified these principles, advocating tirelessly for our school, its staff, and its students. It takes courage and compassion to do what Jolyn has done, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to her.
Heroes
Those who perform an outstanding achievement that brings prestige to Eanes ISD, or do something that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Heather Greenslade, Special Education Teacher
Heather's heroism shines brightly as she stepped into the role of collaborative teacher mid-year, seamlessly taking over with grace and determination. In just a few short months, she has made an unmistakable and profoundly positive impact, not only within the classroom but also in the lives of individual students. Heather's unwavering positivity and boundless dedication are evident in her every action, as she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her students.
What truly sets Heather apart is her willingness to do whatever it takes to support her students' academic and personal growth. Whether providing extra help during lunchtime, staying late to offer additional tutoring, or implementing innovative teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs, Heather's commitment to her students' success knows no bounds. Furthermore, her collaborative spirit and exceptional professionalism make her an invaluable asset to the team, fostering a culture of support and collaboration that enriches the entire school community. We are truly fortunate to have Heather on our team, and her tireless dedication inspires us all.
Emily Jabali, Spanish Teacher
Emily Jabali goes above and beyond as an advocate for the LOTE department and a pillar of support for her campus. She consistently supplies teachers with essential lessons and plans while stepping in to address any gaps or concerns. Known for her engaging teaching methods, Emily has a remarkable ability to make learning Spanish exciting for her students. Her genuine care for their progress is evident in every interaction. Under her guidance, the district’s Spanish program has gained a sterling reputation.
In addition to her teaching prowess, Emily excels in maintaining high educational standards despite a demanding workload. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she goes the extra mile to offer her students emotional and academic support. Emily embodies the qualities of a teacher who leads with resilience, compassion, and expertise. Her outstanding contributions to our school and her positive impact on our student's educational journey deserve recognition.
Brent Kelly, Police Lieutenant
When it was announced that BK would serve as our police lieutenant while continuing his role at HCMS, the excitement among the staff was palpable. His dedication to campus safety is commendable, but what truly sets him apart is his exceptional rapport with our students. BK goes above and beyond his duties, whether reading to our life skills students, warmly greeting them as they arrive, performing on the bagpipes at our Veterans Day assembly, or even participating in school productions like HCP's Peter Pan.
Witnessing the positive impact BK has on our students is truly heartwarming. Even those who may typically shy away from authority figures brighten up when BK engages with them. What's most remarkable about BK is his ability to genuinely connect with the HCMS community. One particularly touching example is the transformation of a student who had never shown interest in athletics. Thanks to BK's encouragement and engagement, this student now looks forward to participating in cross country next year, which is a testament to BK's ability to inspire and empower our students.
BK's care, compassion, and involvement with our students have made a significant difference this year. Our students' trust and respect for him are apparent in their interactions and conversations. BK's dedication to our school community has been nothing short of remarkable, and it has been a true joy to witness the positive impact he has made on the lives of our students.
Brett LaBissoniere, Administrative Intern
Brett has played an important role in the administration's vision of transforming the culture of HCMS. Her efforts have been instrumental in the success of initiatives such as PAWSitive referrals and PAWS applause, which have effectively recognized students for their achievements. Moreover, she has helped to further the vision of creating an inclusive environment for all students, utilizing the Bulletin Board Committee and Culture Corner to provide space and representation.
Consistency has been a hallmark of Brett's contributions. The initiatives started by the administrative team at the beginning of the year are still thriving. The presence of four administrators at HCMS has indeed been a game-changer, and Brett's impact further elevates our collective efforts. We are truly grateful to have her as a valuable member of the HCMS community.
Innovation
Those who implement a creative or innovative program, teaching method, cost-savings, etc.
Grant Burks, Jake Cumbie & David Kuhns, 8th-Grade History Teachers
This trio of stellar teachers brought history to life by organizing a Rap Battle between B-Boy and Mr. Cumbolumbus that showcased epic rhymes and an incredible presentation! Not only were students wholly engaged, but they also walked away knowing that history is more than just events in the past. Their innovative way of teaching was exciting and hysterical to all who had the joy of watching. Kudos to these teachers for thinking outside of the box and making learning fun for all!
Lee Ehmling, Robotics Teacher
Lee's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in updating our robotics devices and curriculum, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. His innovative ideas and tireless efforts have elevated the learning experience and ignited a newfound enthusiasm and passion for robotics among our students.
Beyond his contributions to the curriculum, Lee's impact on our school culture has been profound. His jovial and positive attitude and willingness to offer support and encouragement to all have created a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone at HCMS. We are immensely grateful to have Lee as part of our team, and his presence continues to enrich the lives of students and staff.