Eanes ES EANESpiration Winners, 2025
Educational Impact
Those who display leadership and commitment to the district by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact.
Emma Barkley, 2nd-Grade Teacher
Ms. Barkley has consistently created a classroom with high expectations, a strong sense of classroom community, and a wonderful commitment to social emotional learning and intelligence. She is a calm, cool, and collected teacher who leads with love for each child and is flexible as needed throughout the school year. She is quick to greet students of all ages and has a strong relationship with a variety of kids which leads to a very well run, respectful classroom. What sets Ms. B apart is her remarkable ability to truly know each of her students. She advocates for every single one, ensuring that their voices are heard, their needs are met, and their potential is never underestimated. Whether she’s collaborating with colleagues, reaching out to families, or tailoring instruction to support every learner, Ms. B's dedication is unmistakable. Her positive influence ripples far beyond her own classroom and touches the lives of fellow staff, families, and the broader district.
Veronica Bartlett, 3rd-Grade Teacher
Ms. Bartlett’s dedication to becoming an expert in reading and language arts is truly inspiring. The way she consistently engages with small groups and encourages her students to strive for excellence speaks volumes about her commitment. She has an incredible ability to understand all her students deeply, and the wonders she works with her WIN group students is remarkable. She generously shares her extensive knowledge with her team members, helping them to become excellent reading teachers as well. We are so thankful for Ms. Bartlett’s passion for teaching and her love of learning!
Jacqueline Boice, 3rd-Grade Teacher
Ms. Boice is the epitome of what a general education collab teacher should be. She is one of the most amazing educators and gives it her all every day. She has worked hard to create a safe classroom environment for every single student. She goes above and beyond what is expected of her and she is always willing to continue learning and growing. Ms. Boice’s impact goes beyond the classroom as she makes an effort to support students in their lives outside of school attending sport events, concerts and other activities. Ms. Boice is an outstanding educator, co-teacher, colleague and friend and we love her!
Brook Fink, 1st-Grade Teacher
If you want to talk about student growth and achievement- look no further than Ms. Fink. Year after year, she pours love and support for her students and works with them to reach their best. The reading interventions and math enrichment she provides for her students each day provide wonderful, consistent, measurable growth from BOY to MOY to EOY. She uses extremely targeted and individualized plans for each student in her class to meet them where they are but also holds them to high expectations for behavior and academics. Ms. Fink is a fabulous teacher who makes a BIG difference from year to year!
Reshmi Johnson, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Johnson is an educator that consistently demonstrates a high level of care for the students she serves. She actively seeks out other members of the team to collaborate to ensure all of her students’ needs are being met. She actively involves her students in decision making regarding their education and seeks to empower them to become independent learners. She guides her students through intentional lessons and beautifully modifies as needs arise, showing grace and flexibility. Ms. Johnson strives for excellence, which inspires the teachers and students that work with her to meet challenges with positivity and grit. Eanes Elementary is lucky to have a teacher like Ms. Johnson!
Esmeralda Salazar, 1st-Grade Teacher
Ms. Salazar makes a remarkable impact on her students, working tirelessly to ensure they not only learn a second language but also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for different cultures. Her commitment to her students goes beyond language instruction. She has created an environment where students are excited to learn Spanish, making the classroom an engaging and dynamic place. Her classroom is filled with joy, energy, and laughter as she brings the Spanish language and culture to life in fun and meaningful ways. She is a true example of what it means to lead with purpose, and her positive, noticeable, and significant impact is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her students and their success.
Adriana Suazo, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Suazo is an exceptional educator who brings unwavering dedication, passion, and heart to her work every single day. She genuinely invests in the success of each of her students, taking the time to understand their individual strengths, needs, and learning styles. Her passion for education is not only evident, but contagious—igniting curiosity and a love for learning in her classroom. She thoughtfully tailors her instruction to meet students where they are, creating a supportive environment that fosters both academic and personal growth. The academic and social-emotional growth her students have made this year is nothing short of remarkable and speaks volumes about her skill, consistency, and care as an educator.
