Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) continues to strengthen its future educator pipeline through its Grow Your Own Clinical Teaching Program, an initiative that gives aspiring teachers valuable, hands-on classroom experience while helping the district develop highly effective educators from within the community.

Pictured, from left, Earnest Brooks, Lee High School Principal; Joe Rodriguez, GCCISD Superintendent; Daisy Medina, English Teacher at Robert E. Lee High School; Heather Alarcon, Austin Elementary Principal; Allica Snare, 5th Grade Teacher at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School; Paige Burt, Victoria Walker Elementary Principal; Seasha Wilson, 1st Grade Teacher at Victoria Walker Elementary School; Brooke Bingham, GCCISD Human Resources Coordinator; Jay Hobstetter, Science Teacher at E.F. Green Junior School; and Jim Campisi, GCCISD School Board President. Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman.

The program allows college students completing their clinical teaching requirements to gain real-world experience in GCCISD classrooms. Participants complete either a semester-long or year-long clinical placement and are paired with experienced host teachers who mentor them through daily instruction, classroom management, and the many responsibilities of teaching.

“Clinical teachers in the Grow Your Own program benefit from the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment while gaining authentic classroom experience,” said Brooke Bingham, Human Resources Coordinator for GCCISD. “By pairing them with experienced mentor teachers, we help them build confidence, sharpen their instructional skills, and feel fully prepared for their first year in the classroom.”

At the February Board of Trustees meeting, the district recognized several clinical teachers who successfully completed the program and are now serving in full-time teaching positions across GCCISD for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year.

Those educators include:

• Daisy Medina, English Teacher at Robert E. Lee High School
• Jay Hobstetter, Science Teacher at E.F. Green Junior School
• Madison Strawn, Science Teacher at Horace Mann Junior School
• Elyssa Hernandez, Math Teacher at Ross S. Sterling High School
• Olivia Patterson, Deaf Education Teacher at De Zavala Elementary School
• Sabrina Okon, Social Studies Teacher at E.F. Green Junior School
• Seasha Wilson, 1st Grade Teacher at Victoria Walker Elementary School
• Sheyla Dominguez, 4th Grade Teacher at Ashbel Smith Elementary School
• Allica Snare, 5th Grade Teacher at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School
• Ana Karen Romero, 2nd Grade Teacher at Highlands Elementary School

Through initiatives like Grow Your Own, GCCISD remains committed to developing the next generation of educators and ensuring every classroom is led by a prepared, passionate teacher.

Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Campus Teacher of the Year honors. Selected by their peers, these exceptional educators are recognized for their outstanding leadership, dedication to teaching excellence, and lasting impact on students and colleagues.

Each honoree represents the best of GCCISD’s commitment to growing Giants by inspiring students and shaping the community's future through education.

2026 GCCISD Campus Teachers of the Year

• Alamo Elementary: Larissa Richards
• Austin Elementary: Maria Borrego
• Bañuelos Elementary: Justin Capetillo
• Bowie Elementary: Julia Hurtado
• Carver Elementary: Shereka McLain
• Clark Elementary: Adriana Chapa
• Crockett Elementary: Marcus Limbrick
• De Zavala Elementary: Diana Torres
• Harlem Elementary: Chelsea Clynes
• Highlands Elementary: Rosa Ramos
• Hopper Primary: Jennifer McDuff
• Liles Early Learning Academy: Kelsey Roark
• Pumphrey Elementary: Cynthia Nieto
• San Jacinto Elementary: Grita Cherry
• Ashbel Smith Elementary: Maricruz Rodriguez
• Travis Elementary: Megan Searcy
• Victoria Walker Elementary: Tina Robinson
• Baytown Junior School: Sylvia Bailey
• Cedar Bayou Junior School: Crystal Castillo
• E. F. Green Junior School: Kelsi Martin
• Gentry Junior School: Richard Hamilton
• Highlands Junior School: Robert Richard
• Horace Mann Junior School: Dylan Horne
• Goose Creek Memorial High School: DeVaughn Eghomwanre
• Peter E. Hyland Empower Academy: Kenneth Hentges
• IMPACT Early College High School: Lindsey Antonini
• Lee High School: Canji Rhodes
• POINT Alternative Center: Veronica Rosillo
• Sterling High School: Paulette Licona
• Stuart Career Tech High School: Christina Miller

As Campus Teachers of the Year, these educators now move forward as candidates for the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, which will be announced in May.

GCCISD congratulates all 2026 Campus Teachers of the Year and thanks them for their extraordinary service to students, families, and the Baytown/Highlands community.

Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) students earned top individual and team honors at the MATHCOUNTS Bay Area Chapter Competition, where the E.F. Green Junior School team secured a place in the MATHCOUNTS State Competition in Dallas.

