Barton Creek ES EANESpiration Winners, 2023
Educational Impact
Those who display leadership and commitment to the district by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact.
Jackie Boykin - Special Ed Teacher
Ms. Boykin is a phenomenal educator and compassionate leader in our school. You can often find her staying late after school to model a lesson, help develop plans, and offer useful strategies in support of all teachers across our BCE campus. She is an expert educator who is willing to share her knowledge and goes out of her way to make sure others feel prepared and confident - and she asks for nothing in return. Ms. Boykin started a Junior Tutoring Club pairing older students as tutors for younger students. The younger students love the interaction and have bonded with their tutors and vice versa! Ms. Boykin has had an undeniable impact on our campus and community. She has touched countless lives, both teachers and students alike, and has helped make BCE a wonderful place.
Kayla Buenerkemper - CDC Site Specialist
Ms. Buenerkemper is new to our staff this year and is the perfect fit for our team! She has worked incredibly hard to streamline, organize and improve the BCE Early Education program. Coming into a role after the year has already begun can be so hard but Ms. Buenerkemper continues to learn and lead with grace. She finds joy in the day-to-day and is a great supporter of all the students, families, and staff in the program. Thank you for all you do for the youngest learners in EISD!
Hailey McNicholas - Campus Permanent Substitute
Above and beyond does not even begin to explain Ms. McNicholas. In the first half of the year, she stepped in for our unfilled positions and did an amazing job. We quickly noticed she is reliable, flexible, and positive, and holds high standards for students. In the second half of the year, she was called on to fill in for a teacher for the remainder of the school year. This would typically be a difficult situation, but Ms. McNicholas rose to the occasion and her students did not miss a beat in their education. She gives 100% every day and is always willing to learn and grow. There are not enough positive words to say about Ms. McNicholas. BCE is extremely lucky to have her on our staff!
June Porras - Campus Support Specialist
Ms. Porras is a part-time Campus Support Specialist at BCE. You would never know she serves in a part-time position because of her immense impact She joined our Campus Support Specialist team last year and immediately jumped in and learned how to effectively deliver the Fundations programs. Ms. Porras spent countless hours developing lessons, assessments, and activities for her students. In addition, she attended summer training to become proficient with specialized instruction and practices of the dyslexia program. Ms. Porras goes above and beyond to deliver the reading intervention and dyslexia programs with fidelity. Her students are growing and love spending their WIN time with Mrs. Porras.
Sharon Rahman - Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Rahman goes above and beyond for her students day in and day out. She creates a welcoming atmosphere in her classroom where students feel safe taking risks and learning new things. Being a 5 or 6-year-old and spending half the day learning math and science in a language you may or may not know sounds scary, but it isn't with Ms. Rahman as your teacher. She is so loving, and engaging, and makes everyday fun for her kids. The difference in her students’ knowledge from the beginning to the end of the year is remarkable and she is such an asset to us at BCE.
Melanie Kate Yeager - Special Ed Teacher
Ms. Yeager is a beautiful example of an excellent educator. She is eager to see her students engage in her well-planned and very creative lessons. She goes to extraordinary lengths to create a rich learning environment that is safe for students to take risks, be curious and have FUN! She sees the potential in all of her students and is excited to share their accomplishments with her colleagues at the end of the day. Ms. Yeager is kind and caring and has built many lifelong friendships with her colleagues. She is always willing to jump in and help if there is something more she can do. She is a valued member of her team! Ms. Yeager is very deserving of the honor of an Eanespiration Award as an innovative educator!
Good Samaritan
One who displays compassion, selflessness, or courage by taking initiative.
Dru Garza - Parent Volunteer
Ms. Garza is an AMAZING volunteer. She has single-handedly pulled off every major event at BCE. She has chaired the fall carnival, Little Ladies and Loved Ones (even though she doesn't have any daughters), and Son Plus One. Not only is she a rock star for our Booster Club, but she also keeps our school running. She is always willing to jump in and lend a hand. She goes above and beyond working in the cafeteria as a lunch monitor and assisting on field trips among other things. BCE is lucky to have her!
