dboone1@kleinisd.net

Hi, my name is Danis Boone. I relocated to Texas in July of 2004, from Milwaukee, WI, along with my husband and two daughters. A year and a half later to complete our family we added a son.

I graduated from Concordia University in Mequon, WI with a BA in Management Communication. I never quite felt fulfilled working in my field. I began working with the Youth Activities Director at my church and found that my passion was working with children. It was at that point that I decided to go back to school to get my Teaching Certificate.

I am still very excited about being part of the Benignus family. Last year was great! I enjoyed having the opportunity to teach your children. I look forward to what I know will be another great year!

aburson1@kleinisd.net

Hi! My name is Annissa Burson. I grew up in the Klein school district and graduated from Klein High School. I attended Baylor University for my Bachelor of Science in Education and The University of Houston for my Master of Education.I taught first grade at Benignus for the last 2 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I previously taught first grade in Katy ISD. I live in WindRose with my husband and two sons. I am overjoyed to be at Benignus. It means so much to me to teach at my neighborhood school. I love first grade, and I am looking forward to working with your children.

mchampion1@kleinisd.net

Hi, and welcome to First Grade! My name is Megan Champion and I recently graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station with a degree in Elementary Education. This is my first year teaching; however, I am not new to Benignus. I was very blessed to be placed here in first grade for my student teaching, and am thrilled at the opportunity to be back! I grew up in the Klein district and am so excited to be at home and a Benignus leopard! I can’t wait to meet you and your child, and am looking forward to a fabulous year!

cerickson@kleinisd.net

Welcome to First Grade! My name is Cindy Erickson and I have been teaching for 14 years. I truly enjoy teaching children and seeing the expressions on their faces when they learn....it is an amazing feeling!

I was born in San Antonio and moved to Houston 8 years ago. Even though I miss San Antonio and the Spurs Basketball Team, I have always been an Astros fan........so I feel fate brought me to Houston!

I am very excited to be part of the Benignus Family!
GO LEOPARDS!!!

afox1@kleinisd.net

Hello and welcome to 1st grade. Let me share a little bit about myself....After receiving my B.F.A. from Tarleton State University in 1992, I decided to be a stay at home mom of 3 girls, Morgan, Ashleigh and Paige, and travel with my husband, Chad Fox, so that we could be together as a family while he played Major League Baseball. In the off-season, we were home and I had the opportunity to choreograph the musicals at Spring High School for 12 years. I home-schooled our oldest daughter, Morgan, for part of Kindergarten and part of 1st grade while we were away with Chad. Thirteen years later, Chad decided to retire from baseball and I decided to return to school to get my teacher's certificate. And now I am so excited at this point in my life to be home and a part of the Benignus family.

dhamilton1@kleinisd.net

I graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Elementary Education. Although, I am not a native Texan, I did get here as fast as I could. My husband and I have lived in Texas for 17 years. I have taught 10 years. Six of those years were here in Klein Independent School District at Brill Elementary. I have taught first, second, and even seventh and eight grades. My family and I live in Windrose. My husband and I have two children, Cheyenne and Preston. We love to travel, especially to the beach. We love to snorkel. I am very excited about teaching first grade at Benignus and anticipate a wonderful and exciting school year.

sharman1@kleinisd.net

Welcome to First Grade! My name is Shay Harman, I moved to Houston from College Station. This will be my fourth year teaching 1st Grade. I graduated from Texas A&M University and worked there for 3 years in the Admissions Office and as an Academic Advisor. I then started my teaching career at College Hills Elementary. I am excited to begin teaching at Benignus this year; I met so many wonderful people while subbing there. I believe teaching is a group effort we all have to play our part in teacher, students, community and parents. I look forward to working with you and your child.

wmarder@kleinisd.net

Welcome to First Grade!! I am Wendy Marder and I am so proud and thrilled to be part of the Benignus faculty. I am originally from the Dallas area, but attended Marshall High School in East Texas. I attended college at Stephen F. Austin and received my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies ( Elementary Education). I moved to Houston, married my husband Scott, and began my career in teaching! I've taught primary grades for 15 years, and I have met so many families, kids, and friends. I look forward to meeting many new friends this year. I have two children of my own in Klein schools. I am so excited to be a Benignus Leopard! I look forward to a great year and some wonderful students!

kmorales1@kleinisd.net

Hello, my name is Karla Morales, I will be joining the Benignus team this year as the first-grade bilingual teacher. I have lived in the Klein area for almost nine years with my wonderful husband and we have a son who will enter the second grade here at Benignus. As a Sam Houston State graduate, I am coming in with the goal of motivating my students in reaching their full potential. I believe the most meaningful learning takes place when students are motivated and interested; the way to achieve this is by giving students a voice in the learning process, and by assisting them in finding connections in the curriculum with their own life and interests. It is my belief that individual differences need to be recognized, respected, and even celebrated. I am delighted to come onboard and join the Benignus leopards.

Hola, mi nombre es Karla Morales, y este año entrare al equipo de Benignus como maestra bilingüe de primer grado. He vivido en el área de Klein por casi nueve años junto a mi esposo. Tenemos un hijo de siete años que entrara al segundo grado aquí en Benignus. Egresada de la universidad de Sam Houston, llego con el propósito de motivar a cada uno de mis estudiantes a que den lo mejor de si mismos. Creo que la mejor manera de aprender sucede cuando los alumnos están motivados e interesados. Eso lo lograre dándoles la oportunidad a cada uno de expresarse e integrar sus historias, anécdotas e ideas dentro de las actividades que hagamos. Es mi encomienda, respetar, desarrollar, y festejar las distintas cualidades de mis estudiantes. Será un placer ser parte de la comunidad de maestros de Benignus.

stuck@kleinisd.net

Welcome to first grade at Benignus! I am Staci Tuck and I am thrilled to be here teaching first grade. I went to school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma State University graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. My teaching career began in 1997 where I taught first grade in my hometown of Woodward, Oklahoma for two years. I married my husband, Jerrod in 1999. Upon returning from our wedding and honeymoon in Lake Tahoe, we took a leap of faith and decided to make the move to Houston. I found a job teaching fourth grade in Spring, loaded up the car, and started teaching a day later. I quickly made the move to Klein teaching second grade at Roth for six years.

Last year was such a wonderful and memorable experience. I loved working with the kids and getting to know the parents. I am looking forward to another great year! When I am not dreaming of all the fun things to buy for my classroom, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.

I look forward to working with you and your child to make this the best year ever!!