Tomball Talk

VISION

Tomball ISD students will lead in creating the future.

MISSION

Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences.

Pictured: (Back Row, L-R) Mark Lewandowski, John E. McStravick, Matt Schiel, Dr. Michael Pratt

(Front Row, L-R) Justin Unser, Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Lee McLeod, Tina Salem

Pictured: (L-R) Dr. Steven Gutierrez, Chief Operating Officer; Dr. Michael Webb, Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent; Dr. Amy Schindewolf, Chief of Staff & School Leadership; Zack Boles, Chief Financial Officer; Holly Sherman, Legal Counsel

For her visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence, Tomball ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora has received one of the highest honors for a Superintendent in the State of Texas, being named the 2023 Texas Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) in a special presentation at the annual convention hosted by TASB and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).

Dr. Salazar-Zamora becomes the first-ever Tomball ISD Superintendent to be named Texas Superintendent of the Year, and was selected for this prestigious award from a group of five finalists:

• Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Tomball ISD, Region 4
• Wade Stanford, Westwood ISD, Region 7
• Jim F. Chadwell, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Region 11
• Sheri Blakenship, Hereford ISD, Region 16
• Jose Lopez, Kermit ISD, Region 18

“The entire committee was so impressed by the candidates for this year’s Superintendent of the Year award,” said Kerrville ISD Trustee Rolinda Schmidt, who chaired the TASB selection committee. “As school board members, we understand the challenges involved in successfully leading a school district and it’s no small accomplishment to be a state finalist. It’s always so inspiring to hear about what these public education leaders are doing to advance student outcomes in their districts and to create learning and working environments where everyone has the opportunity to achieve.”

Schmidt said the committee was particularly impressed with Salazar-Zamora’s approach to finding creative and innovative solutions to ensure every child gets a quality education.“

Read more about Dr. Z's honor.

Parent meeting dates for current 8th graders at Creekside Park Junior High, Tomball Junior High, Willow Wood Junior High, and Grand Lakes Junior High are set. Applications to attend Tomball Star Academy will open on October 23.

FOOTBALL

TMHS (5-0 Overall, 2-0 District)

THS (4-1 Overall, 2-0 District)

VOLLEYBALL

TMHS (6-0 District)

THS (5-1 District)

WATER POLO DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!!

TMHS Girls - UNDEFEATED DISTRICT CHAMPION (6-0 District)

THS Boys - DISTRICT CHAMPION (5-1)

TEAM TENNIS

THS - (6-0 District with Championship match on 10/3 at Klein Cain)

CROSS COUNTRY

Cross Country will compete at District Meet on Thursday, Oct. 12.

as of Tuesday, October 3 at 5 PM CT

The Willow Wood Junior High Honors Band was named a National Winner and the Tomball Memorial High School Chamber Orchestra was named a Commended Winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence National Wind Band and Orchestra Honors Project competition!

National Winners are the top tier of recognized groups, with Commended Winners coming in next. This places both groups among the best of the best in the country.

The competition received 442 entries from 40 states. It is a tremendous achievement to be on the short list of recognized ensembles.

The Tomball Cougar Pride Band competed at the Galena Park Marching Festival on Saturday, September 30. Out of 12 bands competing in Class 6A, the Cougar Pride Band earned first place in their class and first place overall at the festival. The Band is under the direction of Shaka Hawkins, Patrick Lemanczyk, Tyler Broadhurst, and Conner Adams.

Their next contest performance is on Saturday, October 7 at the Gulf Coast Classic held at Challenger Stadium in Webster, TX.

The 43rd Annual Patriotic Show will be held on Friday, October 13. Kickoff is slated for 7 PM.

Tomball Memorial High School will be the designated home team this year with Tomball High School as the visiting team.

Patriotic Show Webpage

Tickets will go on sale at 8 AM on Sunday, October 8.

Partner. Learn. Share.

Have you ever wanted to know what it is like behind the scenes on any given day at school? Well, you are in luck!

Apply now to be a Tomball ISD Principal Partner and join us on Thursday, November 9 from 8 AM to 1:30 PM (includes lunch).

Applications are open, and the deadline to apply is Friday, November 3.

Tomball ISD MOVES presents the Tomball ISD Superintendent's Fun Run. The TISD Superintendent's Fun Run is a 5k (3.1 miles) timed race that will take place on April 13, 2024 at the Tomball Event Center.

Take advantage of early registration with a savings! Price increases after October 13, 2023 at 11:59pm CDT.

DESHAUN WASHINGTON, Tomball High School, 2003

Tomball ISD Transportation Supervisor

The Tomball ISD Transportation Department plays a critical role in a child’s school experience. Whether one is a bus driver, in charge of routes, supervising staff, or scheduling field trips, all roles are critical in a successful transportation operation within a school district.

For DeShaun Washington, being able to serve in a role that positively impacts a child’s school experience was exactly what he was meant to do in life. Through hard work and dedicated time spent learning and growing, Washington has elevated himself into a Transportation Supervisor in Tomball ISD, and he never goes a day without thanking those who helped him along the way.

A proud 2003 graduate of Tomball High School, Washington has called Tomball home his entire life. He attended Tomball Elementary, Beckendorf Intermediate, and Tomball Junior High where he played football, and finished at THS where he was a member of the ROTC.

“I have fond memories of my time in school here,” he said. “The teachers were well educated, and the schools left a good impact on my life.”

While attending school, Washington discovered a new passion.

“I’m very appreciative of the experiences I had in school, most importantly school lunch. Good food gave me the thirst for knowledge about the food industry.”

At the age of 14, and still attending THS, Washington joined Savannah Steak and Seafood Restaurant as a dishwasher. Over time, continued hard work led the restaurant to put him through culinary school. He later became a sous chef, followed by chef, then became General Manager.

“I am grateful to Chuck Berry, along with his daughter Susan and Dennis Wilkenson for offering me a job opportunity when I was only fourteen years old,” Washington said. “This opportunity helped me become the person I am today.”

Washington always had the drive to work hard, and between working at a restaurant, attending school, and focusing on his future, Washington has never taken a career opportunity for granted.

In addition to working in the restaurant world, Washington wanted to assist those that aided him in becoming who he is today, and while still in school, decided to apply for a position with the JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) program that works with students to get them work ready.

From there, he graduated in 2003, continued working his way up in the restaurant industry, and soon began his journey within Transportation.Knowing that Tomball was dedicated to children excelling in life, led him back to where it all started.

“When I started working in transportation in Tomball ISD, I was a sub-driver, then learned different fields of transportation,” he recalls. “During those early years, I assisted in routing and worked in dispatch. I want to thank longtime Tomball ISD Transportation Director Beverly Beisert for giving me a chance at such a young age.”

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Read entire Alumni Spotlight.