Feel Good Story: Cultivating Connection Across Team Tomball

Feel Good Story: Cultivating Connection Across Team Tomball

As the school year winds down and campuses across Tomball ISD celebrate another year of success, the District’s Human Talent Department took time to recognize the employees who help make those successes possible every single day.

This spring, Tomball ISD launched its new “Culture Cultivators” initiative, recognizing staff members across campuses and departments who intentionally create positive, welcoming environments for students, staff, and families.

“The Human Talent Department seeks to intentionally recognize staff members on campus and in departments who truly make a difference,” said Assistant Superintendent of Human Talent Dr. Lee Wright. “We wanted to celebrate those who cultivate the culture and spread joy among their colleagues.”

From elementary campuses to secondary schools and district departments, the initiative highlighted employees whose daily actions help strengthen campus culture and reinforce the values that define Team Tomball.

“Campuses have developed core values that help define and shape the campus culture, and these individuals we recognized are intentional about their efforts to support and strengthen the core values on each campus,” Wright said. “Likewise in our departments, nurturing the culture serves to unify and strengthen the bonds of the team. Each campus or department is not just a workplace, but a family, and all are part of Team Tomball.”

The recognition came as a surprise to recipients, many of whom spend the school year quietly encouraging others behind the scenes.

“Each person chosen builds positive environments because they want to, not because of any recognition,” Wright said. “In fact, they had no idea they were getting recognized or even that the recognition existed. Each one has been engaging others in a positive way all year, so the Human Talent team was thrilled to be able to celebrate them alongside their campus principal or department leader.”

Campus leaders described many of the honorees as the “heartbeat” of their schools — the individuals who create connection, celebrate others, and foster a sense of belonging among students and staff.

“Some of the principals and leaders have described their Culture Cultivator as the heartbeat of the campus and the one who is always supporting the staff and students by creating a shared connectedness as a Cougar, Wildcat, Tiger, or Owl,” Wright said.

Whether cheering on students at extracurricular events, supporting coworkers during busy seasons, or simply bringing positivity to everyday interactions, the impact of these employees reaches far beyond their job descriptions.

“Many of the ones we recognized always lead in celebrating others and are always visible at student events,” Wright added.

The initiative also reflects Tomball ISD’s continued commitment to employee support and retention. Wright noted that while strong leadership, supportive families, collaborative educators, and talented students all contribute to the District’s high teacher retention rates, recognizing employees remains an important part of sustaining a positive culture.

“We always celebrate campus and District accolades, and have many to celebrate, and it is always important to recognize the individuals who impact others because they enjoy serving,” Wright said.

The timing of the recognition was especially meaningful as campuses navigate the fast-paced final weeks of the school year.

“May is a very busy month at every campus and in every department,” Wright said. “There are many end-of-the-year events that celebrate success and recognize accomplishments, and it is essential to honor those individuals who have been focused on nurturing the culture throughout the year.”

For the Human Talent Department, Culture Cultivators is more than a recognition initiative — it is a reflection of Tomball ISD’s mission and the people who bring it to life each day.

“The District’s mission statement includes the call to ‘empower students,’ and educators who seek to empower others must be empowered themselves so all of Team Tomball can develop contributing citizens who will lead in creating the future,” Wright said.

Following a successful first year, the District hopes to continue growing the initiative in the years ahead.

“The Human Talent Department seeks not just to recruit the best educators for every position but to continue to retain the best educators because our students are worth it,” Wright said. “With a new school year, we can seek to innovate and expand this popular way to celebrate talented members of Team Tomball.”

Congratulations to our recognized Culture Cultivators:

• Leslie Meek, GOES
• Chantal Hernandez, CPES
• Jesica Barnett, CES
• Sarah Stewart, TSA
• Gracie Tracy, WEST
• Cindy Hamilton, WIS
• Ashley Patane, TJHS
• Brooke Lee, WWJHS
• Jessica Tuttle, WCES
• Dru Wiser, CPJHS
• Alan Dill, TCA
• Carolyn Rodriguez, EEA
• Elizabeth Seidl, DPES
• Sarah Ellison, TMHS
• Erin May, OIS
• Andrea Hicks, TIS
• Schanen Rivera, CFES
• Shelley Curl, NIS
• Maria Mosely, C&I
• Rachel Stork, TCES
• Leticia Rodriguez, Custodial
• Julissa Gonzalez, C&I
• Natalie Castloo, RES
• Julie Hauser, THS
• Amanda Dunne, WES
• Danielle Fair, Transportation