Principal's Message

Spring Branch ISD has named Patricia Kassir as the new director at Spring Branch Academic Institute (SBAI). The institute offers highly personalized instruction for highly gifted student groups in three campus settings. At SBAI, educational opportunities are tailored to meet the students’ specialized academic and affective needs, and leverage their individual abilities, strengths and interests.

The school district opened SBAI in 2013. Since its founding, SBAI has established partner campuses located on the Thornwood Elementary, Spring Forest Middle and Stratford High campuses.

Director Kassir has 27 years of education service in public and private schools. For the past three years, she has served in SBISD administration as the Coordinator of Personalization. Prior to that appointment, she taught Gifted & Talented students in 3rd through 5th grades at The Bendwood School. During her 12 years there, she created and delivered interdisciplinary curriculum to about 2,000 students with multiple abilities from 25 separate schools. 

Earlier, Director Kassir was a bilingual teacher and gifted/talented facilitator for two years at Pine Shadows Elementary School. She has also taught in HISD, and for two years in Lebanon, she was an English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Third Language instructor in a private secondary school.

Director Kassir received a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary studies, cum laude, from the University of Houston, and also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership with principal certification from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. 

In addition, she earned a Texas endorsement in gifted and talented education. Her commitment to educational excellence for children from all walks of life has earned her numerous awards, including the highly coveted Texas Science Teacher of the Year Award presented to her by the Texas Medical Association.   

“Our world is rapidly changing, and the skills and dispositions needed to thrive in the global economy of tomorrow need to be taught and developed today,” Director Kassir said. “We are committed to nurturing the potential of each one of our children. We wholeheartedly believe that greatness exists in every student who chooses SBAI, and through the education we curate for them, we empower them to realize that greatness.”

Directory Kassir replaces Lynne Barry, who is now serving as principal at Meadow Wood Elementary.

Source:  The School Zone News