Denise Szymczak, Speech Language Pathologist/Assistive Technology Coordinator
Ms. Szymczak brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as an SLP. Her passion for all things speech is evident in her charismatic story read-alouds, calming yoga sessions, and thoughtful arts and crafts activities. In ARD meetings with parents, she lets parents know how much she sees their child as a whole person, not just as a student with speech goals. Beyond her direct work with students, Ms. Szymczak plays a vital role in supporting inclusive communication throughout our campus, always available for consultations and getting communication supports posted around the school to ensure all students have access to language. She also leads parent training, helping families build confidence and skills in using AAC at home. Her wealth of resources and generous spirit have made her a go-to for staff across grade levels, and she’s always willing to lend a hand or share her expertise. We are so grateful for all she does—she truly makes our school a better place for everyone!
Mary Taaffe, 4th-Grade Math Teacher
Ms. Taaffe’s quality of instruction, expert use of daily "stations" and thoughtful, meaningful creation of assessments is outstanding. She excels in her use of student data to work with the teaching team, pivot and provide effective instruction and assessment. Her approach is as much data driven as it is driven by her love of her students and learning. She treats each student that comes into her room as her number one priority, delivering individualized instruction that would rival a tenured teacher. She is dedicated in her craft, thoughtful in her approach to reaching various levels of learners, and effective in establishing a rapport with her students. That is a rare combination! She has the instinct, love and passion for education and it is obvious every day by the way her students learn.
Innovation
Those who implement a creative or innovative program, teaching method, cost-savings, etc.
Hannah Serencsics, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Serencsics has made a large impact on our campus within her first year! She has collaborated to enhance our school wide "word of the day" resource, she has created a behavior "point sheet" that has highly impacted student behavior, and has balanced coordinating TA schedules - all while serving students on campus with a variety of needs and gifts. She has a real passion for education and leads with a very "relationship first" approach to behavior management and redirections. Ms. Serencsics goes beyond her job description every single day. She is always willing to help teachers around her and has made a great impact on teachers, students and parents.
Hannah Sparrow, 4th-Grade Teacher
Ms. Sparrow is the glue that holds our 4th-grade team together. She is exceptional in her use of technology to support student learning and demonstration of understanding. Even more amazing than that, she happily shares and teaches what she knows with teammates (and anyone else interested). She's the Queen of Quizziz and the guru of Google Forms. It also helps with getting student feedback and grades in real time. She is the 4th-grade team lead, best buddies rep and was the best mentor a new to the profession/new to EE teacher could have asked for. Eanes is a better place to teach and learn with Hannah in our community.
Heroes
Those who perform an outstanding achievement that brings prestige to Eanes ISD, or do something that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Mischa Ballard, Jessie Butler, Kismat Maknojia, Allison Seymour & Jasmine Wan, ECSE Teaching Assistants
These four amazing ladies consistently demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and are true team players. Their calmness under pressure is invaluable and they create a positive environment that greatly benefits our students and team. They always have a bag of tricks ready to entertain the students at any given time. Their ability to connect with each child and create a nurturing environment is truly commendable and they step in wherever help is needed, always with a spirit of flexibility, kindness and grace. It's no surprise the students absolutely adore them — their genuine care and unwavering commitment make a lasting impact on everyone they encounter! Thank you, ladies! You are true heroes!
Stephanie Barnes, Kindergarten Teacher
Since joining our campus mid-year, Ms. Barnes has made an extraordinary and immediate difference—bringing with her a calm, steady presence and a wealth of knowledge that has enriched our classroom, team and school community in countless ways. She stepped seamlessly into the classroom, quickly becoming the missing puzzle piece we didn’t even know we were waiting for. She brings a student-centered lens to everything she does and is deeply committed to meeting the diverse needs of every learner. Her ability to innovate and adapt instruction ensures all students are engaged, supported, and continually growing. She is a trusted colleague who listens with empathy, offers thoughtful insights, and always jumps in wherever help is needed—with a positive attitude and a genuine smile. Her calm energy has been exactly what our classroom needed, and her presence has lifted not only our students but the entire team.She is more than deserving of this recognition for the dedication, heart, and excellence she brings to her work every single day.
