"Let the Adventure Begin" in Friendswood ISD

The Friendswood ISD Education Foundation (FEF) welcomed over 100 new employees to FISD at its annual New Employee Luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 4. The celebration was held at the Lone Star Flight Museum echoing the theme “Let the Adventure Begin” in FISD with an outstanding group of educators joining the Mustang family.

Event Chairs and FEF Directors Alexis DiFruscio and Judy Wiggins said it was an amazing event, showering the new employees with tons of love and support from the community.

FEF Executive Director Ashley Adair agreed.

“Now more than ever, educators need to be celebrated and lifted up by our community and our committee brought that to life in such an impactful way at this year’s event,” Adair said.

Dozens of businesses and individuals stepped up to sponsor including longtime Title Sponsor Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union. The event is a testament to the support the Friendswood community has for its educators.

“One of my favorite parts of the event was recognizing our past grant recipients and the addition of two new classroom grants awarded to one new teacher and one mentor teacher,” Adair said. “I have no doubt this will have an impact far beyond the four walls of the Flight Museum and will inspire at least one new educator to write a grant who may not have before.”

The afternoon was packed with delicious food catered by Outback Steakhouse, a variety of door prizes and goody bags full of treats donated by local businesses. In fact, this year the Foundation received enough door prizes for every single new employee to win one.

One highlight of the luncheon was the FISD Teacher Panel emceed by Deputy Superintendent Lauren Ambeau. Panelists included Chelsea Herrera, Maegan Millet, Katya Silveira, Laurie Spangle, Melissa Stephenson and Shalyse Thomas.

The panel inspired new employees by sharing how they live out FISD’s call to action, what innovation looks like in their classroom and what mantras they cling to.

Frances Gossett, Quest Para at Cline Elementary, was among the new employees in attendance.

“First impressions are very important, and my very first impressions of FISD including interview, orientation, badge pickup and the luncheon shows a family of coworkers that give each other value and support,” Gossett said. “I am humbled and thankful to be a part of the FISD Mustang Mindset.”