Spring Branch Independent School District and Sterling McCall Group teamed up to celebrate this year’s winners of the Teacher of the Year Award. Katie McCraken, Librarian at Meadow Wood Elementary School and Crystal Fain, Stratford High School head tennis coach and geometry teacher were each surprised with a brand-new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, courtesy of Sterling McCall Hyundai, to drive for the summer.
“We have amazing teachers at Spring Branch and every single one of them are deserving of this award,” said Jennifer Blaine, Superintendent of Schools for Spring ISD. “But these two teachers have risen to the occasion with the way they interact with our families and support our students.”
The elementary and secondary school teachers were honored with a surprise home visit that included flowers and balloons, along with the keys to their main prize, their new summer ride. Those helping to celebrate the teachers included Blaine, school administrators, and Mike Sullivan, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at Group 1 Automotive.
The two teachers will be able to enjoy their new Hyundai’s for the summer and return their cars at the beginning of the next school year. Blaine added that they are very grateful for Sterling McCall’s and Group 1’s partnership for making this year’s celebration memorable as the coronavirus crisis has kept students and teachers away from the classroom.
“They’re beautiful vehicles and we are so thankful for Sterling McCall’s support,” said Blaine. “We just think these two teachers are so deserving of this great prize.”
Despite the ‘socially distant’ nature of the celebration due to the ongoing crisis, Sullivan says he was thrilled to present this service award to these exemplary teachers.
“We’re excited to support Spring Branch ISD, who has a history of providing high level education throughout the community that benefits everyone,” Sullivan said.
Not wanting to let COVID-19 take away from a celebratory moment, Group 1 and Sterling McCall is proud to provide a small token of appreciation for furthering education both in and out of the classroom. It was and remains an honor to recognize the hard-working teachers of Spring Branch.
