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Impact Award
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Fort Bend ISD is excited to introduce its new employee recognition initiative, Impact Award. The purpose is to highlight District employees who show up each day and shine their brightest light!
This campaign allows employees at all levels to be recognized for their great efforts, selfless acts and commitment to kindness. It is our way of saying we see you and appreciate you!
Impact Award recipients will be recognized at regular board meetings, receive social media shout-outs, a website mention and possibly be featured in the FBISD Magazine.
To submit someone for consideration of the Impact Award. Please fill out this nomination form.
Impact Award Recipients
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Deanna Duran Alvarado
Impact Award Recipient for September 2023
Deanna Duran Alvarado - Manager of Events, Customer Service and Recognitions
FBISD Manager of Events, Customer Service and Recognitions Deanna Duran Alvarado is the district’s September 2023 Impact Award winner.
She was selected for her unwavering dedication, loyalty, and consistently excellent top-notch performance for the past 19 years. Her professional journey started as a paraprofessional, then an executive assistant and she is now the Manager of Events, Customer Service and Recognitions.
Deanna is the “show runner” for the district’s graduations - attending to every detail, large and small. She is also the lead organizer of the district’s Staff Service Awards, Teacher of the Year banquet, and Recognitions at board meetings. Additionally, she co-leads professional development seminars for the district’s paraprofessionals and receptionists.
Not only is Deanna a long-serving Fort Bend ISD staffer, she is also a product of this district – having attended Lakeview Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School and Kempner High School. Her family has deep, proud generational roots in this community.
Deanna told us she approaches her job with this attitude: “Give me a project and I will run with it!”
For her steadfast dedication, commitment, loyalty and exemplary performance over the course of two decades, Deanna Duran Alvarado was awarded this month’s Impact Award.
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Jesse Sowells
Impact Award Recipient for May 2023
Jesse Sowells, Special Education teacher, Elkins High School
Elkins High School Special Education teacher Jesse Sowells is the May Impact Award recipient in recognition of his outstanding commitment to his students and colleagues.
“I am truly honored and blessed to have been nominated and receive the Impact Award,” Sowells said. “I do what I do on a daily basis at Elkins HS because I love teaching the students, supporting the parents, and it’s a pleasure working with the administration and staff.”
Elkins HS Special Education nurse Diane Clark nominated Sowells because he consistently goes above and beyond, offering assistance and support to those in need.
“His devotion to his students and coworkers shines through his selfless actions,” Clark said. He consistently checks in on the FLASH class and offers his support when we are shorthanded, no matter how busy he may be.”
Sowells has served FBISD for 18 years. Currently, he is the EHS Special Education Department Chair, provides in-class support to students and acts as a mentor to new teachers and staff, all while keeping a smile on his face.
“Mr. Sowells is a true asset to the SPED Department,” Clark said. “Receiving this award is a testament to his extraordinary dedication and selflessness.” -
Donna Conrad
Impact Award Recipient for April 2023
Donna Conrad, Executive Assistant, Sartartia Middle School
Fort Bend ISD’s administration team presented the family of Sartartia Middle School’s former Executive Assistant Donna Conrad with the district’s April Impact Award in honor of the lasting impact she left on her coworkers and students.
Conrad passed away on April 7th after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Sartartia Middle School Principal Cholly Oglesby nominated Conrad for the award.
“Donna taught me how to be a principal, but more importantly how to be a better friend, mother, wife and all around, a better human,” Oglesby said. “I know she also made a positive impact on at least five principals before me. We all feel the impact of her loss. It has warmed my heart to speak to many FBISD employees and vendors this week that share the same sentiments.”Conrad worked at Sartartia Middle School for 16 years in various roles and rose to the position of Executive Assistant. During her tenure at the school, she served with five principals including Oglesby, Dr. Jennifer Nichols (2012-2016), Ginger Carabine (2011-2012), Tom Thompson (2010-2011) and Dr. Sara Thurman (2007-2010).
“Donna's legacy will continue on through the love and kindness that she's shown us all,” Oglesby said.
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Meredith Whaley
Impact Award Recipient for March 2023
Meredith Whaley, English Teacher, Dulles High School
Leaders from Fort Bend ISD made a surprise presentation to this month’s Impact Award winner, Dulles High School English teacher Meredith Whaley, in her classroom this week.
Whaley was nominated by one of her students for her steadfast kindness.
“Ms. Whaley’s room is a safe haven for students who struggle with the chaos of school or need someone to listen and understand them,” Dulles High School student Hannah Thomas said. “She provides that one hour of relief during the school day with a relaxing environment and a productive classroom.”
Whaley keeps snacks in her classroom for students who forget their lunch. On more than one occasion, Hannah said she witnessed Whaley offer her own lunch when snacks ran out.“Personally, Ms. Whaley has been the reason I have gotten through certain hard days,” Hannah said. “I can say without a doubt, she is the perfect person for this award.”
Whaley began her teaching career at Fort Bend ISD three years ago during the pandemic.
"I am truly honored and humbled to have received the Impact Award. Since starting my teaching career during the pandemic, I, like most teachers, have constantly wondered if I am having any positive effects on my students. While the award is encouraging, the fact that it was student nominated was even more meaningful. I am thankful to my students for the nomination and thankful to all the staff at Dulles High School who have supported me and helped me grow as an educator," Whaley said.
