Education

For students, families, and teachers across Spring ISD, the strength of a school often begins with its leadership. This week, that leadership was on full display as two campus principals were surprised with celebrations recognizing the profound impact they have made on their school communities.

Spring Independent School District announced that Latoya Patterson, principal of Hirsch Elementary School, and Laquisha Knowles, principal of Wells Middle School, have been named the district’s 2025–2026 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year. The recognition highlights the leadership, dedication, and commitment both educators bring to their campuses and to the broader Spring ISD community.

The announcement was delivered in a way that reflected the spirit of both schools — with cheering students, proud families, and emotional moments that underscored just how meaningful these leaders are to those around them.

A Surprise Celebration for Hirsch Elementary’s Latoya Patterson

At Hirsch Elementary School in Spring ISD, Principal Latoya Patterson arrived expecting an ordinary school day. Instead, she walked into a packed gymnasium filled with her family, colleagues, and enthusiastic fifth-grade students celebrating her selection as the district’s Elementary Principal of the Year.

The surprise carried even greater emotional weight because Patterson had come to school that morning feeling under the weather, making the unexpected recognition even more memorable.

Reflecting on the year and the community that surrounds her, Patterson made it clear she sees the honor as a shared achievement.

“I feel like this has probably been one of the most challenging school years for me,” Patterson said. “We’ve done a lot of work trying to get our kids where they need to be. We understand the stakes are high, but I also have a great team of teachers, great kids, great families, and my leadership team is second to none.”

Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar told the students gathered for the celebration that Patterson’s leadership has helped create the kind of environment where strong teaching and student growth can thrive.

“I always say that great leadership sets the foundation for high-quality teaching and learning, and Ms. Patterson truly exemplifies the qualities of a great leader,” Cuellar said. “Today is especially meaningful because we’re not only celebrating her as our Elementary Principal of the Year, but she once walked the halls of this very same school as a student. Spring ISD is incredibly proud of her, and this recognition is very well deserved.”

That full-circle moment — from student to award-winning campus leader — reflects the deep connection Patterson has with the Hirsch Elementary community.

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Wells Middle School Celebrates Laquisha Knowles’ Transformational Leadership

Across the district at Wells Middle School, a similar scene unfolded as Principal Laquisha Knowles was caught completely off guard by a spirited student celebration.

Students lined the hallway waving pom-poms as Knowles was escorted to a campus assembly where teachers, family members, and district leaders waited to announce she had been named Spring ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year.

For Knowles, the recognition was less about personal achievement and more about the collective work happening at Wells.

“This win is much bigger than me,” Knowles said. “While I thank you all for it, this is a win for Wells. We’ve accomplished so much together in five years.”

Knowles also used the moment to highlight the people who help make progress possible every day on campus.

“To my students—thank you. Every day you show up and give it everything you have,” Knowles said. “My teachers—I could not do this without them. This is not just Ms. Knowles, this is everyone. I stand on their shoulders every day to make sure we are providing our students with the best possibilities and preparing them for the future and for jobs they may not even know exist yet.”

Superintendent Cuellar praised Knowles for the lasting impact she has made on the Wells Middle School community.

“This recognition is not just about honoring a terrific leader for a single day, but about the years of impact she has had on the entire Wells community,” Cuellar said. “She is a life changer who has transformed the lives of students and uplifted the incredible staff at Wells every single day.”

He also noted the leadership qualities that have helped drive progress at the campus.

“You are passionate, dedicated, and fearless,” Cuellar said to Knowles. “You have an unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for every child, and a will to win that is helping Wells reach new heights.”

How Spring ISD Selects Its Principals of the Year

Each year, Spring Independent School District selects one elementary and one secondary principal for its Principal of the Year honors through a rigorous evaluation process.

The selection includes a review of campus performance data, leadership observations, and feedback from district leaders and members of the school community. Finalists are then chosen and recognized for their ability to foster academic growth, build strong school culture, and lead teams that support student success.

The district also maintains a longstanding tradition of surprising the winners with campus announcements, turning the moment into a celebration shared with students and staff.

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What Comes Next for the Award Winners

Following their recognition at the district level, both Patterson and Knowles will move on to represent Spring ISD in the Region 4 Principal of the Year competition, where campus leaders from across the region are considered for further honors.

They will also be formally celebrated during the district’s annual Spring ISD Employee Recognition Banquet in May, where educators and staff members who make a difference across the district are recognized.

For many students and families, the moment served as a reminder that strong leadership inside schools helps shape the opportunities students experience every day — from the classroom to their future careers.

And for the Hirsch Elementary and Wells Middle communities, the celebrations were also about something simple but powerful: recognizing the educators who show up every day determined to make a difference.

Stay connected with updates about Spring ISD schools, education initiatives, and community developments by following future coverage from My Neighborhood News.

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.