Students from several GCCISD junior schools competed in the event, showcasing advanced problem-solving skills, teamwork, and preparation. Their efforts resulted in multiple individual recognitions and strong team finishes.

Leading the way was the team from E.F. Green Junior School, which captured the 1st Place Overall Team Award and earned a spot at the MATHCOUNTS State Competition. The team is coached by Rashad Abdul-Jabbar and includes students Evan Qin, Garrett Hoffman, Semaje Turner, and Theertha Nair.

Baytown Junior School also delivered an outstanding performance, earning the 3rd Place Overall Team Award. The team is coached by Sylvia Bailey and includes Angelina Grande Suarez, Asher Hatfield, Brianne Laudig, and Malachi Conger.

In addition to team achievements, several GCCISD students were recognized as the top scorers from their campus, highlighting the depth of mathematical talent across the district:

• Asher Hatfield, Baytown Junior School — 8th place overall
• Bryan Lian, Gentry Junior School
• Evan Qin, E.F. Green Junior School — 14th place overall
• Gionni Gutierrez, Highlands Junior School
• Isabella Arriaga, Cedar Bayou Junior School

The success at the Bay Area Chapter competition builds on a strong performance earlier this season at the 2026 Goose Creek CISD MATHCOUNTS District Competition, where junior school students from across the district showcased their skills and earned top individual and team placements.

MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide program that challenges middle school students to develop advanced problem-solving and analytical skills through competitive mathematics.

The district’s MATHCOUNTS program is coordinated by Joe Richard, GCCISD’s 6–8 Math Instructional Specialist, and supported by the Mathematics Department under the leadership of Amy Henderson, Associate Director of Mathematics. Goose Creek CISD congratulates all students who competed and thanks the dedicated teachers and coaches who helped prepare these young mathematicians.

Five third-grade students from Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) have been recognized among the Top 200 entries out of more than 7,000 submissions in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Creativity Contest, highlighting the artistic talent and imagination of GCCISD students.

Pictured, from left, Blanca Capetillo, Highlands Elementary principal; Stefania Cuevas, Highlands Elementary student and contest winner; Rebecca Acuna, Highlands Elementary Art Teacher; and Mateo Hernandez-Roa, Highlands Elementary student and contest winner. Photo by Stephanie DeLoss, GCCISD Junior High Science District Specialist.

The honored students include:

• Megan Cervantes, Bowie Elementary
• K’lynn Head, Bowie Elementary
• Ayleen Herrera, Bowie Elementary
• Stefania Cuevas, Highlands Elementary
• Mateo Hernandez-Roa, Highlands Elementary

The students’ creativity pages will be displayed during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo near the AgVenture area, giving visitors from across the region the opportunity to view their work.

“We are incredibly proud of these students and the creativity they demonstrated through their entries,” said Stephanie DeLoss, Junior High Science District Specialist for GCCISD and volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Agriculture Education Committee. “To have five Goose Creek third graders selected among the top 200 out of more than 7,000 entries speaks volumes about their talent and the encouragement they receive from their teachers and families.”

District staff, students, and community members attending Rodeo Houston are encouraged to visit the display area near AgVenture to view the students’ artwork and celebrate their achievement.

The Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation hosted its 16th annual Students’ Choice Awards on Tuesday evening, celebrating the extraordinary impact teachers have on students' lives across the district.

This year, 598 letters were submitted by graduating seniors sharing stories of mentorship, perseverance, and the teachers who believed in them and supported them along the way. From those submissions, the Education Foundation Marketing Committee selected 15 educators to be honored during the ceremony.

Unlike traditional recognitions, the Students’ Choice Awards are driven entirely by student voice. Each honoree was nominated by a senior who chose to publicly thank the teacher who made a lasting difference in their academic journey and personal growth.

During the program, Superintendent Dr. Joe Rodriguez and Goose Creek CISD Board of Trustees President Jim Campisi shared reflections on the importance of teachers and the educators who made a lasting impact on their own lives.

“This truly is the best night of the year,” said Dr. Anna Espinoza, Director of Education Foundation and Partnerships. “Tonight, we heard powerful stories of encouragement, high expectations, and teachers who never gave up on their students. That is the heart of our district.”

2026 Students’ Choice Award Honorees

The following educators were recognized during the 16th annual Goose Creek CISD Students’ Choice Awards. Each teacher was nominated by a graduating senior who wished to recognize the lasting impact that the educator had on their academic journey.

