For Highlands Elementary students, some of the biggest victories in the classroom can begin with a simple moment: finally understanding a difficult lesson, finding the confidence to try something new or realizing that something once thought impossible is suddenly within reach.

Those are the moments that have kept Freyja Wilkinson coming back to the classroom throughout a career spanning two decades. Now, her work with students and the role she has quickly taken on within the Highlands Elementary community are being recognized by New Caney ISD.

Wilkinson, a German teacher at Highlands Elementary School, has been selected as the district’s September honoree through Gold Star, a new teacher recognition initiative sponsored by Community Resource Credit Union. During the 2026-2027 school year, one educator from each New Caney ISD campus is slated to receive Gold Star recognition for outstanding work.

For families across New Caney ISD, the recognition offers a closer look at the educators behind the everyday classroom experiences that shape students long after a school year ends.

A New Face at Highlands Elementary With 20 Years of Experience

Although the 2026-2027 school year is Wilkinson’s first at Highlands Elementary, she arrived with 20 years of experience in education.

After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, Wilkinson pursued alternative teacher certification and began her career in Aldine ISD. Her teaching experience has included third grade, fourth grade and kindergarten, with positions in Aldine ISD, Humble ISD, SUMC and New Caney ISD’s Bens Branch Elementary before joining Highlands Elementary.

Her decision to become a teacher grew from a desire to work directly with children and have a meaningful role in their lives.

“I wanted a career where I could work with and make a difference in the lives of children,” Wilkinson said. “Once I stepped into the classroom, I knew I had found where I was meant to be. I fell in love with teaching, building relationships with students, and helping children learn and grow. Nineteen years later, I still feel grateful that I chose this amazing career!”

That path has taken Wilkinson through multiple grade levels, school districts and classrooms. At Highlands Elementary, it has now brought her into a role teaching German while becoming part of a new school community.

Making an Early Impact at Highlands Elementary

Wilkinson may be in her first year at Highlands Elementary, but school leadership says her impact has already been noticed.

“In a short time, Freyja has become an important part of our HES community,” Head of School Rodree Carlile said. “She brings passion to her work every day and consistently demonstrates a can-do, team-player mindset. Whether supporting students, collaborating with colleagues, or stepping in wherever she is needed, Freyja contributes positively to our campus. Her enthusiasm, willingness to help, and commitment to our students have helped strengthen our campus culture and make her deserving of this recognition.”

That description speaks to a part of education families do not always see. A teacher’s influence can extend beyond lessons and assignments into collaboration with colleagues, helping elsewhere on campus and contributing to the sense of community children experience when they walk through the school doors.

For Wilkinson, however, the heart of the work remains the students.

Why the Small Victories Matter

Wilkinson says she especially values creating a welcoming classroom, watching children develop new skills and sharing in the moments when students reach goals they once doubted they could achieve.

“The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing a student accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do,” Wilkinson said. “Whether it is learning to read, solving a challenging problem, speaking a new language, or simply gaining confidence, those moments make teaching so special. For me, the greatest reward is knowing that I have made a difference in a child’s life. Those moments remind me why I became a teacher and why I continue to love what I do.”

For parents, those breakthroughs can be just as meaningful. Academic progress matters, but so does the confidence a child carries home after discovering that persistence paid off.

That connection between academic growth, relationships and confidence is part of what makes teacher recognition programs meaningful at the neighborhood level. They give families an opportunity to learn more about the people working with students every day and the experiences that brought those educators into their classrooms.

Gold Star Brings Teacher Recognition to Every NCISD Campus

New Caney ISD introduced Gold Star for the 2026-2027 school year as a way to highlight educators making an impact across the district. The initiative is sponsored by Community Resource Credit Union, and the district says one teacher from each NCISD campus will be recognized during the school year.

For Wilkinson, being selected carries additional meaning because she sees the work taking place around her each day.

“Receiving the Gold Star is truly an incredible honor,” Wilkinson said. “I am fortunate to work alongside an amazing group of teachers who work diligently every day to support and inspire the students at Highlands Elementary. There are so many talented and deserving teachers here, which makes this recognition feel even more special. I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a wonderful school community, and I am truly honored to be recognized among so many outstanding educators. This recognition means more to me than I can put into words!”

A Recognition That Reaches Beyond One Classroom

The September Gold Star recognition celebrates Wilkinson individually, but her response also points back to the larger team at Highlands Elementary and the educators working throughout New Caney ISD.

For students, teachers can become some of the adults they remember long after elementary school. They are there for the difficult assignments, the first attempts, the mistakes and, eventually, the moments when something finally clicks.

After 20 years in education, Wilkinson still finds meaning in those moments. And during her first year at Highlands Elementary, the New Caney ISD Gold Star program is giving the broader community a chance to recognize the work behind them.

Community Resource Credit Union’s sponsorship supports the district’s Gold Star initiative and its effort to recognize educators across New Caney ISD during the 2026-2027 school year.

As additional Gold Star teachers are announced throughout the school year, stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more stories celebrating the educators, students and schools shaping the New Caney ISD community.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

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.

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