Eanes ES EANESpiration Winners, 2026
Educational Impact
Those who display leadership and commitment to the district by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact.
Caroline Ford, Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Ford has been an exceptional leader, teammate, and representative of what makes Eanes such a special place to teach and learn. She consistently takes the time to answer questions, track down resources, clarify processes, and simply listen when a colleague needs support. Her willingness to help is immediate and genuine, and she makes new team members feel welcomed and valued from day one. Ms. Ford truly embodies the spirit of Eanes. Having been a student here herself, she brings a deep love of learning and a strong sense of pride to her classroom. She goes above and beyond to create custom materials tailored to her students’ needs, thoughtfully designs behavior supports that help children grow, and delivers high-quality instruction rooted in meaningful relationships. Her classroom is a place where students feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Allison McGrane, 4th-Grade Collaborative Teacher
Mrs. McGrane’s educational expertise and commitment to students are truly exceptional. She brings a deep understanding of instruction and thoughtful differentiation to her modified classroom, consistently ensuring students receive the accommodations and support they need while still maintaining high expectations for their learning and growth. Her ability to thoughtfully analyze student data, problem-solve challenges and adjust instruction to meet individual needs has a meaningful impact on student success. Equally remarkable is the heart she brings to her work. Ms. McGrane builds genuine, trusting relationships with her students and creates a safe, welcoming environment where they feel seen, valued and capable. Her warmth, patience and unwavering belief in each child foster both academic progress and personal confidence. It is evident in every interaction that she loves what she does; she approaches each day with positivity, professionalism and a servant-hearted commitment to her students. Our classroom - and our entire campus - are stronger because of her dedication and passion, and she is deeply deserving of this recognition.
Katrina Morales, 2nd-Grade Teacher
Mrs. Morales is the perfect example of a students-first teacher. She goes above and beyond to ensure all students receive the best possible instruction to fit their needs. She has a magical way of making learning calm, fun and inviting. From her sweet learning songs to her unforgettable character voices in a read aloud -- you can't help but smile with Mrs. Morales. Stepping into her room is both inspiring and welcoming. She designs instruction to support all learner needs. She listens closely to her teammates and students, and is a fierce advocate for all. Mrs. Morales makes second grade and Eanes Elementary, an amazing place to be. We are so lucky to have a wonderful teacher like Mrs. Morales. We love you!
Betsy Murray, Educational Diagnostician
Mrs. Murray has served Eanes ISD with dedication for the past five years, including the last four at Eanes Elementary, where she has made a meaningful and lasting impact on students, families, and staff. Known for her exceptional professionalism, thoughtful problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to student success, Mrs. Murray approaches every situation with care, ensuring that each student’s strengths and learning needs are deeply understood and that recommendations are practical, thoughtful, and supportive for both educators and families. Her background as a Reading Specialist brings tremendous value to her work, allowing her to thoughtfully connect assessment data with classroom instruction and provide meaningful guidance for literacy support and intervention. Mrs. Murray is widely respected as a trusted resource who collaborates closely with campus teams to navigate complex situations and identify effective ways to support students. Beyond her campus role, she demonstrates strong district leadership by sharing her expertise, contributing to collaborative problem-solving, and modeling thoughtful, student-centered decision making. Perhaps most remarkable is her ability to build genuine relationships with families, communicating complex information with clarity, empathy, and compassion so that parents feel heard, respected, and supported. Through her expertise, leadership, and authentic care for others, Mrs. Murray strengthens collaboration across families, campuses, and the district while helping ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Chris Overend, Fifth-Grade Teacher
Ms. Overend has been a wonderful addition to the 5th grade teaching team at Eanes Elementary, bringing a genuine sense of light, enthusiasm, and positivity to our campus each day. She approaches her work with energy and optimism, consistently encouraging and uplifting those around her, both students and colleagues alike. Ms. Overend is a thoughtful collaborator who eagerly embraces new ideas and approaches, demonstrating a growth mindset and a willingness to continually refine her practice in order to better serve her students. In the classroom, she intentionally models the values we hope our students carry with them beyond elementary school, treating every child with kindness, dignity, and respect while fostering a welcoming environment where students feel supported and valued. Her ability to connect with students and create a positive classroom culture helps build both confidence and a sense of belonging. In addition to her work with students, Ms. Overend is a supportive teammate who contributes positively to the 5th grade team through her collaboration, encouragement, and dedication to shared success. Her warmth, professionalism, and commitment to doing what is best for students make her an incredible asset to our school community, and we are truly fortunate to have Ms. Overend as part of the Eanes family.
Alyssa Peña, LSSP
Mrs. Peña is a quiet yet powerful educational partner who makes a tremendous impact on student growth and wellness at Eanes Elementary. She brings both deep care and professional expertise to her work, thoughtfully considering the unique needs of each student she serves while collaborating closely with the educators who support them. Through her calm presence and encouraging approach, Mrs. Peña creates a supportive environment where students feel safe, valued, and motivated to persevere—even when working through challenging tasks. Students frequently share how much they enjoy their time with her, a reflection of the trust and positive relationships she builds so naturally. Her highest priority is always meeting the needs of students and helping them grow both academically and personally. For teachers, partnering with Mrs. Peña is a true gift; she is collaborative, thoughtful, and consistently supportive of the shared goal of helping every student thrive. Her professionalism, dedication, and genuine care make her an invaluable member of the Eanes Elementary community.
