• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: Justin Verlander shouts out his favorite Houston burger on national TV
    JV's favorite burger
    Justin Verlander shouts out his favorite Houston burger on national TV
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: Houston's first Nikkei restaurant blends 2 great culinary traditions that taste great together
    Japanese fusion in westchase
    Houston's first Nikkei restaurant blends 2 great global cuisines
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: 7 things to know in Houston food right now: Openings, closings, and a spirited dinner with Feges BBQ
    7 things to know
    7 things to know in Houston food: Openings, closings, more dining news
    By Eric Sandler

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Alex Bentley: Bodies Bodies Bodies hit the floor in hilarious horror comedy
    Movie Review
    Bodies Bodies Bodies hit the floor in hilarious horror comedy
    By Alex Bentley
    Craig D. Lindsey : Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend
    weekend event planner
    Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend
    By Craig D. Lindsey
    Steven Devadanam: Dazzling immersive art experience draws up sprawling new home in The Heights
    an artful move
    Dazzling immersive art experience draws up new home in The Heights
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Tarra Gaines: 9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    best august art
    9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    By Tarra Gaines
    Tarra Gaines: Houston's best fall theater showcases Broadway sensations, cutting-edge works, and world premiers
    best fall theater
    Houston's best fall theater showcases world-class productions and more
    By Tarra Gaines
    Holly Beretto: Powerhouse new CEO sets the stage for Hobby Center for the Performing Arts' next big act
    on the mark
    Powerhouse new CEO sets the stage for Hobby Center's next big act
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday extravaganza closes up shop after 34-year run
    a fond farewell
    Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday experience stepping down
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Inspiring celebrity sports power couple hosts can't-miss gala with surprise Houston Astros guests
    a home-run cause
    Sports power couple hosts gala with surprise Astros star guests
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's society queen hits the dance floor in red-hot Montrose nightclub's VIP bash
    sobe's back
    Houston's society queen dances away at Montrose club's VIP party
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Stages
    Entertainment
    Stages
    : PH Design Shop
    Shops
    PH Design Shop
    : Westin Oaks Houston
    Hotels
    Westin Oaks Houston

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : ICOSA Collective presents Jaqueline Overby: "Window Dressing XXI" opening reception
    8.13.22 | 12:00 am
    ICOSA Collective presents Jaqueline Overby: "Window Dressing XXI" opening reception
    : Color Factory
    8.13.22 | 9:00 am
    Color Factory
    : Candytopia
    8.13.22 | 10:00 am
    Candytopia

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman broadcasts the list of Houston stars dominating the 2022 Texas Radio Hall of Fame awards
    airwave a-listers
    Hoffman on the Houston stars dominating the Radio Hall of Fame awards
    By Ken Hoffman
    Brianna Caleri: Houston steps to top of list of U.S. cities with lowest carbon footprints
    By the Footprint
    Houston steps to top of U.S. cities with lowest carbon footprints
    By Brianna Caleri
    Steven Devadanam: Beloved University of Houston cougar mascot Shasta VI passes away at 11
    remembering shasta vi
    Beloved University of Houston cougar mascot Shasta passes away at 11
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    : 5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock this summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
    5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly wins best lingerie shop in America title
    a fitting win
    Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly named best lingerie shop in America
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Face the scorching Houston summer sun with these tips from local skin care experts
    here comes the sun
    Face the Houston summer sun with tips from local skin care experts
    By Gabi De la Rosa

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Frías: Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5 million Texas ranch
    down by the river
    Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5M Texas ranch
    By Hannah J. Frías
    John Egan: Retro Hill Country drive-in movie theater premieres on the market at $4 million
    Screen dream
    Retro Hill Country drive-in theater premieres on the market at $4M
    By John Egan
    Holly Beretto: Contemporary 'treehouse' masterpiece in Piney Point blooms on market for $2.8 million
    into the woods
    Contemporary 'treehouse' masterpiece in Piney Point lists for $2.8M
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Texas builder unveils sleek prefabricated luxury homes starting at $600,000
    prefab fab
    Texas builder unveils sleek prefab luxury homes starting at $600,000
    By John Egan
    Katie Friel: H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    Milk, Bread, Eggs, Accent Chair
    H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    By Katie Friel
    Steven Devadanam: In-demand Houston interior designer opens door to elegant new showroom in Rice Village
    livable luxury
    Haute Houston interior designer opens elegant new Rice Village shop
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    Natalie Harms: Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    PRIME SHOPPING
    Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    By Natalie Harms
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's elite hospitals score No. 1 spots in prestigious new list of best in U.S. and Texas
    med center might
    Houston hospitals score No. 1 spots in list of best in U.S. and Texas
    By Steven Devadanam
    John Egan: Houston real estate giant cracks down on carbon emissions
    SEEING GREEN
    Houston real estate giant cracks down on carbon emissions
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex Awards
    all's fair
    State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in North Texas
    Royal revelation
    7 surprises in Chip & Joanna Gaines' North Texas Fixer Upper castle
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Brianna Caleri: New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    The Juice
    New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Viral hug after harrowing accident in Pearland Little League victory is what America needs right now
    everyone wins
    Player hug after accident in Pearland Little League win goes viral
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Dwayne Johnson's XFL taps Texas football royalty to coach new Houston team
    can you smell what the rock is cookin'?
    Texas football royalty named coach of new XFL team in Houston
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: University of Houston Cougars score $10M anonymous, game-changing gift for state-of-the-art football center
    coogs (new) house
    UH Cougars score $10M anonymous gift for game-changing football center
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Innovation
beaver powered
Buc-ee's founder fuels Texas A&M's new $50M immersive learning lab
from houston, with love
Houston's economy booms with record-breaking growth in this area
LATEST NEWS
Houston's first Nikkei restaurant blends 2 great global cuisines
And the Winner Is

