Jennifer Collier, Spring Woods High School Named Secondary School Principal of the Year:
A 19-year veteran of Spring Branch ISD, Jennifer Collier has spent her entire professional career in the district. For seven of those years, she has served as principal of Spring Woods High School (SWHS), working to foster a school culture that embodies their campus motto, All Means All.
Prior to becoming the principal of SWHS, she held several roles including teaching at Memorial and Spring Forest middle schools, assistant/associate principal at SWHS and principal/director of Westchester Academy for International Studies.
“This is an incredible honor, especially since the award is from my colleagues whom I respect and look up to,” Collier noted after the surprise announcement. “It is an amazing recognition because it really recognizes the incredible work that happens within the walls of SWHS daily. The teachers and children are AMAZING, and I am so honored to receive this award as it is a reflection of them and the incredible work they do with and for children daily.”
Collier was also previously named Spring Branch ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year in February 2020.
Daily, her inspiration to excel in her role comes from her students. “Their future is so bright, and the fact that I can play any part in their journey is what drives me to continue each day,” she noted. “To see our Tigers become successful and the best version of themselves is just an incredible honor.”
Collier holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Lamar University.
Terrace Elementary Re-Build:
Terrace is scheduled for a significant upgrade with planning starting in 2024. Jason Johnson encouraged us to help startup a committee to help with the planning and to eventually raise funds for items needed which will not be included in funding. This was done by the elementary school his children attend in the Memorial area and Jason offered to help Terrace if such a committee were formed. The Branding Committee met with Amy Frazer, Co-chair of the Spring Shadows Mom’s Club and Audrey Perch of the Terrace PTA to introduce the idea and offer our help in them forming such a committee. Anyone interested in helping should contact them at audreybpersch@gmail.com or a.higginbotham92@yahoo.com
Spring Shadows Future Farmers of America Buyers Group Supports Our Local SBISD Students: Monica Nugent led a group of 7 Spring Shadows residents in forming a Buyers Group to purchase livestock at the Spring Branch Annual Show & Sale. Seven students from our local Middle and High Schools participated, and the Buyers Group was able to purchase a pen of broilers from a Junior attending Northbrook HS. “Spring Shadows FFA Buyers Group” is listed in a number of promotional materials resulting from the auction. Not only did we accomplish supporting a student in our community, but we also helped extend the brand of our neighborhood. To learn more and to join this buyers group next year, please contact Monica Nugent at nugentfamilyhtx@gmail.com.
Proposed Charter School in Spring Shadows Area:
NextGen Innovation Academy (NGIA) has applied to the Texas Education Agency for a 6 to 12 grade tuition free public charter school
NGIA will be a small school with about 150 students in each grade and, if approved, will launch in August 2024. It will offer a Biomedical Science/Biotechnology program of study or pathway. Letters of support received from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston Community College (HCC), Austin Community College (ACC) and from BACE (institution that trains teachers for the national Biotechnology certification exam) outline the need for such a program in our city. BCM and BACE have committed grant funds to support teacher training. From a recent article in the Chronicle, it is clear that the workforce need in the near future will not just be for candidates with PhD degrees but also those with certifications right out of high school. For questions or more information contact Acting Superintendent, Jyoti Kahlon, 713-885-3683 or jyoti@nextgenacademies.org. A representative from NextGen will make a presentation at the April 11 General Meeting of the Civic Association.
SBISD School Finance Advocacy Team:
A representative of this team will make a presentation at the April 11 General Meeting of the Civic Association. The SBISD position on legislative priorities currently under consideration affecting school financing and other matters will be explained.
