Wilchester Principal Liz Goodman named TAEA School Principal of the Year
Spring Branch ISD
October 27, 2026
For Wilchester Elementary Principal Liz Goodman, supporting the arts extends beyond her campus.
From visual art to theater, band, choir, orchestra and color guard, she champions opportunities for students across Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) to discover their talents and pursue what they love.
That commitment has earned Goodman statewide recognition. The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) has named her its 2026 Texas School Principal of the Year, an honor presented annually to one principal in Texas who demonstrates exceptional support for art education and the visual arts.
Wilchester art teacher Stephanie Walton nominated Goodman for the award. Goodman was selected as one of three finalists before being named this year’s recipient.
“Liz is an incredible champion for the arts not only at our campus, Wilchester Elementary, but across numerous campuses in our district,” Walton said. “She is a true advocate for all things arts related!”
Walton said Goodman’s everyday leadership reflects the same priorities TAEA recognizes through its District of Distinction designation, including leadership and advocacy, student participation, community engagement and collaboration across subjects.
“Liz Goodman achieves these same goals every year without realizing they reflect our district’s objectives to become a District of Distinction,” Walton said. “She does all these things while promoting the Wilchester Elementary Art Program, SBISD Arts and more.”
The Principal of the Year Award recognizes an elementary, middle or high school principal who is not a TAEA member. Nominations include documentation demonstrating the principal’s support for visual arts education, such as letters, newsletters, photographs and other records.
Goodman’s recognition reflects the role campus leaders play in helping the arts thrive. Their support gives students opportunities to express themselves, build confidence and connect with their school community through creative experiences.
Goodman will receive the award during the first general session of TAEA’s annual conference on Friday, Nov. 13, in Galveston.
Congratulations to Principal Goodman and the Wilchester Elementary community on this statewide honor! TAEA Principal of the Year
A little fire. A lot of possibility. 🔥 Our students brought their curiosity and a little flair to Destination Success as they explored where their futures could take them. 📸 This is just one of so many great moments. Explore the full photo gallery.
Connect. Learn. Grow. 💙💛 SBISD families of students receiving special education services are invited to connect with educators and other families, explore resources and learn together.
☕ Oct. 29 | Coffee Connections: Building Connections | 9–10 a.m.
📚 Nov. 12 | Understanding the ARD Process and IEP | 5–6:30 p.m.
🤝 Dec. 7 | Community Safety | 9–11 a.m.
October and November events will be held at the West Support Center, 2100 Shadowdale Drive. December’s event will be held in the Stratford High School auditorium. Virtual options are available for November and December.
Questions? Contact Kyla Raygor at 713-251-1736.
Save the dates and join us! #SBISDProud
🌟 Shoutout to our CTE Ambassadors! We recently caught up with these students at Destination Success at the new Guthrie Center to hear their CTE stories. From discovering new interests to building skills for their futures, they shared what it’s like to be part of SBISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Thank you for sharing your experiences and helping other students see what’s possible! #SBISDProud #SBISDCTE
🎀 Serving meals and showing support! Shoutout to our School Nutrition Services (SNS) staff for going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! These photos capture our teams in action, caring for our students while showing support for everyone affected by breast cancer. Thank you for bringing heart to your work every day! 💗 #SBISDProud #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
🍂 Even our superintendent got into the spirit of “Fall in Love with CTE”! Dr. Blaine joined the face-painting fun at our recent Destination Success event at the new Guthrie Center, where families explored the possibilities in SBISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. 📸 See more smiles and moments from the event: PHOTO GALLERY
#SBISDProud #SBISDCTE
Tomorrow's the day! Get ready to fall in love with CTE at SBISD's Destination Success!
Bring the whole family to explore career possibilities, experience hands-on activities and discover what your future could hold.
📅 Tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 24 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 The Guthrie Center, 10660 Hammerly Rd.
This event is FREE and open to the community. We can't wait to see you there!
Community members and resident in the Memorial Middle School area are invited to attend a community meeting to learn more about the City of Houston’s proposed underground detention project to be located on the north end of the Memorial Middle School property.
The City of Houston Community Meeting presentation and sheet can be found here.
🗓️ Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
📍 Memorial High School Auditorium 935 Echo Lane, 77024
❤️ Healthy choices. Big dreams. Bright futures. During Red Ribbon Week, SBISD celebrates the power of choosing a healthy, drug-free life. Every student has talents to discover, goals to pursue and a future worth protecting. Families, talk with your child about their dreams, making positive choices and the trusted adults they can turn to for support. Together, we can help every child grow with confidence! #RedRibbonWeek #SBISD
💙 Every student deserves support to learn, connect and thrive. This month’s INSPIRE explores the people, programs and resources helping SBISD students find their next step. Discover support for learning, well-being and planning for the future, plus helpful resources for families. 📖 Read the October edition of INSPIRE.
Safety and security are our top priorities.