Vaidehee Gokhale - Parent Volunteer
Ms. Gokhale has made a positive impact on not only our Barton Creek Elementary School but our community at large. She is our current Special Education Parent Partner Group representative and has reached out to community members to help them along the journey of finding the best support for their child. She is also a part of our Campus Leadership Team and has used her work at Intel to set up the PC Pals program in which students learn to email professionally and develop a mentorship in the tech industry. Ms. Gokhale has taken her life experiences and used them to make a positive impact on all around her. She is truly an inspiration to our Eanes Community.
Michael Poole - Westlake HS Student
Michael is an upstanding citizen in every way. During his time at BCE, he proved himself to be hard-working, kind, and respectful. Now a student at Westlake High School, Michael decided that in completing his Eagle Scout project, he would give back to the school community by doing a full renovation of the BCE Butterfly Garden. This outdoor learning space needed attention and Michael rose to the occasion. Because of his work, our students have a beautiful space to learn as an alternative to the classroom. We at BCE so appreciate the positive example that Michael sets for his community and are thankful for all he does!
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.
MaryLou Alvarez - CDC Teacher
Ms. Alvarez has worked with the CDC for several years and is always going above and beyond for the program. She is an absolute pro with littles. She is kind, patient, and so knowledgeable. Her compassion for each student is without a doubt sincere. She is that daily dose of positivity and light for the students through her creative lessons and her thoughtful implementation of the unit themes. She provides her class with such structure and routine that the littlest learners can grow and thrive. She loves her students and is a wonderful educator. Her flexibility to not only be present but to also provide support for her coworkers is truly unmatched. We are so lucky to have her at BCE!
Debbie Cannon - School Secretary
Ms. Cannon jumped in as one of our school secretaries in the front office last year and immediately began going the extra mile for our school. She is positive, reliable, and always goes above and beyond the call of duty. Ms. Cannon not only expertly completes the tasks required of her job, but she also is willing to talk with students who need help, jump in as a sub if we have an unfilled position, and always makes everyone who comes into the office feel cared about. Ms. Cannon has been a wonderful addition to our campus over the past 2 years and we are so lucky to have her.
Linda Frederickson - Volunteer
For those who don’t know, Ms. Fredrickson was our BCE school librarian for 18 years! Although she retired 5 years ago, she continues to gift us with her positivity and expertise as both a regular substitute and consistent volunteer in our library. Ms. Fredrickson inspires others with her love and knowledge of books, theatrical storytelling, and her natural ability to connect with students. She is often seen helping students, pulling books for instructional units and displays, cataloging books, and decorating the library with her daughter, Ms. Ricter. Every year, she helps with Book Fair planning, and gathering decorations, and dedicates her entire week to making our Book Fair a success. She helps with Makerspace and Culture Fest by prepping materials, setting up the Global Village, assisting with sessions and so much more! For all these reasons and more, Ms. Frederickson deserves to be honored with an Eanespiration award.
Traci Lepak - Parent Volunteer
Ms. Lepak is truly a BCE hero. She is truly an asset to our campus and does everything with integrity and grace. First and foremost, she does the jobs that no one else is willing to do. Twice a year she cleans out the lost and found and even takes items home to wash and dry. If items are left for over 6 months, she donates them to local charities. She sits on our CLT committee and represents the parents of our Special Education program. She is also a child advocate, instrumental in the Best Buddies program. Ms. Lepak's specialty is giving tours of BCE. She meets with those interested in our school and walks them through so thoroughly answering questions and providing insight and education about our school. She often sits at the front desk and covers the office-answering phone calls, and doors, handling Smart Tag and Raptor, etc. She is calm and pleasant to work with. Ms. Lepak is a former Booster Club president, consistent parent volunteer, and has made a HUGE impact on Barton Creek Elementary. Thank you!
Lincoln & Christina Stahl - Parent Volunteers
When the going gets tough as a teacher and you need to remember the good people that are around you, you need to look no further than Mr. and Ms. Stahl. They are constantly contributing to our school community in ways that make teachers feel supported, valued and heard. They have gone above and beyond with their generosity and willingness to make a difference for others. It is not only inspiring for the staff but sets a great example of kindness and willingness to give when you can to others. This year, Christina spent hours and went completely above and beyond to make sure Mrs. Porter had a baby shower when the rain washed us out. BCE appreciates everything these amazing volunteers do and we feel their positive impact each and every day. Thank you, Mr. & Ms. Stahl.