Barton Creek ES EANESpiration Winners, 2026
Educational Impact
Those who display leadership and commitment to the district by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact.
Farah Abuhantash, PE Teacher
Blending events and school cultures of two wonderful schools this year added a level of complexity to everyone's jobs. When a request was made for a staff member to help coordinate the blended Culture Fest event this year, Farah energetically stepped up to ensure this important event continued. Farah dedicated many hours each week on top of her regular teaching responsibilities to ensure that the blended event carried on the rich traditions from VVE and BCE. The event was wonderful, the students were thoroughly engaged and every detail was carefully thought through and planned with care. Farah is the epitome of a great teammate and we are so lucky to have her energy and compassion at BCE.
Ella Coffey, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Coffey is an exceptional teacher who has quickly made a profound impact on her students and school community. Even when she has challenging situations, she approaches every day with grace, resilience, and a positive attitude. She has supported her students in making meaningful progress not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. She creates a classroom environment that is joyful, engaging, and supportive, where students feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn. Her ability to make learning fun while maintaining high expectations is truly remarkable. Ms. Coffey consistently goes above and beyond to support her students and colleagues, always willing to step in wherever she is needed. We are incredibly proud to call her a teammate and friend!
Colleen Daly, Life Skills TA
Ms. Daly is an educator to her core. She is the definition of a teammate, and sees every single students’ potential. She does not hesitate to jump in where needed, and handles every situation with grace and tact. She is intuitive in supporting students and teachers, quietly taking care of things that are not necessarily her responsibility. Not to mention, she manages the BCE enrichment world beautifully. She is always available for direction or to help problem-solve. She is an invaluable resource!
Sissi O'Reilly, Parent Volunteer
Ms. O'Reilly’s exceptional leadership, commitment, and lasting influence within our district is remarkable. Her work reflects a clear commitment to strengthening educational outcomes and dedication to meaningful growth across our school community. She is always willing to collaborate, brainstorm, and share thoughtful educational insights that strengthen programs and support student success. Her positive, noticeable, and significant impact is felt by colleagues and students alike, making her truly deserving of recognition for their inspirational leadership and unwavering commitment to education.
Alex Saxon, Third-Grade Teacher
Ms. Saxon consistently goes above and beyond to create a fun, engaging, and welcoming classroom where all students feel supported. She dedicates an incredible amount of time and effort to ensure student success and builds strong, meaningful relationships with her class. She has taken on the responsibility of planning science, ensuring that instruction is thoughtful, aligned, and engaging for all students. Along with that comes managing a large amount of materials, and she has dedicated time and talent to carefully inventory and organize resources so they are easily accessible for her team. Her proactive approach, attention to detail, and willingness to support others have made a meaningful difference in both teacher efficiency and student learning.
Kaitlin Wagner, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Wagner has a natural ability to build strong, meaningful connections. This year, she took on additional responsibilities, including serving as a reading interventionist, and has continued to exceed expectations in every role. She approaches each challenge with dedication, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to student growth. Her ability to tailor instruction and provide targeted support has led to meaningful progress for many students.
Ms. Wagner fosters exceptional relationships with parents, students, and staff. She is highly respected by her colleagues, trusted by families, and deeply valued by the students she serves. Her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment make her an outstanding educator who is truly deserving of this recognition.
Jinglu Wang, Parent Volunteer
For the past year, Ms. Wang has served as the parent representative for the BCE Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). In this role, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting Emergent Bilingual (EB) students and ensuring their needs are thoughtfully and effectively addressed.
She generously volunteers her time to attend both beginning and mid-year assessment discussions, often during the school day. Her flexibility, reliability, and willingness to support the campus in any capacity make her an invaluable member of the LPAC team. She approaches every meeting with professionalism, objectivity, and a genuine desire to learn, taking care to understand policies and procedures while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Ms. Wang’s impact on Barton Creek Elementary and the district is both significant and lasting. We are truly grateful for her dedication and proud to recognize her contributions to our students and community.
Good Samaritan
One who displays compassion, selflessness, or courage by taking initiative.
Ashley Applewhite Amsel, Ashley Troy & Jane Laczek, Parent Volunteers
These three outstanding parent volunteers are nominated for their compassion, selflessness, and dedication to our school community. Throughout the entire year, they have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to plan and organize the 5th-grade graduation celebration, ensuring that our students have a meaningful and memorable send-off.
From coordinating the on-campus graduation details to planning the after-school celebration, they have devoted countless hours to organizing, problem-solving, and bringing creative ideas to life. They’ve even generously provided refreshments for staff, which is a welcome treat! Their willingness to give their time and energy for the benefit of our students reflects true compassion and generosity. Because of their dedication, our 5th graders will end their elementary years feeling celebrated and valued, and our entire community is better because of their selfless service.
Timothy Fang, Westlake HS Student
Timothy gave back to BCE in a big way by working extremely hard to improve our school grounds. He and his dedicated team took the time to collaborate with several Eanes ISD employees over several weeks to plan and prepare for the project. After adding a cement wall and replacing the wood base, he then planted a beautiful garden by the back doors, dramatically improving the entire feel. The staff, students and community have noticed and are beyond grateful for the hard work and dedication it took to make such a positive impact. We cannot thank you enough!