Top elementary science teacher in Houston named by alliantgroup

Top elementary science teacher in Houston named by alliantgroup

By CultureMap Create
Jun 7, 2022, 1:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
SPARK Award finalists Ruth Giles, Lynell Dillard, Leticia Sifuentes, Melanie Jenkins, Mimi Munoz, Gerjuan O’Neal
SPARK Award finalists Ruth Giles, Lynell Dillard, Leticia Sifuentes, Melanie Jenkins, Mimi Munoz, and Gerjuan O’Neal. Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
SPARK Award winners Deirdre Ricketts (2019), Leticia Sifuentes (2022), Whitnee Boston (2021)
SPARK Award winners Deirdre Ricketts (2019), Leticia Sifuentes (2022), Whitnee Boston (2021). Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
Judges Frances Crossingham and Lena Maria-Arrango listen to finalist Melanie Jenkins
Judges Frances Crossingham and Lena Maria-Arrango listen to finalist Melanie Jenkins. Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
Finalists Ruth Giles, Mimi Munoz, Gerjuan O’Neal, Leticia Sifuentes, Lynell Dillard, and Melanie Jenkins with Space Center Houston CEO and president William Harris, and Space Center Houston VP of education Daniel Newmyer
Finalists Ruth Giles, Mimi Munoz, Gerjuan O’Neal, Leticia Sifuentes, Lynell Dillard, and Melanie Jenkins with Space Center Houston CEO and president William Harris, and Space Center Houston VP of education Daniel Newmyer. Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
alliantgroup 2022 STEM Award luncheon
Guests enjoy the alliantgroup 2022 STEM Award luncheon. Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
Nitin Chandra, Rajni Jain, Mike Jain
Nitin Chandra, Rajni Jain, Mike Jain with Jain & Jain CPAs. Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
Casey Curry, alliantgroup senior director of strategic communications and philanthropy, and CW39 anchor Sharron Melton
Casey Curry, alliantgroup senior director of strategic communications and philanthropy, and CW39 anchor Sharron Melton. Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
Yolanda Guzman, Frances Crossingham, Lena Maria-Arrango, Whitnee Boston, Deirdre Ricketts, Sharron Melton, Sara Rodriguez, Denise Conway, Casey Curry
Yolanda Guzman, Frances Crossingham, Lena Maria-Arrango, Whitnee Boston, Deirdre Ricketts, Sharron Melton, Sara Rodriguez, Denise Conway, Casey Curry Photo courtesy of alliantgroup
SPARK Award finalists Ruth Giles, Lynell Dillard, Leticia Sifuentes, Melanie Jenkins, Mimi Munoz, Gerjuan O’Neal
SPARK Award winners Deirdre Ricketts (2019), Leticia Sifuentes (2022), Whitnee Boston (2021)
Judges Frances Crossingham and Lena Maria-Arrango listen to finalist Melanie Jenkins
Finalists Ruth Giles, Mimi Munoz, Gerjuan O’Neal, Leticia Sifuentes, Lynell Dillard, and Melanie Jenkins with Space Center Houston CEO and president William Harris, and Space Center Houston VP of education Daniel Newmyer
alliantgroup 2022 STEM Award luncheon
Nitin Chandra, Rajni Jain, Mike Jain
Casey Curry, alliantgroup senior director of strategic communications and philanthropy, and CW39 anchor Sharron Melton
Yolanda Guzman, Frances Crossingham, Lena Maria-Arrango, Whitnee Boston, Deirdre Ricketts, Sharron Melton, Sara Rodriguez, Denise Conway, Casey Curry

Remember voting last month for the SPARK Award, the program that rewards outstanding HISD science teachers? Well, folks, we have a winner.