• Kiara Rosado, Ross S. Sterling High School — Laraina Hunt, George H. Gentry Junior School
• Emmery Ripke, Ross S. Sterling High School — Shauna Bernshausen, Ross S. Sterling High School
• Isabell Espinoza, Ross S. Sterling High School — April Garcia, Highlands Elementary
• Isabelle Ballard, Ross S. Sterling High School — Taylor Kurbad-Veal, Ross S. Sterling High School
• Aryana Ortiz, Goose Creek Memorial High School — Roman Huizar, Goose Creek Memorial High School
• Claire Boullion, Ross S. Sterling High School — Howard Ghere, Ross S. Sterling High School
• Luis Duran, Ross S. Sterling High School — Michelle Hix, Ross S. Sterling High School
• Kylie Gonzalez, Ross S. Sterling High School — Ann Brown, Baytown Junior School
• Marissa Gonzalez, Ross S. Sterling High School — Alesha Tate, Ross S. Sterling High School
• Anahi Guzman, Ross S. Sterling High School — Melissa Madden-Truncale, Johnny T. Clark Jr. Elementary
• Alexa Prieto, Ross S. Sterling High School — Roxolyn Anson, Ross S. Sterling High School
• Cheyenne Simon, Ross S. Sterling High School — Jade Cherry, Robert E. Lee High School
• Sharon Lagunas, Ross S. Sterling High School — Marcus Goodlow, Cedar Bayou Junior School
• Mia Guerrero, Ross S. Sterling High School — Richard Hamilton, George H. Gentry Junior School
• Monserrat Nieto, Ross S. Sterling High School — Adriana Cienfuegos, Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary

Established in 2009, the Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation is dedicated to enriching teaching, inspiring learning, and creating opportunities for excellence for every student. Through the generosity of community supporters, the Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in grants and designated resources to GCCISD schools and classrooms.

Story by: Kendall David, Executive Director of Community Engagement

Goose Creek CISD is proud to announce the 2025–2026 Principals of the Year, recognizing two outstanding leaders whose dedication, service, and commitment continue to make a lasting impact on students, staff, and the entire GCCISD community.

Elementary Principal of the Year, Lacee Gordon — Ashbel Smith Elementary

Lacee Gordon, currently in her second year as principal of Ashbel Smith Elementary, has been a member of the Goose Creek CISD family for the past 12 years. During her time in the district, she has served as a teacher, curriculum instructional specialist, assistant principal, and now campus principal.

She is deeply committed to student success and community partnership and considers it a privilege to lead the Ashbel Smith campus.

Under Mrs. Gordon’s leadership, Ashbel Smith has experienced strong academic growth, rising nine points in STAAR performance following her first year as principal. This progress reflects her commitment to strong instructional leadership and continuous improvement.

She has championed impactful practices that support both teachers and students, including:

• Leading and supporting instructional coaching cycles to strengthen classroom instruction
• Implementing strategic monitoring systems that promote effective formative assessment practices
• Serving as a district-level presenter, supporting the professional learning and development of fellow educators across GCCISD

In addition, Ashbel Smith was recognized as a Healthy Schools Recipient, highlighting the campus’s commitment to the whole-child approach and student well-being.

Guided by the campus motto, “Every Child Matters; Every Day Counts,” Mrs. Gordon continues to foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and excellence where students and staff thrive together.

Secondary Principal of the Year, Kelley Start — Goose Creek Memorial High School

Mrs. Kelley Start, a proud Baytown native, has dedicated her entire 24-year career to Goose Creek CISD.

Mrs. Start began her career at Sterling High School as a Career and Technical Education teacher and Sterling Stars dance director. She led the Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) program and was a CTE teacher, earning the GCCISD Education Foundation Student Choice Award and recognition as Sterling High School Teacher of the Year.

Transitioning into administration, she served as the CTE Specialist over the Global Business Academy at Goose Creek Memorial High School, helping the program achieve model status through the National Career Academy Coalition. She later served as Assistant Principal over Special Programs and Testing and most recently led Stuart Career Tech High School as principal, fostering a culture of innovation and student success.

As principal of Goose Creek Memorial High School, Mrs. Start has done an outstanding job creating a cohesive, goal-focused campus culture grounded in compassion, professionalism, and high expectations for both students and staff. She has implemented systems that empower students to take ownership of their learning through academic trackers that allow them to monitor and assess their own progress.

Under her leadership, Goose Creek Memorial has expanded opportunities that prepare students for life beyond graduation, including increased participation in Dual Credit courses, associate degree pathways, and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) initiatives—particularly through Global Business CTE industry certifications. Campus performance reflects this focused work, with double-digit growth in Domain 1 benchmark performance data, demonstrating measurable academic progress.

Mrs. Start brings passion and experience to promoting academic success, supporting staff, and creating a positive and inclusive environment for all students.

Congratulations to Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Start for exemplifying leadership excellence and for making a difference in the lives of our Giants every day.