They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it also takes a village to lift someone up when they are in the biggest battle of their lives. This is a thank you to the village at Krueger School of Applied Technologies (KSAT).
Last summer, KSAT teacher Christin Herrada got the news no one wants to get. She had cancer. The same cancer that took her brother’s life 14 years ago.
“Stage 3 colorectal cancer. I was shocked. My world was turned upside down.”
While the news was devastating, her doctors had a plan. And just as important, her KSAT family had a plan. Treating cancer is often called a battle, and Herrada had the best soldiers on her side. Cancer forced Herrada to take time off, but long-term North East ISD substitute teacher Irma Kramer was there.
“She was very instrumental in me returning to the classroom and hitting the ground running. She set my classes up for success.”
But Kramer wasn’t the only one in this cancer fight with Herrada. KSAT Exploring Multimedia teacher Charles Gentles helped Kramer with rosters and directions. KSAT Math teacher Alyse Heinricks took on Herrada’s team leader position. KSAT Computer Science teacher Kala Griffin pulled in a team of prayer warriors from her church to pray for Herrada and provide meals for her family. KSAT Administrative Assistant Michelle Sorrell helped, and KSAT Manufacturing teacher Joel Mink stepped up. KSAT Science Teacher Maria Guerrero was always there with positivity and a listening ear. On chemo days, KSAT Engineering teacher Tracy Thomas was there. KSAT English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) teacher D’ette Femmel was Herrada’s candy supplier if she ever needed a pick-me-up.
“Battling cancer is supposed to be hard, they say. But with the help, all these people gave to me -- battling cancer has been easy. I witnessed them just taking over on things when I didn’t have the strength or mental clarity to do so. They didn’t ask for anything in return. They just did it.”
NEISD teachers and staff often talk about the family atmosphere of their campuses and community. The team at KSAT proves just how serious they take that commitment to each other.
Battling cancer #theNEISDway