Jordyn Caruso, Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Caruso’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. She has become a trusted voice and advocate for language learning and cultural connection within our community. She continuously finds creative and meaningful ways to bring the community together, and her ability to build strong, lasting relationships with students, families, and staff is truly remarkable. She regularly spends her own time planning enrichment opportunities and events that spark joy, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. She’s also deeply invested in her students’ long-term success—staying connected with them well after they’ve left her classroom and continuing to encourage their passion for Spanish. Through her energy, vision, and devotion, Ms. Caruso has made an undeniable impact on our school community. She inspires others, uplifts those around her, and exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. She is more than deserving of this recognition for the extraordinary difference she makes every day.
Adriane Dorsey, Special Education Coordinator
Ms. Dorsey consistently goes above and beyond to support both staff and students. She fosters a safe, inclusive environment where teachers feel empowered to be themselves and seek guidance without hesitation. Her dedication, compassion, and strong leadership have made a lasting impact on our school and the entire Eanes community. Ms. Dorsey consistently goes above and beyond to offer support, even outside of regular school hours, including weekends. She is someone we can rely on for guidance with any issue or concern, always approaching challenges with dedication and a problem-solving mindset. She is an exceptional listener and takes the time to truly understand the needs and perspectives of others, making everyone feel heard and valued. Her genuine commitment to both the special education teachers and students at our school is evident in the care and attention she brings to everything she does.
Kerri Fulginiti, Parent Volunteer
Ms. Fulginiti created and led Culture Fest for our school, making an incredible impact for everyone involved. This full-day event included performances and hands-on experiences from cultures all over the world. Students were exposed to new ways of thinking, while having so much fun. Culture Fest was incredible to see, with ballerinas, yoga, Irish dancers, drum circles, and so much more. Students will never forget this wonderful day, while also learning to be more inclusive and celebrate our differences. Putting on such an incredible festival is a wondrous feat. Thank you so much Ms. Fulginiti!
Shelby Jackson, Special Education Teaching Assistant
Ms. Jackson serves students with a variety of needs across grade levels. She is always thinking ahead how to best serve students in each activity and is quick to advocate for student needs. She has a deep knowledge of student interests, even covering which cafeteria meals will be "hit" or "miss" for specific kids. She is very level headed when working with students and goes above and beyond to help them succeed. She anticipates students' needs before they even express what they need. She goes out of her way to get extra materials for students and comes up with innovative ways to help students get their work done. She is a true hero!
Anika Kotecha, Special Education Teaching Assistant
Ms. K is kind, patient, level headed, calm, and impactful, always quick to mitigate student behavior in a respectful way and provide private conversations about expected and unexpected behaviors. She leads with a very student-first demeanor and makes sure students feel supported while also allowing for independence and trial and error. Whether it’s adjusting her teaching style to help a student grasp something new or jumping in to offer extra support, she’s flexible and always willing to do what it takes. Ms. K is on top of tracking student progress, keeping detailed notes on how everyone’s doing and helping them celebrate their successes along the way. Now we can celebrate her and thank her for all she does!
Drew Young, Special Education Teaching Assistant
Ms. Young goes out of her way to ensure her students feel loved, supported, and valued every single day. Her dedication is evident in the countless ways she prioritizes their well-being—whether it's through thoughtful encouragement, personalized attention, or simply being a consistent, caring presence in their lives. She maintains open and ongoing communication with both special education and general education teachers, always making it a point to check in and see if they have the resources, strategies, or support needed to help every student succeed. Her collaborative spirit helps create a more unified and inclusive learning environment across the board. Ms. Young’s compassion, commitment, and unwavering belief in her students make her an invaluable asset to the school community.