Honoring Excellence During Our 75th Anniversary
As part of our 75th anniversary celebrations, we asked last year’s juniors to reflect on the incredible teachers who have shaped their educational journeys in Northside Independent School District. We encouraged them to nominate up to three educators who made a lasting, positive impact on their lives.
The response was overwhelming! With over 1,100 heartfelt submissions, it's clear that our teachers are truly making a difference. We've collected and proudly present videos showcasing six of these outstanding educators, as nominated by their students.
Watch how these teachers go above and beyond to inspire their students every day.
Hear stories of dedication and commitment that extend beyond the classroom.
Learn about the life-changing impacts these educators have had on their students.
Meet Our Inspiring Teachers
Join us in celebrating the passion, dedication, and excellence of Northside teachers who continue to shine brightly in our community. Click the videos below to see just a glimpse of the profound impact our teachers have made.
Kathy Settles-Horejsi, a music teacher at Hector Garcia Middle School, was nominated by her former student, Luke Samuel Gonzaba, a student at Brandeis High School.
"Mrs. Settles connects with her students and knows how to bring the best out of a person," Gonzaba explained. "She always told us that we may not sing all our lives, but we will always be a person all our life."
Amy Settlemire, a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at Bernal Middle School, was nominated by her former student, Karla Diaz Rodriguez, a senior at NSITE.
“She was always there when I needed her,” Rodriguez said. “It is nice to have someone supporting you throughout your journey. She has the purest soul I know. She is my inspiration and a gold-star teacher.”
Matthew Taylor, an 8th-grade math teacher at Folks Middle School, was nominated by his former student, Madison Dale, a senior at Sotomayor High School.
“I was really struggling during 8th grade, and Mr. Taylor pulled me aside and asked me what was going on in my life. He showed that he really cared, and one day, I hope to be an elementary school teacher and help students the way that Mr. Taylor helped me.”
Rebecca Graf, a math support specialist at Briscoe Middle School, was nominated by her former student, Francesca Elizardo-Dutson, a senior at Marshall Law and Medical Services Magnet School.
Early in her schooling, Dutson had a difficult time focusing and doing well in classes, thanks to an undiagnosed learning disability.
“I was tired of always being put into some type of extra help program because of my disabilities until I met Mrs. Graf. She understood that math was hard, and I had an extra battle to overcome. She took the time to understand me, which meant a lot. Over time, it made me hungry to learn and gave me the confidence I needed.”
Clarissa Kline, a second-grade teacher at Beard Elementary School, was nominated by her former student, Abigail Spiekerman, now a senior at O’Connor High School.
"Miss Kline always went above and beyond just to make the classroom a safe environment with a nurturing heart, I will never forget her for that."
Monica Yzaguirre, an AVID teacher at Holmes High School, was nominated by her former student, Reynaldo Perez, now a senior at Holmes.
"Ms. Yzaguirre helped me grow from a child with a dream to a young adult with a clear goal."