Kyla Gijan, IMPACT Early College High School student; Amy Kaminski, Baytown Junior School teacher; Yoanna Isas, Ross S. Sterling High School teacher; Sofia Cantu, Ross S. Sterling High School student; Eric Henrichsen; Stephen F. Austin Elementary teacher; Jordan Estrada, Ross S. Sterling High School student; Sophia Lleyva, Goose Creek Memorial High School student; Angie Johnson, Goose Creek Memorial High School teacher; Jorge Granados, IMPACT Early College High School student; and John Lowrance, Baytown Junior School teacher.

By: Erika Foster, Director of Education Foundation

The GCCISD Education Foundation hosted its 14th annual Students Choice Awards Banquet, which honored 15 Goose Creek CISD teachers and highlighted the important role that they played in shaping the lives of their students. Over 200 nominations were submitted by high school seniors, recognizing and expressing appreciation of the hard work and dedication of their educators. The Foundation Board reviewed these nominations and selected the top 15.

The banquet was held at IMPACT Early College High School. Guests were welcomed with an amazing performance by the talented Ross S. Sterling High School Reverb Show Choir, under the direction of Dylan Fornshell. 

The students who nominated the teachers had many positive and heartwarming memories to share about their honoree. Sophia Leyva, Goose Creek Memorial High School, nominated Angie Johnson from Goose Creek Memorial High School and said, “All of her generosity cannot be contained to two pages. Mrs. Johnson really is what I believe a phenomenal teacher, a remarkable mentor, and one of the most considerate people I have met. I find joy in giving because of her and hope she is able to continue her legacy for many years to come.”
The positive impact of teachers on students is immeasurable. They inspire, support, and equip students to reach their full potential to become the workers and leaders of tomorrow.

Sponsors for the event were Aramark, which provided dessert and services, Awards & Engraving, which provided the plaques for teachers, Stuart Blooming Florists, which created the beautiful flower arrangements, Ryan O’Hara - Huntington, which provided the gift cards for students and teachers, and Texas Roadhouse, which provided dinner. Thanks to the sponsors, the event continues to be a success.

Since inception in 2009, the Education Foundation has recognized 210 teachers. The whole story is told in a video produced by Carrie Pryor-Newman, Rick Morris, Digital Communications instructor, Digital Communications Academy students and the Goose Creek CISD Community Engagement Team.