Suzie Morse, Parent Volunteer
Ms. Morse helps all over BCE and almost every day - in the lunchroom, at events, in the library, as a room mom, and always organizing everything so thoughtfully and keeping all the parents on track. She is always there with a willing spirit and a kind smile.
As a former teacher, she just gets it, and it shows in everything she’s done. Our year has felt so smooth because of her, and we’re so grateful for all the time and care she’s poured into our classes. Ms. Morse brings a thoughtful and proactive approach to everything she does, always looking for ways to lighten the load for our staff. Her selflessness, compassion, and steady presence make a meaningful difference in the daily life of our school.
Miller Peoples, Westlake HS Student
Miller has taken time on several occasions to come back to BCE and meet with the staff and students participating in our Best Buddies Program. Miller is a wonderful communicator and presenter and the students love it when he comes to share his experiences, talk about his time at BCE and share information about the program. We are so proud that such a kind, hard working and dedicated leader represents the BCE Blue Jays and we love when he comes back "home". Thank you, Miller!
Innovation
Those who implement a creative or innovative program, teaching method, cost-savings, etc.
Cafeteria Team: Kailey Hilliard, Kesha McCowan, Regina Sanders, Brandon Studer & Jane Varela
When the challenge of blending two campuses arose, this group didn’t just meet it, they elevated it. By creatively introducing a third serving line, they ensured every student was served efficiently and with care. And here’s the real magic: through their seamless teamwork and thoughtful execution, they made that extra line unnecessary in no time at all.
Not a single student missed a lunch, and every student felt seen, valued, and appreciated along the way. Beyond the serving lines, this team shines through their consistent communication with families, proactively addressing concerns with professionalism, warmth, and a genuine commitment to their school community. Their collaboration, creativity, and above-and-beyond spirit make them more than deserving of the Innovation Award. They don’t just serve meals, they serve excellence every single day!"
Canvas LMS Early Adopters Team: Nicole Abreus, Kaitlin Bisbee, Stephanie Brock & Andrea Hughes
These early adopters of the Canvas learning management system have put so much into making sure our staff will be ready for this big change next year. They attended multiple trainings throughout the year with a cohort from across the district to learn the platform and bring it back to our campus. They shared valuable insight from the elementary perspective, helping make sure Canvas is practical, student-friendly, and a good fit for our learners. We appreciate their willingness to try something new and problem-solve along the way. Their experience will be invaluable as we roll out the platform across the district next year! We’re lucky to have them on our team!
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.
Maureen Birmingham, Substitute Teacher
Ms. Birmingham is a talented and reliable substitute who is professional and willing to chip in wherever and whenever she's able. She can competently and compassionately manage a classroom of kindergarteners, execute a dodgeball game as a gym coach, and engage 5th graders with respect and humor. What truly sets Maureen apart, though, is her knowledge and prioritization of safety. Whether she's guiding students through a drill, escorting a child to the nurse, or chaperoning a field trip, Maureen has demonstrated calm and compassion in each situation and has upheld our rigorous district and campus policies to ensure student safety. Thank you, Maureen, for being part of our BCE family and helping to make our school such a special place!
Veneza Bremner, Police Officer
Officer Veneza makes a positive impact on our school community each day. She is consistently kind, friendly, and approachable, helping students and families feel safe and welcomed from the moment they arrive. She goes above and beyond her role, always stepping in to help wherever she’s needed, and takes the time to build meaningful relationships with those around her. Her intentional effort to get to know staff and students, and the way she fully integrates herself into the life of the school, makes her an invaluable part of our campus.
Kevin Langford, Special Education TA
Mr. Langford is the most extraordinarily kind, patient, caring and positive teacher. Every student looks up to him (quite literally) and all admire and adore him. He consistently models the well-mannered behavior he expects from his students, treating each individual with the same high level of dignity he receives in return. This "respect-first" philosophy has created a safe, structured, and nurturing environment where students are eager to excel. His unwavering positive attitude has not only improved student morale but has also fostered a more collaborative and empathetic classroom community. Mr. Langford’s commitment to his students’ personal and behavioral growth is a credit to BCE and we are so thankful for him.
Liana Lowrey, Substitute Teacher
We are so grateful for Ms. Lowrey’s commitment and reliability in subbing at BCE. We can always count on her to step in and support our campus by filling absences and providing consistent coverage for teachers during learning walks, coaching sessions, and other responsibilities. Her dependability and willingness to help wherever needed make a meaningful impact on both our staff and students. She is such a hero for our school and we are thankful for her commitment and dedication!
Christopher Rodriguez, Custodian
Mr. Rodriguez goes above and beyond his job duties daily. He is always willing and ready to help with any task with a smile on his face. His response to any request is, "I'll be right there." He is responsive, kind and a great person and teammate. We are thankful for everything he does to make our school feel warm and inviting and always putting that extra oomph into everything he does.