Fulshear-Katy Community Guide 2025-26

teaching philosophy. — Amy Wernig, KISD Secondary Teacher of the Year Q: If you could recreate the perfect classroom environment, what would it include? A: If I could recreate the perfect classroom environment, it would be a space that feels safe, welcoming, and inclusive for every student. I’d want it to be filled with natural light, flexible seating options to support different learning styles, and visuals that celebrate diversity and student work. Technology would be used meaningfully to support engagement and differentiation, and there’d be plenty of room for creativity, collaboration, and movement. Most importantly, it would be a place where students know they are valued, capable, and supported every day. — Blakleye Goer, Royal ISD A: My ideal classroom would resemble a fully functioning corporate environment, where students take on roles in marketing, HR, management, and research and development. Collaborative workstations and technology hubs would allow students to experience the complexities of running a business firsthand— conducting mock interviews, resolving workplace challenges, and developing marketing strategies. This approach would ensure they graduate not just with knowledge but with real-world

that time because I had to innovate and abandon the way I had grown accustomed to teaching. The integration of new technology platforms and an increased focus on relationship building and engagement set the stage for the future. I believe that year changed education for the better. — Christian Driver, LCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year A: I would go back to my third year of teaching, which is when I learned that as an educator, you never fully know how what you say or do will impact your students; therefore, your actions and words must be guided by love, intentionality, and compassion. I was teaching high school theatre that year, and during the closing night of our fall production, an actor’s father confided in me that his son’s involvement in the play “saved my son’s life.” Prior to his son’s participation in theatre, his son had been wrestling with severe depression. While I simply thought we were just having fun putting on a show, the father said that the nurturing, collaborative, and inclusive environment my cast, crew, and I developed together helped his son work through his struggles. His son knew that in our theatre class and rehearsal space, he would be safe and surrounded by joy and warmth. This realization of the importance of leading with love is now the foundation of my

Middle School Teacher Q: Is there any tech innovation you wish had existed when you first started teaching? A: Oh, absolutely! I would’ve loved to have had access to digital formative assessments and real-time progress tracking from the jump. Back then, I was swimming in stacks of paper, trying to decipher who needed what, when, and how. I also wish platforms like Canvas, Teams, Canva, Padlet, and FlipGrid had been available earlier. So many of my students found their voices through these tools. It allowed them to reflect, respond, and grow in ways that a traditional classroom sometimes doesn’t allow. Innovations such as the Promethean Board, Classroom Screen, and TeacherMade could have made my first few years less overwhelming and even more impactful. — Shaniea Pennygraph, LCISD Elementary Teacher of the Year A: This may seem like a basic answer, but how I wish my students had had personal laptops or Chromebooks when I first started teaching! This is my twentieth year in education, and no other tech innovation has empowered my students and supported my ability to vary instruction more than having one-to-one Chromebooks. — Amy Wernig, KISD Secondary Teacher of the Year A: Honestly, no. I have enjoyed the process of growing with the technology and understanding the process that the technology takes in order to complete the tasks that it does. — Johanna Cromeans, Brazos ISD High School Teacher A: When I first started teaching, I wish I had access to the technology rich environments at The British International School of Houston. One innovation in particular stands out: Artificial Intelligence. AI will never replace the teacher in the classroom, but I am confident it is going to enable the teacher to support every student to thrive now and in the future. Whilst Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a relatively new area of technology that we are all exploring, its potential impact on learning, teaching, and school is unlimited. — Mr. Barrie Scrymgeour, Principal at The British International School of Houston Q: If you could go back to one year in your teaching career, which year would it be and why? A: If I could go back to any year in my education career, I would go back to 2020. During the COVID shutdown, teachers across the country were pushed beyond their limits, and we had to get out of our comfort zones to reach our students wherever they were. I became a much better teacher during

various learning styles—visual, auditory, and even kinesthetic. Since our students live in a digital world, education must evolve to meet their needs. — Javier Saavedra, Fort Bend Christian Academy Middle School Teacher A: Technology has allowed for me to teach and connect with my students because it has given all of us new ways to learn, communicate, and collaborate. For example, technology has given us Kahoot! an interactive site I can use with the students to test their knowledge. — Vanessa Ortega, Royal STEM Academy Teacher of the Year Q: Have technological advances changed the way students engage with learning? How has this helped? A: Technology allows me to transform my classroom into an immersive, hands-on learning experience. From watching Shark Tank to designing resumes and websites, students engage in activities that mirror real-world business scenarios. These tools make business concepts come alive and ensure students leave my class with tangible, applicable skills. — Dominic Santanelli, KISD Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year A: Technology has several benefits in the classroom when it is incorporated intentionally. I use technology daily in order to gather immediate and detailed data on student performance. I can also employ it to tailor assignments to individual students and target specific learning needs. Technology offers the opportunity for students to be more independent in their learning by accessing material at their own pace and level. I leverage technology to communicate with students and parents, providing resources that are accessible and available to all. — Becky Finnegan, KISD Elementary Teacher of the Year A: Most students are comfortable with technology and are more motivated to work when given the opportunity to use technology. But I also feel it is important for students to be able to connect with their peers through group work so they can learn to communicate with people. — Pam Diezi, Brazos ISD Middle School Teacher A: Absolutely. Technological advancements bring both opportunities and challenges. While access to information is easier than ever, some students may be tempted to stop at surface-level knowledge rather than exploring topics in depth. That’s why our instruction must help close that gap. Multimedia tools, for example, make it possible to present content in dynamic, engaging ways that promote deeper understanding. — Javier Saavedra, Fort Bend Christian Academy

FULSHEAR-KATY COMMUNITY GUIDE & DIRECTORY 2025-26 ISSUE 65