Floresville ISD announced the Teacher and Students of the Month for September.
Kelly Lane, third-grade teacher at Floresville North Elementary, was named Teacher of the Month during the Board of Trustees regular meeting on Monday, September 9. Mr. Lane is in his 19th year of teaching, all of which have been in Floresville. He taught special education for 11 years and has been a classroom teacher in PreK, 3rd, and 4th grades. He is also a proud 1991 graduate of Floresville and drives nearly an hour each way to come back and teach at his alma mater. Mr. Lane is a man of many talents and got into teaching because of his natural ability to share his skills. He is now an expert in elementary math and a published illustrator whose books are in our school libraries. His humor and lightheartedness make him a well-known figure at North Elementary. In the classroom, Mr. Lane has excelled in implementing personalized learning and helping students become more autonomous and self-directed. Daily, he challenges students to achieve the next level of learning and designs leveled playlists that keep kids always reaching for the next step. Kids say Mr. Lane is “funny” and that he makes learning more enjoyable. Mr. Lane says his favorite thing about teaching is creating lasting relationships with students and seeing their faces when they return to elementary school for the Senior Walk. Parents often request pictures with Mr. Lane during the Senior Walk and are thankful for the impact he made on their child nearly a decade prior. His colleague said, “Mr. Lane guides the next generation in the very classrooms that shaped him. He weaves a legacy of dedication, love, and hope into the fabric of a community. His journey is a testament to the power and difference one committed teacher can make."
Zara Paine, a fifth-grade student at FNE, is one of two Students of the Month. Zara is truly a one-of-a-kind, intellectual student. Even among top-notch students, Zara is still at the apex. She achieves excellence naturally and always scores in the top of her class. Zara participates in the Jr. Caring Crew and Gifted and Talented program at FNE. Outside of school, she plays Floresville Little League softball and Spurs League basketball. When not playing with her teams, she enjoys reading, drawing, and going outside with her family. FNE teachers describe Zara as “worldly, intuitive and driven.” In fact, Zara plans to go to Harvard, become a neurosurgeon, expand her family, buy a pug, and live in London. When asked what Zara likes best about school, she said her “teachers, friends, learning, and how friendly and welcoming it is.” At middle school, she is most excited to have a lot more classes and participate in more sports and clubs.
Owen Cypert, also a fifth-grade student at FNE, is the second Student of the Month. Owen is a natural-born leader. His fifth-grade teachers say he raises the bar in the classroom and helps to engage the class in every activity. They say he has the ability to control the tone of the room and uses this attribute to bring out the best in his peers. His teachers are also impressed at his maturity and self-accountability, all qualities they know will serve him well in life. AT FNE, Owen participates in safety patrol and enjoys learning. Outside of school, he plays in the ACYP basketball league and enjoys hanging out with family. Friends say that Owen is “fun” and that he is “nice” to everyone.” Owen hopes to one day attend The University of Texas at Austin and become a surgeon or maybe work for NASA. He is most looking forward to playing sports in middle school.