The Klein Independent School District proudly honors its heritage by naming schools after the founding families. Among the first German settlers in Northwest Harris County was Johann Heinrich Theiss who arrived in 1846 with his wife Katherina Benner and their four children. The following year, Johann acquired 200 acres of land in Rosehill Community, where the Theiss family joined other German settlers in organizing the Salem Lutheran Church. In 1854, Johann and Katherina's oldest son, Jacob, purchased 557 acres in a nearby area. Then they settled among our German immigrants in what was known as the Klein Community.

In the 1890's some confusion developed in the mail delivery to the Theis families in the Rosehill and Klein Communities. As a result, Theiss family members in Rosehill came to spell their last name with a single "s",and those at Klein with a double "s". In the family tradition of community involvement and leadership, several descendants have served as trustees of the Klein Independent School District.

These original German settlers of Klein left an important legacy for us to remember and learn from. Their success represented dedication, hard work, community support and family. Those same qualities exist at Theiss Elementary, creating students determined to excel and teachers dedicated to providing an excellent education to all students.