Westlake HS EANESpiration Winners, 2026

Westlake HS EANESpiration Winners, 2026
 

Educational Impact 

Those who display leadership and commitment to the district by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact.

Julia Donovan & Conlee Dull, Life Skills Teachers
Ms. Julia is an incredibly compassionate and supportive educator. She always helps the team without hesitation and creates a positive and collaborative environment. She teaches students with great patience and ensures they feel comfortable and confident in their learning. Her dedication, hard work, and caring nature make a strong impact on students, and it is clear that they truly enjoy and appreciate having her as their teacher.

Ms.Conlee is a compassionate and dedicated teacher who makes a lasting impact on her students’ lives. She teaches with patience and takes the time to ensure that every student understands the concepts. Her caring and supportive interactions help students feel respected, confident, and motivated to learn. Conlee’s commitment to meeting each student’s needs creates a positive and inclusive learning environment where students can grow academically and emotionally.

Timothy Faulkner Math Collab Teacher
Mr. Faulkner consistently goes above and beyond to ensure his students have everything they need to succeed, even when doing so requires thinking outside the box or using approaches that may seem unconventional. He recognizes every student learns differently, and he works hard to make sure each one feels supported, included, and valued in the classroom. By adapting his teaching methods and providing resources in a variety of ways, he makes learning accessible to all students, regardless of their individual needs or learning styles. His dedication ensures that no student feels left behind.

Mr. Faulkner’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. Through his dedication, compassion, and leadership, he leaves a lasting impression on the students and colleagues he encounters. It is clear he genuinely cares about the success and well-being of those around him, and the difference he makes in people’s lives is both meaningful and lasting.

Casey Freeman, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Casey is a caring and dedicated teacher who consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She puts extra effort into ensuring that every student feels comfortable, valued, and confident in their learning environment. Her patience and supportive approach make a meaningful difference in helping students understand their lessons and succeed academically.She creates a warm and welcoming classroom where students feel safe to express themselves and take risks in their learning. Ms. Casey takes the time to understand each student’s individual needs and thoughtfully adapts her teaching strategies to support their success.

Ms. Casey is also very charming and soft-spoken, which helps foster a calm and positive atmosphere in the classroom. She makes both students and teaching assistants feel comfortable, respected, and appreciated. Her approachable nature and gentle communication style build strong relationships and trust with everyone she works with.In addition, she collaborates effectively with colleagues to support student growth. Her dedication, kindness, and positive attitude inspire students to do their best each day and develop a love for learning.   

Samantha Kellogg, Behavior Support Teaching Assistant
Ms. Kellogg always demonstrates leadership to the behavior support team with profound selflessness, a constant willingness to help in any circumstance, and consistent flexibility when supporting and serving our students. Sam is eager to meet students where they are and is creative in getting students to identify the problem and work as stakeholders toward the solution. Ms. Kellogg is a strong communicator and has proven a deep care for our students. Above all, Ms. Kellogg is a selfless teammate and we do not have a more worthy staff member of an award/recognition than Sam! We are so lucky to have her as a behavior support staff member! 

Kathleen Murphy, English Teacher
Kathleen is an absolute rockstar. On the English III team, Kathleen does everything she possibly can to help her peers be the best teachers they can be. She is constantly coming up with creative lesson plans, influential ideas for units, and helps us all manage our time wisely. She is always the voice of reason, and isn't afraid to stand up for what she feels is best for the students. This is Alexa's first year at Westlake, and she has gone above and beyond to make her feel welcome. Kathleen is such a joy to work with and a bright spot in our school each day.

Brittany Rosch, Biology/AP Environmental Science Teacher
Brittany consistently strives to improve our Biology team and the learning experience for our students. She regularly creates new and engaging instructional materials that truly resonate with students. Her Notability interactive reviews help students actively engage with the content, and she designs thoughtful lessons that include detailed, hands-on labs such as our leaf lab and exercise lab. These experiences help bring biology concepts to life and deepen student understanding.

Beyond her instructional contributions, Brittany has a remarkable ability to connect with students on a deeper level. She comes to work every day with positivity, kindness, and genuine care for her students. Her enthusiasm creates a welcoming classroom environment where students feel supported and motivated to learn. Brittany’s dedication, creativity, and passion make a meaningful difference every day!

 

Good Samaritan 

One who displays compassion, selflessness, or courage by taking initiative. 

Raina Langlois, Teaching Assistant
Ms. Raina is a dedicated team member who supports the entire team with patience and a calm approach. She works closely with students and creates a supportive environment where they feel comfortable and understood. Her caring nature and extra attention help students feel valued and encouraged. Raina often works with students who need the most support and handles every situation with kindness and professionalism. She is always willing to help the team and is a dependable and valued member of the classroom. We are incredibly thankful for her dedication and support!

 

Heroes 

Those who perform an outstanding achievement that brings prestige to Eanes ISD, or do something that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Kevin Pegues, Security Supervisor
As WHS Security Supervisor, Kevin has established himself as one of the most well known employees around. Kevin is constantly helping other people and has a reputation of being the "go to" guy in WHS. Not only do all of the staff know him, but nearly all students (and parents) do as well. Kevin takes time to engage with students and has built incredible relationships where he is trusted by them. Kevin knows the campus better than anyone and is a wealth of knowledge when critical incidents occur. If there is ever a question about where a classroom is located or how to find security footage for something nearly impossible to find, Kevin has the answer. He has evolved into a fine leader for his security team and knows that it isn't "just a job" to him. He takes great pride in everything he does and never complains about the little tasks that aren't always enjoyable to complete. Kevin is an asset to this district and we are lucky to have him working at WHS.

Jackie Uselton, Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Jackie has proven exceptional leadership, dedication, and positive influence while serving in our Health Science program during a time of unexpected need. Jackie stepped in and quickly became much more than a substitute. She took the time to build genuine relationships with students which created a supportive and engaging classroom environment.

Rather than simply supervising the class, Jackie actively worked to maintain a seamless flow during a time of transition. She created an engaging and structured environment that allowed students to continue progressing in their coursework with confidence and stability. We are so thankful for everything she did and does for our students - she’s a true hero!