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EJ Gonsalves
Impact Award Recipient for February 2023
Officer Elisama "EJ" Gonsalves, School Resource Officer, Fort Bend ISD Police | James Reese Career and Technical Education Center
Officer Elisama "EJ" Gonsalves was awarded this month’s Fort Bend ISD Impact Award for the difference she makes on her campus, in her department and throughout the entire district.
“EJ embodies our department’s philosophy of building relationships in multiple ways,” Fort Bend ISD Police Chief David Rider said. “She is a true servant leader.”
Gonsalves serves as the school resource officer at the James Reese Career and Technical Education Center and actively works with the administration to ensure the safety of students and staff.
As a field training officer, she provides mentorship and training to new officers when they join the district. She assists police officers on the training simulator and during firearms qualifications.
Gonsalves has been instrumental in carrying on the legacy of former FBISD Police Sergeant Richard Frankie. Shortly before he passed away, Frankie created a program to initiate positive interactions between the FBISD Police Department and elementary students. Gonsalves keeps the vision alive by visiting campuses wearing a dog costume and engaging with students. The dog is affectionately named “Frankie.”
In addition, she volunteers in the mentorship reading program at Hunters Glen Elementary School.
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Jessica Escobar
Impact Award Recipient for January 2023
Jessica Escobar, Lead Custodian, Kempner High School
Kempner High School Principal Danielle Jackson nominated Escobar because she is a great example of what it means to persevere and never give up on a dream.
Escobar earned her GED and is currently enrolled in evening classes, alongside her son, at Houston Community College with plans to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“She has allowed the whole school to be part of her educational journey,” said Jackson. “In December she was named to the honor roll and when we announced it over the sound system our whole building cheered.”
Jackson credits Escobar’s tireless dedication to her job, students and staff as a key reason the high school is successful.
“She makes an impact at KHS and FBISD every day,” said Jackson.
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Mike Bennett
Impact Award Recipient for December 2022
Mike Bennett, Assistant Principal, First Colony Middle School
Mike Bennett was awarded Fort Bend ISD’s (FBISD) December Impact award for the tremendous impact he makes in the lives of his students, staff and community.
FCMS Principal Courtney Muceus nominated Bennett because he consistently puts others’ needs before his own.
“He is dedicated to supporting everyone no matter their need and whether it falls under his job description or not,” Muceus said. “Mr. Bennett is always visible on our campus and responsive to the needs of the staff and students.”
Bennett takes time to learn each student’s name and interests so he can build strong relationships with them.
“The connections Mr. Bennett makes with his students, particularly students who may have difficult problems going on in their lives outside of school, is remarkable,” she said.
For example, Bennett accompanied a student to the emergency room and remained until parents arrived. He arranged consistent transportation for a student who frequently missed school and he worked with the district’s Social Emotional Learning and Comprehensive Health Department to set up one-on-one counseling for a student in need of mental health support.
He supports teachers, often collaborating with district-level departments to obtain resources they need for their classrooms. And he is also a large advocate for campus custodial and cafeteria staff on a regular basis.
Bennett has served FBISD his entire career. He was a teacher and coach at Sugar Land and Fort Settlement middle schools before becoming an assistant principal at FCMS.
Bennett is a graduate of FBISD, having attended Sugar Mill Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School and Kempner High School -- the same path of schools his children currently attend. -
Jigisha Doshi
Impact Award Recipient for November 2022
Jigisha Doshi, Dedicated Parent and Volunteer
Doshi has served as a coach for Destination Imagination teams for more than 10 years, simultaneously supporting both a middle and high school team. Her teams routinely earn top placements in regional, state and global competitions and are recognized at FBISD Board meetings.
She is also part of the organization’s Gulf Coast executive board and the current president of Parents for Academic Excellence (PACE), a nonprofit organization that supports gifted and talented students.
“It has been an honor to be with our students,” Doshi said. “I love coaching kids and hearing their stories. Thank you so much for all the support you have given us.”
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Becky Luetkemeyer
Impact Award Recipient for October 2022
Becky Luetkemeyer, Special Education Paraprofessional, Leonetti Elementary School
Luetkemeyer worked for 22 years in special education.
Luetkemeyer was awarded for her record of building long-lasting, supportive relationships with her students and their families, and for having a strong track record of continuing to assist her students even after they have moved beyond the school system into more independent lives as young adults.
”I can wake up in a bad mood and I get to school and it's just a totally different atmosphere,” she said. “I learn way more from the students than they learn from me.”
Her nomination form detailed how Luetkemeyer is an inspiration not only to her students but to her colleagues also. She organizes family meetups and student outings to provide special needs families with opportunities to build lasting bonds with each other and assist her students in building friendships “past the walls of the classroom.”
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Carolyn Melton
Impact Award Recipient for September 2022
Carolyn Melton, Special Education Bus Monitor, Transportation Department
Carolyn Melton works in FBISD's Transportation Department. She has worked for the district 45 years – with perfect attendance for 44 of those years.
Melton has faithfully served the district as a monitor on FBISD buses that transport special needs students. She began working as a monitor when she was just a teenager, fresh out of high school.
She is known for being dependable, good-natured and staying cool under pressure.