Former NEISD student celebrates full circle moment with return to our District.

Vanessa Vasquez is the new volleyball coach at Eisenhower Middle School. She’s back at the school where she got her first glimpse of the incredible impact teachers and coaches can have on their students.

“Twenty years ago, I was just another middle schooler walking the halls of Eisenhower Middle School. I didn’t know it then, but those years would be the foundation for the rest of my life. My journey through NEISD started at Harmony Hills Elementary, continued at Eisenhower, and ended with my graduation from Churchill High School in 2010.

High school wasn’t an easy chapter for me. I went through one of the most trying times in my life — a season where things felt uncertain and heavy. But I wasn’t alone. My teachers and coaches stepped in, not just to teach and coach, but to truly see me, encourage me, and believe in me when I struggled to believe in myself. They didn’t just prepare me for a test or a game; they helped prepare me for life.

One of those people was Coach Stacy Moore, who recently retired. She was a steady presence, someone who always had time to listen, guide, and push me to be my best. Her influence reached far beyond the court and left a lasting mark on my heart. She inspired me to step into coaching, not just to teach a sport, but to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Now, life has brought me full circle. I’m back at Eisenhower — this time as a special education teacher and coach for volleyball, basketball, shot put, and soccer. Every day, I walk the same halls I once did as a student, but now I see them through the eyes of a mentor. I’m here to give back to the same community that once carried me through my hardest times.

This isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. It’s my way of honoring every teacher and coach who poured into me, who stood in my corner, and who helped me become the person I am today.”

Welcome back, Vanessa.

We can’t wait to see the impact you are going to have on your community and students #theNEISDway.

Big or small, we all have a story to tell. Tell us your NEISD story at neisd.net/tellyourstory

Being a student’s kindergarten teacher is a big deal!

Our kindergarten teachers lay the foundation for a student’s education. They set the foundation of education for their family as well.

Longs Creek Elementary School’s Tiffany Camacho is one of our incredible kindergarten teachers who understands the critical role they have.

The parent of one of her new students sent her a Staff Shout Out to thank her for making the transition into school an easy one for them and their child.

“Big shout out to Mrs. Camacho. This is my son’s first week of kindergarten, and he is loving it. I asked him if he liked his teacher yesterday, and he said, 'Of course I do!' Thanks for helping my baby get adjusted and have such a positive start.”

Is there an NEISD employee who is helping you get this school year off to a great start? You can let them know by sending them a Staff Shout Out by visiting neisd.net/shoutouts

“Today, I’m living my dream as the Dance Director at Madison High School.”

The start of the school year is a dream come true for Dana Melton. She is a proud product of North East ISD and now a proud employee of the District that helped shape her.

Melton attended Longs Creek Elementary School and Driscoll Middle School before graduating from MacArthur High School. While at MacArthur, Melton was a varsity dancer with the Brahmadoras. It was that experience at MacArthur that started her on this path toward success.

“My passion for dance, inspired by my incredible dance director, Stephanie Exum, led me to pursue the same path and follow in her footsteps,” said Melton. “Today, I’m living my dream as the Dance Director at Madison High School — inspiring the next generation of dancers in the very district that shaped me. I love what I do, and I’m grateful every day to give back to the community and the role that once inspired me.”

Dana is living her dream #theNEISDway.

Big or small, we all have a story to tell. Tell us your NEISD story at neisd.net/tellyourstory