Congratulations to Claudia Lara, recipient of the Spring ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year title and a brand new Ford Escape from Planet Ford and the Reed family. Saturday, Shawn Burns, Operating Partner/General Manager, handed of the keys to Mrs. Lara’s new Ford Escape from Planet Ford on I-45 in Spring, Texas.
Mrs. Lara said she was in shock and was truly excited. Before driving off into the sunset in her new Ford, she not only wanted her husband to take a photo of her and the new vehicle, but asked that “her dream team” join in the snap shot.
Planet Ford and the team were proud to help make this dream come true for a teacher who has and will continue to help the dreams of her students come true. The Reed family and Planet Ford also recognized the Elementary Teacher of the Year, Latoya Patterson, with an all-expense paid cruise vacation. Both teachers were recognized during Spring ISD Employee Recognition Banquet held at the Hilton North Houston in Houston, TX.
“Educators do so much and often go far beyond the call of duty,” said Mr. Burns. “There really isn’t enough that Planet Ford can do to celebrate and thank all they do. However, this is one way to show our appreciation, and we greatly enjoyed surprising these awesome educators and delivering their well-earned prizes.”
Owner, Randall Reed agreed, “Teachers are at the heart of our community,” he said. “They do more than just educate our young people, they help mold lives and ultimately have an impact on everyone’s futures. We are pleased that we can recognize their lifetime work by fulfilling a dream of a lifetime with a new car and exotic escape.”
Ms. Patterson teaches art at Anderson Elementary where she is also a Gifted and Talented program representative and serves as the sponsor of both the school’s Creative Dramatics program and Destination Imagination team.
Mrs. Lara teaches Spanish at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School where she includes a variety of activities that make learning fun for her students. “I like to have dynamic classes where they are actually learning through doing,” she said.
This is the second year that Planet Ford proudly helped celebrate and reward area educators during the Spring ISD Employee Recognition Banquet. Last year, 
Robert Silvy (left) drove away in a new Ford Escape. Tamia McEwen (right) was awarded a Carnival Preferred Awards Plus all-expense paid cruise for two to the Bahamas.
Spring ISD’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding educators for their commitment to excellence in education. Each year, every Spring ISD school selects a campus Teacher of the Year. Those winners are then invited to submit materials to a committee to be considered as a finalist for the district’s Teacher of the Year program. From there, the selection committee chooses two educators to represent the district.
To learn more about Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Houston, Conroe, Aldine, Katy, Conroe) take the short drive on I-45 to the Louetta exit. shop online anytime at www.PlanetFord45.com!