To help ensure our central athletic facilities remain safe and welcoming places for students, families and fans, effective immediately, SBISD will implement a clear bag policy for all sporting events at Tully Stadium, Don Coleman Coliseum, Grob Stadium and the Natatorium.
Fans may bring clear bags of any size. Purses, backpacks and other non-clear bags will not be permitted.
🔗 Read more.
Additionally, party buses may not bring students to games at SBISD central athletic facilities, and outside food and beverages are not allowed at any sporting events at Tully Stadium, Don Coleman Coliseum or Grob Stadium.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Keeping kids safe online starts with everyday conversations and smart digital habits. Read our story in NEWS for practical tips to help your family protect personal information, recognize online risks and navigate the digital world safely.
Reading Buddies Begin Another Year of Supporting SBISD Students
SBISD's Reading Buddies are back for another year, bringing community volunteers and second-grade students together to strengthen literacy skills and build meaningful relationships.
Since 2019, Reading Buddies has connected volunteers with students for 30 minutes of reading each week, providing encouragement, consistent support and opportunities to grow as readers.
The program's impact was highlighted in the 2026 Education Scorecard, a research project involving Harvard University, Stanford University and Dartmouth College, which reported:
88% of participating students showed gains in oral reading fluency.
More than 60% of the 340 volunteers counted had served for at least two years.
“We're excited to see so many community members in our schools helping students build their reading skills and showing them that their community cares about their success,” said Christopher Marroquin, Director of Community Engagement.
Thank you to our Reading Buddies for showing up each week, building connections and supporting SBISD's literacy priority and T-2-4 vision for Every Child!
⭐ The fall edition of STAR News is here! From student success and state recognition to new learning spaces and a guide to fall theatre and football, there’s plenty to celebrate in SBISD. Created for our mature citizens, STAR News helps you stay connected to the schools and community you helped build. 📖 Read the latest edition. #SBISD #STARNews
Congratulations to Carolyn Tacker, fifth grade math teacher at Rummel Creek Elementary (RCE) and our October Teachers Driving Success winner! 🎉 From leading her team through the adoption of EnVision to mentoring new teachers, Mrs. Tacker makes a difference across her campus. In her classroom, students think critically, share their ideas and build confidence as they work through challenges. “She’s the best of the best, and we’re blessed she’s ours!” her principal shared. Thank you to Group 1 Automotive for recognizing outstanding SBISD educators and celebrating Mrs. Tacker with a $300 gift card and gift basket. We appreciate your partnership and support of our teachers!
🍎 Full plates. Friendly smiles. Ready to learn! During National School Lunch Week, Oct. 12–16, we’re celebrating the SBISD School Nutrition Services team and the care they put into serving our students every day. From preparing nutritious meals to welcoming students through the lunch line, our cafeteria teams help keep kids fueled and focused. Join us in thanking the people who make lunchtime something to look forward to! 💙💛 #NationalSchoolLunchWeek #SBISD
Every school day, our amazing SBISD transportation team helps students feel safe, welcome and ready to learn. 💛🚌 At Wilchester Elementary (WCE), families say Mr. Bene has done just that for at least eight years. He greets students with a smile, learns their names, remembers the details that matter to them and celebrates their birthdays. Along the way, he encourages positive behavior and creates a sense of belonging. To show their appreciation, families on his route pooled their funds and donated to the WCE PTA to name the bus circle in his honor. Students were thrilled, including one fifth grader who said, “Wow, he really deserves it!” Thank you, Mr. Bene, and our entire transportation team for the care and kindness you bring to every route. Your impact reaches far beyond the ride to school. #IAMSBISD
We’re #SBISDProud to celebrate our amazing principals this month! Thank you to all of our school leaders for leading by example with heart, building strong school communities, and making every student feel seen and supported. #NationalPrincipalsMonth
A special night celebrating our #SBISDProud community! 🌟
At last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, we recognized outstanding students, staff, community partners and district teams for achievements that continue to make a difference across SBISD.
SBISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge received the IAMSBISD Award for going above and beyond in his commitment to public safety and service.
Our Summer Reading Rockstars were celebrated for keeping the pages turning all summer long.
Seven students were recognized as National Math Stars for their exceptional mathematical talent.
Spring Woods High School graduates Lizbeth Lopez and Narhalie Padilla were honored for earning Blue-Ribbon recognition at the Educators Rising National Conference.
Student artists and writers were recognized for their achievements in the 2026 I Am Texas Writing and Art Contest and I Write Short Stories for Kids anthology.
Spring Branch Education Foundation celebrated a record-breaking year of support, providing more than $3.68 million for SBISD students, staff and campuses.
The SBISD Financial Services Division was recognized for earning the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 34th consecutive year.
Congratulations to all who were recognized! #SBISDProud
Happy National Custodian Appreciation Day! 💙💛 Thank you to our SBISD custodians for the hard work, dedication and care you bring to our schools every day. You keep our campuses clean, safe and welcoming, helping create spaces where students can learn and staff can do their best work.
