Mayde Creek Elementary Teacher Wins New Car in Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
This week, Tiffany Cessna, the Rookie Teacher of the Year at Mayde Creek Elementary, experienced a delightful surprise. What seemed like a typical day in the classroom turned into a truly remarkable moment when she was announced as the winner of a brand new car in Shottenkirk Nissan Katy's Teacher Appreciation Giveaway.
Shottenkirk Nissan Katy invited members of the Katy community to nominate their favorite local teacher for the contest, which ran from August 26, 2023 to March 1, 2024. Cessna, a first-year teacher at Mayde Creek Elementary and Katy High School alumna, was chosen as the lucky winner of a Kicks S Crossover SUV by a panel of Katy leaders earlier this month.
Fresh off being named Rookie Teacher of the Year at Mayde Creek Elementary, Cessna received an astounding 78 nominations for the contest. The selection process was rigorous, with hundreds of local teachers nominated. However, despite the stiff competition, Cessna impressed the panel with her unwavering commitment to her students.
Tiffany Cessna receiving the keys to her new vehicle from Rick Francis, The contest was born out of a late-night conversation between Rick Francis, the executive/general manager of Shottenkirk Nissan Katy, and his wife, Brittany Francis. Eight months ago, the couple dreamed up the idea of giving a car away to a deserving teacher in the Katy area. Brittany's organization, Kintsukuori Ministries, International, also played a crucial role in bringing the dream to fruition alongside Shottenkirk Nissan Katy and the Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce.
During school hours, Cessna was surprised with her new ride, with the Francis', Erica Espich Scardino, co-founder of the Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce, Shottenkirk Nissan Katy staff, Mayde Creek Elementary staff, and even her students cheering her on.
Tiffany Cessna with her students upon learning that she won Shottenkirk Nissan Katy's Brittany Francis reflected on the event, saying, "The beautiful essays and entries… were all incredible. But this. This woman… she deserved this so much. Even her students were in tears in gratitude. It was the most precious moment I have ever seen.”
Cessna, who graduated from the University of Houston Victoria in 2023, was overjoyed and overwhelmed when she was informed she had won. Expressing her gratitude, she told Brittany Francis, "Y’all have literally changed my life. Words, or actions, could NEVER express how thankful I am for y’all. Thank you! I’m LOVING my new ride. Such a miracle!”
By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region. |
