Spring Branch ISD names Teachers of the Year

Science teachers Mario Romero and Jamie Flint are the 2012 Spring Branch ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.

Mario Romero and Jamie Flint, science teachers from Spring Branch Independent School District, were recently named 2012 SBISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.

These honors were announced at the annual Service Awards employee recognition held May 15 at the Omni Houston Westside Hotel.

Romero and Flint were chosen by the district's Teacher of the Year Committee, which reviewed applications and interviewed seven finalists before voting on the winners.

Romero is a fifth-grade bilingual and science instructor from Thornwood Elementary. He is a graduate of Milbury High School and earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Houston.

"[Mario] always provides energy and empowers his students by giving them leadership roles in the classroom setting, during technology sessions and at school-sponsored events," said Thornwood Principal Lynn Austin in the press release.

"If you don't get something that he's teaching, Mr. Romero will explain it to you the best way he can," said Romero's student speaker, Paula Noguera, at the awards dinner. "If you still don't get it, he will make up hand signs and use manipulatives like a pan balance, magnets, thermometers and hand lenses."

Flint is a chemistry teacher at Spring Woods High School. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004 with a bachelor of science degree and is the president-elect of the Associated Chemistry Teachers of Texas.

Flint has taught chemistry at Spring Woods High for eight years and is famous for her classroom demonstrations that often result in the students enjoying ice cream.

"She may not know this, but because she did such an outstanding job making chemistry so intriguing and easy to understand, it actually inspired me to pursue a career in chemistry," said Spring Woods High senior Theresa To in the press release. "Mrs. Flint was not only my science teacher but also someone who had all the answers (to our questions) and was always there to lend an ear. Mrs. Flint truly made one of the most difficult high school courses one of the best, and for that I will always be grateful."

Flint also taught science labs and activities on Saturdays and helped juniors and seniors pass the chemistry portions of state tests through special lessons.

"She has orchestrated a revival of our AP chemistry classes through high expectations, before- and after-school tutorials, Saturday work sessions and a daily commitment to high-energy teaching," said Spring Woods Principal Lance Stallworth in the press release.

Both teachers received a $2,000 professional development stipend from the school district and $250 from the Teacher of the Year award sponsor, First Community Credit Union.

Finalists for the Teacher of the Year awards were Rachel Cortez from Terrace Elementary, Becky Lee from Valley Oaks Elementary, Angelique Moulton from Westwood Elementary, Katherine Fitch of Northbrook High and Deana Ratnala from Landrum Middle School.