sbowden1@kleinisd.net

Hi! My name is Stephanie Bowden and I am very excited about the upcoming year. This is my third year in fourth grade and I am looking forward to teaching Language Arts. I have lived in the Klein area most of my life. I attended Benfer, Strack, Klein Oak and graduated from Sam Houston State University. I met my husband, Sam at Klein Oak and we have been together ever since. We have four children ages 9, 10, 15, & 19. Kaleb is a third grade leopard and Chandler is a fifth grade leopard, at Benignus. My daughter Danielle is a sophmore, Klein Oak Cheerleader. My oldest son will be attending Blinn College. I feel that my experience as a mother and my love for teaching will be a great influence on your children. I cannot wait to meet all of you, and begin another year as a Benignus Leopard.

sdavid1@kleinisd.net

Hi my name is Shelly David and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Benignus 4th grade team. I went to Klein ISD schools from Benfer, Strack, and finishing at the Klein High. I have always had a passion to be a teacher in Klein ISD. I graduated from Sam Houston State University in December of 2007, making me a true BEARKAT for life, and was extremely involved the education department. I did my student teaching at Benignus and blessed to have the opportunity to continue teaching here full time. I have lived in the community my whole life along with my husband, who I met at Strack in 7th grade! We known each over 10 years before we got married in January 2008 and are still best friends! We don't have children, but looking forward to having our kids in Klein ISD one day! I have two kitties, Betty and Jack, that make me laugh every day! I love to shop and read on my free time! I am looking forward to another wonderful year of meeting and getting to know everyone!

teharris@kleinisd.net

Hi!! My name is Theresa Harris and welcome to Benignus Elementary. I will be a fourth grade teacher and I am very excited about starting this school year. This year will be my fifth year teaching elementary school. I spent my first two years of teaching in Mobile, Alabama, where I am originally from. My third and forth years of teaching were spent at Roth Elementary, which is also a Klein school. I attended the University of Southern Mississippi for three years, then transferred to the University of South Alabama, were I earned my degree in Elementary Education. I have been married to my wonderful husband Jonathan for five years and I love living in Texas. We do not have any children but we do have a beautiful Cocker Spaniel named Cali. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you. See you seen!!!

clawton@kleinisd.net

Hi! I'm Cyndi Lawton, and I am thrilled to be joining the Benignus family!! I have heard amazing things about the faculty and students, and I'm looking forward to a great year!

My family moved to the Klein area when I was in 8th grade, so I went to Strack and Klein High School where I was involved in student council and drill team. I graduated from Sam Houston with a degree in Journalism and English, and I've been married to my college sweetheart, Mark, for 22 years. We have two sweet daughters...Callie just graduated from KHS and will be going to Baylor in the fall and Lindsey will be a junior at Klein. We also have two mini-schnauzers, Heidi and Cooper who are partners in crime around our house!

After substituting for 6 years and loving it, I received my certification so I could teach full time. I taught 4th grade Reading and Writing at Krahn for the last 4 years, and I can't wait to continue teaching these subjects at Benignus! I feel so blessed and honored to be part of the Benignus family...I know it's going to be a FANTASTIC year!!

gjames@kleinisd.net

My name is Gayle James and I am looking very forward to teaching math, science, and social studies in 4th grade again this year at Benignus. This is my 29th year of teaching. I was born and raised in Ohio. Kent State University is where I earned my teaching certificate. I also attended Ohio State University. I have a daughter, Katlyn, who graduated from Klein Collins High School this past June and is now volunteering on Fridays with her Early Childhood teacher, Mrs. Atkinson.

dmondello1@kleinisd.net

My name is Diane Mondello and this is my 15th year of teaching. This is my second year at Benignus and I'm very excited to be teaching 4th grade. I have one daughter, Megan, who is attending college in Seattle, Washington. My husband, Joe, and I live in Spring with our 4 cats, Tinker, Dizzy, Blue and Daisy Mae.

kimberly.stanley@kleinisd.net

This year will definitely be an exciting one for me! I am transferring from Greenwood Forest Elementary, where I taught 4th grade for three years. I feel very lucky to be a faculty member at Benignus, which is such an incredible school. I am a product of Klein ISD, and am thrilled to teach in the district that has enriched me with the knowledge that I have today. My journey started out at Lemm Elementary, moved through Strack Intermediate, and finished off at Klein Oak High School. After high school, I received a scholarship to The University of Houston for soccer and graduated there with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Shortly after my graduation, I began teaching at Greenwood Forest.
I love my family! Spending time with them is something that I cherish dearly. My only sibling, Jennifer Culver, is also a teacher. She has been teaching at Haude Elementary for nine years. She has given me two adorable nephews, Colby Robert and Trent Daniel, who fill my life with joy! Colby is 2 1/2, and Trent is almost 3 months. I often share stories in class of their crazy character, especially Colby’s. My mother works in Klein, as well. She has been at Lemm Elementary for 12 years and in the district for 18.
Words can’t express how rewarding it is to teach. It has embedded countless learning experiences in my life. I, myself, have very high expectations. With that, I hope to expose my students to memorable learning experiences and supply them with an environment that facilitates, as well as, allows them to question, and critically evaluate the world around them. I am looking forward to a fantastic and successful year!

awiller@kleinisd.net

My name is Amy Willer and I am honored and excited to be teaching fourth grade at Benignus. I am the oldest of seven children, and my family moved to Spring when I was in third grade. I attended Haude, Benfer, Strack, and Klein High School. I graduated from Texas A & M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Curriculum and Instruction in 1990 and a Master’s Degree in Education Psychology in 1992.

While at Texas A & M, I met my husband, Darrin. We have two daughters, Katherine, who is 12 years old, and Madeline, who is 10. Madeline is a fifth grade Benignus Leopard and Katherine is a seventh grade Krimmel Knight. We have three pets – a cockatiel named Sunshine, a long-haired dachshund named Sadie, and a new little kitten named Bella.

I taught middle school for four years at Fort Campbell, Kentucky before I had my daughters, stayed home for a few years with them, and it is my fourth year to teach fourth grade in Klein ISD.

I am looking forward to another fantastic year. We will have a great time working together and learning so much about math, science, and social studies!