Bethany Rumble, PE Coach
Coach Rumble consistently goes above and beyond in her role as the leader of Eanes Elementary’s physical education program, creating an environment where every student is encouraged to move, grow, and feel confident in their abilities. She has a remarkable gift for meeting students where they are, finding ways to support, challenge, and motivate each child while making physical activity both meaningful and accessible to all learners. Whether she is encouraging students from the sidelines, running alongside them to inspire perseverance, or designing engaging activities that build strength and teamwork, Coach Rumble brings energy, positivity, and genuine care to every class she leads. Her commitment to fostering healthy habits and a love of movement is evident in the thoughtful planning she puts into her program each day. This year, her dedication was especially evident in the organization of the Mustang Trot, where she thoughtfully planned—and when needed, quickly replanned—an event that brought our entire school community together around the shared joy of fitness, encouragement, and school spirit. Coach Rumble’s leadership, enthusiasm, and unwavering support of our students make a lasting impact on our campus, and we are incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication she brings to Eanes Elementary each and every day.
Innovation
Those who implement a creative or innovative program, teaching method, cost-savings, etc.
Rachel Schwartz, 5th-Grade Collaborative Teacher
Ms. Schwartz has created an abundance of informal behavior intervention tools that are available to the entire 5th grade team. She ensured that behavior intervention was consistent for students throughout the school day by communicating with the entire team and sharing the resources she created. Ms. Schwartz is responsible for a great deal of the progress we have seen regarding students with behavior needs. She not only identified areas of need through meticulous data collection, but also implemented research-based practices to make positive changes that impacted the entire grade level. Her thoughtful approach and dedication to supporting both students and colleagues have strengthened the team’s ability to respond proactively and effectively to behavioral challenges. The systems and strategies she has developed continue to benefit students daily and reflect her deep commitment to helping every child succeed.
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.
Jesse Butler, Teaching Assistant
While on AM playground duty, Ms. Butler saw a student demonstrating some distress. She used a core vocabulary board, a manual communication board, to connect with the student, allowing him a way to express himself with reduced emotional risk and this provided a pathway to more open oral communication. The student was able to ask to speak to another staff member they knew better and then exited the playground. Ms Butler wasn't trained in this exact use of the core board, and most of her job is with early childhood students, rather than elementary aged students, but she had been keeping a core board with her sometimes outside of the classroom she usually works with. She used it effectively to deescalate a situation that could have gone on for a while and could have had a negative outcome, while also modeling communication and problem solving skills and respecting their agency thereby achieving a very positive outcome.
Laura Espiet, Teaching Assistant
Ms. Espiet has been such a wonderful addition to our Eanes family. From the moment she joined the campus, she has consistently demonstrated a positive spirit, strong professionalism, and a genuine commitment to supporting both students and colleagues. Ms. Espiet thoughtfully collaborates with her teammates, always willing to lend a helping hand, share ideas, or step in wherever support is needed. She approaches her work with care and intentionality, ensuring that each student she works with feels supported, encouraged, and capable of success. Ms. Espiet goes above and beyond in her efforts to meet the needs of students and families, taking the time to build meaningful relationships and create a welcoming environment where students feel valued. Her cheerful smile and positive attitude bring a sense of warmth and encouragement to those around her, and she has quickly become a trusted and appreciated member of the Eanes community. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, compassion, and enthusiasm Ms. Espiet brings to her work each and every day, and our campus is stronger because of her contributions.
Deondra Johnson, Teaching Assistant
Ms. Dee is an amazing person and great co-worker to have I’m so grateful I met her this year. Ms. Dee has a calm and cool presence that supports both teammates and students when things get tough! She truly believes that all children deserve a loving, caring, and respectful school experience where they can thrive and be their best selves. Even though this is Ms. Dee’s first year with us, she has fit right into our campus culture and made strong connections to staff, students, and families. Any time you see Ms. Dee she has a smile on her face. She is such a gift to our Eanes community!
Irene Rocha, Parent Volunteer
Ms. Rocha is a volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond in service to our school community. Her dedication and generosity with her time make a meaningful difference each week. In the library, her help is truly invaluable. She spends countless hours supporting students, assisting them in locating books, and ensuring materials are returned to their proper places so that the library remains a welcoming and well-organized space for everyone. Her steady presence helps the library run smoothly and allows students to fully enjoy the experience of exploring and selecting new books. Teachers greatly appreciate the extra set of hands she provides, whether she is assisting with classroom tasks, helping students stay organized, or simply offering encouragement and support. Irene’s kindness, reliability, and positive attitude create a warm and welcoming environment for students and staff alike.
Ellie Wheeler, Parent Volunteer
Mrs. Wheeler is an invaluable parent volunteer whose generosity, enthusiasm and commitment greatly enrich our Eanes Elementary community. She consistently infuses joy into the campus through her thoughtful efforts to support teachers and staff, always looking for meaningful ways to celebrate the people who serve our students each day. Mrs. Wheeler has been instrumental in creating opportunities that strengthen staff camaraderie and bring moments of appreciation and connection to our campus, from organizing delightful coffee carts to coordinating fun gatherings such as Hip Hop and Mahjong that allow staff members to relax and build community together. In addition, she has played an important role in helping bring large campus events to life, collaborating with others to support memorable experiences such as CultureFest and STEAM Day, events that highlight the spirit, diversity and creativity of our school. Her willingness to step in, organize and serve wherever needed reflects a genuine love for our school and the people within it. Mrs. Wheeler is a wonderful partner to Eanes Elementary, and we are deeply grateful for the energy, kindness and dedication she brings to our community.