LOCAL Houston | The City Guide April 2018 | Page 56

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE
Eugenio Kettelsen is my tennis instructor and he has
inspired me to be consistent with a sport for the first
time in my life at times when I felt like giving up or
discouraged. He has encouraged me to have fun
instead of beating myself up when I miss a ball. He
always has a wonderful attitude that has helped
to brighten my day when I have been down. This
has helped me gain confidence in sports I did not
have prior to lessons with him. Eugenio is always
reminding me of my goal to play in a league and
my progress to work towards that goal.”
-- Lauren Ellerbeck
“Mr. LaFredrick D. Smith is a teacher at Shadydale
Elementary. To others, teaching is just a career,
but to Mr. Smith, it is his life. Inside and outside
the classroom, he is known to be a mentor, coach,
active listener and motivator to his students. He
goes above and beyond in making sure all his
students’ needs are met. This inspiring young
man not only pushes his students to be their best,
he also motivates other teachers to be their best
through his new book “Teach in the name of Love.”
Mr. Smith shows willingness to work and believes
in a task well done. He has a quiet disposition,
pleasant personality and opts for fairness in all his
dealings.”
-- Dwayne Heath Ellis
HOUSTON’S TOP
TEACHERS
LOCAL EDUCATORS WHO MAKE THE GRADE
FOR THIS MONTH’S FAMILY ISSUE, LOCAL HOUSTON ASKED READERS TO
SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR THEIR FAVORITE TEACHERS. RESPONSES CAME
FROM FAR AND WIDE, WITH INSPIRING STORIES, WARM MEMORIES AND
COMPELLING REASONS TO HONOR THE FOLLOWING EDUCATORS AS SOME
OF THE BEST AROUND.
“Mr. Eugenio Kettelsen (8th grade) is an amazing teacher, great motivator
and an excellent coach. He is skilled and has great techniques. I would
highly recommend him for anyone beginning this sport to skilled players
wanting to improve and advance to the next level. He is always on time
and reliable. You can count on him!”
-- Maryam Anderson
“I’d like to share my experience with my son’s tennis teacher, Eugenio
Kettelsen. Eugenio runs ETalent Prestige Tennis at local tennis courts in
Houston and gives private and group lessons. In a relatively short period
of time, Eugenio has improved my son’s tennis game as well as his gen-
eral fitness level and self-confidence. Mr. Kettelsen is patient and caring
and the results have been tangible. I’m writing this email to help spread
the word about Eugenio Kettelsen if any of your readers are looking for a
good value, experienced and helpful tennis instructor.”
-- Ted Sprigg
“I’d like to nominate MS. SANER from Harvard
Elementary in HISD. Ms. Saner is my son’s 2nd
grade teacher this year. She is a dedicated,
caring teacher who truly loves her students. I was
in education for 12 years and worked with many
teachers and know when I come across someone
who is truly passionate about teaching. Ms. Saner
not only teaches her students academics, but also
to be caring people. Her classroom is a safe place
for the students and they are not afraid to share
their ideas or feelings. She builds up their confi-
dence and encourages them to do their best. She
makes sure to meet the needs of all students. At
dismissal, her students run up to give her a hug as
they leave for the day. I know we are lucky to have
her as our son’s teacher this year and we would
love for her to be recognized. She deserves it!”
-- Angelica Medrano
“I’d love to nominate my son’s 2nd grade teacher,
Jennifer Saner. Mrs. Saner is the kindest, warmest
teacher we have had. She encourages her stu-
dents to try their hardest and loves each of her
students for who they are. She shares her own
stories so that the students can feel comfortable in
sharing their own stories without judgment. I also
love that she is just the right amount of stern with
them because at the end of the day they are there
to learn. She sees the future in them!”
-- Evelin Ahmed
“Jordan Grant cultivates a positive classroom envi-
ronment for her 1st grade students at St. Jerome.
She encourages her students and cheers for their
success while simultaneously holding a consistent
discipline and instruction standards. She has a
consistent lesson plan and weekly test schedule to
maintain an effective classroom management style.
Her weekly tests and quizzes hold the first graders
accountable and set the foundation for key study
and time management skills. She maintains an
open communication with parents and keeps them
informed. She also nurtures and spends additional
time with her students who need special one-on-
one instruction.”
-- Kathleen Hotze
“Mrs. (Gisi) Sanders from Frost Elementary, my son's
2nd grade math and science teacher, has been a
blessing to us! We moved last year because my
son was being bullied. He developed anxiety and
didn‘t trust teachers. Mrs. Sanders has completely
changed the way my son feels about school. He
loves going, has excelled and even was nominat-
ed for GT and won 1st place in the science expo. I
am so grateful for her for helping to bring back my
boy to his old self! We are truly blessed to have
her as his teacher!”
-- Ashlee Blodgett
“Taylor Hunt, 9th grade English teacher at Klein
Oak High, is the most caring, dedicated educa-
tor. Three years in at Klein ISD, she has quickly
become a favorite among the student body. In
November 2017, she was in a serious car acci-
dent, and was in a coma for three days due to a
traumatic brain injury. When she woke up, she
immediately asked about her kids, and who was
taking care of her classes. She cares for them like
her own children. She returned in January, faster
than anyone expected, back to the classes she
adores, and who adore her. She is an inspiration
to the children, and anyone who meets her.”
-- Adams Holloway
“I STRONGLY encourage you to honor my 4th
grade teacher, Ms. Jennifer Murrill. I am decades (2
to be exact) removed from being in her classroom,
but I still remember and acknowledge her impact
on my life and have no doubt she continues to
inspire her students today. I moved to the States
from Iran in 4th grade and attended Frostwood
Elementary School in Memorial. As one can imag-
ine, it was a tough adjustment. Having been a stu-
dious child back home, I felt ashamed of my lack
of language skills. Knowing a total of 10 words in
English, I was unable to communicate with my new
teacher and classmates. I was in ESL for much of
the days and could barely understand what I was
expected to learn when I returned to my regular
classroom. On top of that, I was being bullied by
classmates who were not used to diversity in their
school. Ms. Murrill noticed when I began to stay
silent and not eat my lunches. She not only con-
nected with my mom to express her concerns, she
spoke with my classmates who began to under-
stand our differences better. Things turned around
for me and suddenly I began to enjoy school
again. In fact I learned my new language so
quickly with Ms. Murrill's constant encouragement
that by 6th grade I was enrolled in honors English.
When I became a journalist for KPRC, I was proud
to connect with her and let her know how much her
encouragement meant to me as a 10-year-old and
how it continues to inspire me today.
-- Hasti Taghi
“I would like to recognize two outstanding edu-
cators: Assistant Principal Natalie Hoskins and
Counselor Deana Remington from Passmore
Elementary in Alvin ISD. These two amazing ladies
have been a safe place for my son in the aftermath
of the trauma that he has endured. Early in the
school year, my son disclosed that he was being
sexually abused by a neighbor. As we struggled
to find our footing and figure out what to do and
where to turn, these two incredible educators were
a constant source of love and support for my son
and our entire family. They have provided a safe
place for my son to be when he feels overwhelmed
at school and have been his biggest cheerleaders
on his road from victim to survivor. My son would
not be where he is today in his recovery without
these two ladies’ constant love and support.
-- Michaelanne Bryant
“
56
L O C A L | 4 . 2018
4 . 2018 | L O C A L
57