Tomball ISD Names 2022-23 ESL, Bilingual Teachers of the Year

TOMBALL - For their high-quality teaching and the impact they have on students, Tomball ISD campuses recognized their ESL and/or Bilingual Teachers of the Year and from that list, three were named ESL, Bilingual District Teachers of the Year, announced by the TISD Multilingual Department.

• Xochitl Johnson, Bilingual Teacher of the Year - Rosehill Elementary
• Crystal Carroll, Secondary ESL Teacher of the Year - Tomball Intermediate
• Elizabeth Smylie, Elementary ESL Teacher of the Year - Creekview Elementary

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TOMBALL ISD BILINGUAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Xochitl Johnson | Rosehill Elementary

Ms. Johnson is currently a fourth grade dual language teacher at Rosehill Elementary. All 13 of her years in education have been served in Tomball ISD, including the last four at RES.

What makes teaching so special to you? 
“I have a great passion for serving and helping others, and teaching gives me the opportunity to tap into that passion daily. Teaching brings me the satisfaction and joy of helping, not only my students, but also those around me.” 

Why do you continue teaching? 
“I continue teaching because, alongside my passion for serving others, I love being able to see the educational impact and growth in my students. Knowing that you have positively impacted the life of a child is such a heartwarming experience that comes with this noble career.”

Why Tomball ISD?  
“13 years ago, Tomball ISD was considered to be a small district. Even though we have been growing exponentially, the feeling of a small, close-knit community is still there. Teaching in Tomball has given me the opportunity to work alongside wonderful people that are not just my colleagues, but also my friends. These amazing people share the same goal as me to provide a great education for the students in our community. As a parent, I genuinely care about providing my kids with the best education and I strongly believe they are receiving it here in this exceptional district.”

From Rosehill Elementary Principal, Gloria Vasquez…
“Xochitl teaches with her heart. She goes above and beyond to meet students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally. Not only does she advocate for every student, she also leads by example, never afraid to implement innovative ideas in her math classroom. Mrs. Johnson’s commitment and persistence is the reason why her students succeed. We are so proud of Xochitl and the work she does to #ReachEveryStudent!”

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TOMBALL ISD SECONDARY ESL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Crystal Carroll | Tomball Intermediate

Ms. Carroll is currently a sixth grade science teacher at Tomball Intermediate. She has dedicated over 10 years of her time to education, all in Tomball ISD. She has served nine of those years at TIS.

What makes teaching so special to you? 
“I believe that teaching is an opportunity to help students reach his or her potential. Every student deserves the opportunity to shine. I have been given the opportunity to inspire others and allow students the opportunity to enjoy not only science, but a joy in learning.”

Why do you continue teaching? 
“I continue teaching because I am still able to inspire my students.  I always told my students that if I lose my joy of teaching or my ability to be myself, it will be time for me to leave.  My family that supports me and my students that come back and check in to let me know how they are doing are what drives me to continue my passion for teaching.” 

Why Tomball ISD?
“I continue to choose Tomball because Tomball ISD believed in me and gave me a chance.  It has been the district for my own children and I want to help continue the success for our community.”

From TIS LPAC representative and 6th grade Assistant Principal, Dr. Myriam Khan…
"Mrs. Crystal Carroll is one of our exemplary teachers whose passion and commitment to our students, parents, and staff is second to none. She works tirelessly to provide the best learning environment for her students and utilizes creative teaching strategies to support student learning. I enjoy observing her classroom and seeing how she engages all her ESL students and makes science come alive with her real-world connections and hands-on educational labs."

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TOMBALL ISD ELEMENTARY ESL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Elizabeth (Libby) Smylie | Creekview Elementary

Ms. Smylie is currently a fifth grade RLA/SS teacher at Creekview Elementary. She brings 31 years of experience to education, eight of those in Tomball ISD, and the last six years at CES.

What makes teaching so special to you? 
“My students are my kids.  I look forward to each school day and strive to give my very best to every student with whom I interact. I know that each student I teach gives me all they can, and I owe it to them to give them my very best every single day.”

Why do you continue teaching? 
“This is what I was put on this earth to do. I feel like I am doing something important when I am teaching my students. I continue teaching because being a teacher feeds my heart and soul with happiness.”

Why Tomball ISD? 
“Tomball ISD is such an incredible district with leadership that truly cares about our students and staff. Tomball ISD encourages me to push myself to the high levels I see all around me in leadership, fellow teachers, paraprofessionals, and all others working in the district.”

From Creekview Elementary Principal, Allyson Jordan…
“Libby pours her heart into her students and treats them as if they are her own family. She sets the conditions for an academic environment that allows students to approach challenges with optimism and confidence. She models best practices for language learning for all students and her ability to create a safe, warm space for students to take risks is one of the many reasons they flourish in her room.”

The Houston Area Association for Bilingual Education (HAABE) recognizes outstanding bilingual and ESL educators from Houston and its surrounding areas. Districts’ TOY finalists will be publicly acknowledged and honored during the annual HAABE TOY Banquet on Saturday, April 29, 2022 at 11 AM at the Hilton Hotel University of Houston. Last year, Tomball ISD’s Bilingual Teacher of the Year Araceli Salinas from Oakcrest Intermediate was honored as the HAABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year, the first for TISD in the history of HAABE.

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TOMBALL ISD CAMPUS ESL & BILINGUAL TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
 

ELEMENTARY

• Oneida Garza - Bilingual Teacher of the Year - Canyon Pointe Elementary
• Amie Dominguez - ESL Teacher of the Year - Canyon Pointe Elementary
• Elizabeth Smylie - ESL Teacher of the Year - Creekview Elementary
• Stephanie Reily - ESL Teacher of the Year - Decker Prairie Elementary
• Julie Warnasch - ESL Teacher of the Year - Grand Oaks Elementary
• Sarabella Padron - ESL Teacher of the Year - Lakewood Elementary
• Xochitl Johnson - Bilingual Teacher of the Year - Rosehill Elementary
• Gabriella Guerra - ESL Teacher of the Year - Rosehill Elementary
• Cyleen Davis - ESL Teacher of the Year - Timber Creek Elementary
• Amanda Elder - ESL Teacher of the Year - Willow Creek Elementary

SECONDARY

• Nathan Henze - ESL Teacher of the Year - Northpointe Intermediate
• Lauren Gonzalez - ESL Teacher of the - Oakcrest Intermediate
• Rocio Rincon - Bilingual Teacher of the Year - Tomball Intermediate
• Crystal Carroll - ESL Teacher of the Year - Tomball Intermediate
• Cynthia Havel - ESL Teacher of the Year - Tomball High School

 

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ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates nearly 22,000 students at 22 campuses.