During a luncheon on Thursday at alliantgroup’s headquarters in the Galleria area, elementary science teacher Leticia Sifuentes was named this year’s SPARK Award winner for her outstanding work at Bonner Elementary School.

Since 2019, alliantgroup has partnered with Houston ISD to reward innovative science teachers who are increasing student engagement by emphasizing the importance of science, but also why it’s fun.

Sifuentes says she has worked alongside incredible teachers throughout her career, and that is why she is so honored to be chosen among them now.

“I am so excited to have won this award, especially with the company I was in. They are all fabulous teachers,” says Sifuentes. “I am extremely honored to have won this award for my students, because they are the reason I am here.”

Sifuentes has only been teaching at Bonner Elementary School for one year but is a veteran in the classroom, with 24 years of experience. She says her own fifth grade teacher inspired her to also become an educator.

“My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Johnson, was very interactive,” says Sifuentes.  She was definitely somebody I looked up to and wanted to be exactly like.” 

Sifuentes was selected among five other finalists, including: Melanie Jenkins with Katherine Smith Elementary School, Ruth Giles with Cornelius Elementary School, Mimi Muñoz with Seguin Elementary School, Gerjuan O’Neal with Mark Twain Elementary School, and Lynell Dillard with Clemente Martinez Elementary School.

All six teachers were gifted $500 toward their classrooms. The finalists were also given $1,300 for themselves and the winner took home $3,500 for herself.

Despite the competition, Sifuentes says this group of teachers has already become close and is focused on helping each other succeed in the classroom.

“They are all amazing teachers and we have a created our own professional learning community group,” she says. “We’ve started an email chat where we share ideas and collaborate with one another. That is one of the best things about meeting other teachers through this: We are all willing to help each other, which is how you become a better educator.”

The nominees were selected by HISD’s science curriculum department before being interviewed by a panel of judges, who ultimately chose the grand prize winner.

The panel included the newly appointed general manager of Univision, Glen Coleman; senior principal Frances Crossingham with Slalom Consulting; FOX 26 meteorologist Lena Maria Arango; and Ivan Rodriguez, who is the founder and CEO of Glocal Advantage.

They got the chance to meet the finalists, interview them, and then see a video of each teacher in action inside their classroom. Casey Curry, senior director of strategic communications and philanthropy at alliantgroup, says after getting to know Sifuentes better, she understands why the judges selected her as this year’s winner.

“Leticia was our honorable mention teacher in 2019 and I’m so thrilled she is our winner this year,” Curry says. “She truly embraces her students and because of her own experiences she is able to relate to them in a unique way.”

“Many times, my students think being bilingual is negative and keeps them from things, but I tell them it is their superpower,” says Sifuentes. “Now they have two languages they can use to be successful. I tell them they will use it all the time because it is quite valuable.”

This is the fourth year that alliantgroup has recognized and rewarded HISD elementary science teachers. You can learn more about this year’s SPARK Award nominees here.

Read These Next
Texas 4-H Center building
Work hard and play harder at the Texas A&M's 4-H Center
graham mural
Plan a getaway to Graham, home of Fort Belknap
Couple in front of new house
Tips for getting the best home loan from a top Houston Realtor
Texas 4-H Center building
Work hard and play harder at the Texas A&M's 4-H Center
graham mural
Plan a getaway to Graham, home of Fort Belknap
Couple in front of new house
Tips for getting the best home loan from a top Houston Realtor
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Regal River Oaks-area high-rise evacuated amid structural concerns
  • Aubrey Plaza scams and schemes in solid Emily the Criminal
  • First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals 77 hottest shows
  • Ken Hoffman's ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series
  • Texas hot chicken restaurant brings the heat to Katy and Spring
See All Latest News >
  • Justin Verlander shouts out his favorite Houston burger on national TV
  • Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday experience stepping down
  • 7 things to know in Houston food: Openings, closings, more dining news
  • Houston's first Nikkei restaurant blends 2 great global cuisines
  • Kate Upton and Justin Verlander reveal their 5 favorite Houston haunts
Vote Now
Whats Eric Eating
8/12
Meet Eculent's mad scientist chef, plus more hot Houston food news
7/28
Riel talk about Montrose's award-winning restaurant, more food news
7/21
The dish on new Thai tapas, plus best Houston Restaurant Weeks hacks
Hoffman's Houston
8/9
Hoffman on the Houston stars dominating the Radio Hall of Fame awards
8/1
Hoffman's stone-cold prediction on the demise of a U.S. ice cream fave
7/25
Hoffman on a Houston Jewish bakery's role in a record-breaking victory
Where to Eat Houston
6/23
Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 stupendous new restaurants
4/20
Where to eat in Houston: 9 new restaurants for steak, ramen, and more
3/21
Where to eat in Houston: 10 new restaurants from Wild fare to steaks
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>