Feel Good Story: Tomball ISD Human Talent Celebrates Educators Who Model Excellence

Feel Good Story: Tomball ISD Human Talent Celebrates Educators Who Model Excellence

In Tomball ISD, excellence isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we celebrate.

Through its Tomball’s Got Talent initiative, the Tomball ISD Human Talent Department recently honored outstanding educators across the district who exemplify Model Great Expectations (GE) practices and intentionally integrate TISD CAREER principles into their classrooms. The celebration shines a spotlight on teachers who are not only delivering strong instruction, but also shaping character, cultivating leadership, and preparing students for life beyond graduation.

“Tomball ISD leads the nation in the number of GE Model Schools and the number of teachers who engage in GE Practices on a daily basis,” said Assistant Superintendent of Human Talent, Dr. Lee Wright. “These exemplary teachers invest many hours learning about GE and designing creative ways to celebrate their students, so it is important to honor those who model GE at the highest level in the classroom.”

Tomball’s Got Talent was created as a Human Talent initiative to recognize and retain exceptional educators who embody the district’s commitment to Destination Excellence. While the department works diligently to recruit top-tier professionals, it is equally focused on celebrating and keeping the outstanding teachers and leaders already serving Tomball students.

“By honoring teachers who weave academic expectations and a career-focused mindset into each lesson, this strengthens the big-picture relevance of each course, assessment, and assignment,” Wright shared.

For the Human Talent team, celebrating instructional excellence is deeply connected to District culture.

“Destination Excellence is not just a tagline, it is an expectation for ourselves and for our community,” Wright said. “The Human Talent department seeks to recruit the best individual for every position and to retain these high-quality teachers and leaders.”

Tomball ISD has long prioritized recognizing talented team members, understanding that appreciation strengthens culture. By spotlighting educators who model excellence daily, the District reinforces its commitment to honoring tradition while continuing to grow as a top-rated District in Texas.

The impact extends far beyond the classroom.

GE Life Principles build on the values students first learn at home, creating a foundation that continues throughout their educational journey. Those same principles form the backbone of TISD CAREER — Character, Accountability, Responsibility, Excellence, Effort, and Respect — traits every employer seeks and every community values.

“After graduation, students can rely on those values and principles in college and in the workplace, and then teach those same life principles to their own children,” Wright explained. “Many TISD graduates choose to stay or return to Tomball to raise their family, so GE and CAREER are literally creating a powerful and positive generational impact for our community.”

What makes the recognition even more meaningful is that these traits aren’t simply taught — they are modeled.

Students see teachers demonstrating accountability, turning mistakes into learning opportunities, and infusing real-world connections into everyday lessons. They witness leadership in action and are encouraged to practice those principles not only at school, but in extracurricular activities, places of worship, neighborhoods, and at home.

That daily modeling leaves a lasting imprint.

“The more we recognize and celebrate excellence, the more we retain incredible teachers and leaders,” Wright said. “The recruiting process becomes easier because teachers and leaders want to make Tomball ISD their destination.”

Through intentional celebration and a shared commitment to excellence, Tomball ISD continues to strengthen its culture, empower its educators, and ensure students are prepared not only for academic success — but for life.

Congratulations to the Tomball ISD educators nominated for this recognition:

• Kristin Khoobiar, Creekview Elementary
• Kassie Kirbow, Creekside Forest Elementary
• Allison Carthey, Canyon Pointe Elementary
• Rasheed Akande, Creekside Park Junior High
• Khristina Edwards, Decker Prairie Elementary
• Clare Hill, Early Excellence Academy
• Daniel Garza, Grand Lakes Junior High
• Michelle Luna, Grand Oaks Elementary
• Katelyn Emshoff, Lakewood Elementary
• Allen Grande, Northpointe Intermediate
• Melissa Clark, Oakcrest Intermediate
• Christie Eubanks, Rosehill Elementary
• Traci Brown, Timber Creek Elementary
• Janie Anderson, Tomball Elementary
• Stephanie Piazza, Tomball High School
• Kathryn Boucher, Tomball Intermediate
• Katie Lewandowski, Tomball Memorial High School
• Michele Minshew, Tomball Star Academy
• Jennifer Battista, Willow Creek Elementary
• Megan Costanza, Wildwood Elementary
• Lizette Burke, West Elementary
• Taylar Wall, West Intermediate
• Dillon McDugle, Willow Wood Junior High
• Lora Glenn, Tomball Junior High