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.

Impact Award Recipient for March 2023

Meredith Whaley, English Teacher, Dulles High School

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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.

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.

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.”

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.