Meet our First Grade Team by The First Grade Team

Mrs. Cipresso, Mrs. Stein, Mrs. Patrick (Murphy), Ms. Wiech, Mrs. Jhawer, Mrs. Heinold, Mrs. Monroe, Mrs. Lowery

 Mrs. Cipresso grew up in Chicago, Illinois where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She moved to Southern California where she earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University.  Mrs. Cipresso moved to Katy in 2011 with her husband and three children, who also attend elementary, middle and high school in KatyISD.  Mrs. Cipresso enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family and friends.  She is committed to creating a classroom environment where students laugh, learn and enjoy coming to school. 

Mrs. Stein grew up in Katy and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Elementary Education.  She has been teaching first grade for nine years.  Her most cherished years have been the 8 years she has been in Katy ISD.  Before opening up Tom Wilson Elementary three years ago, she worked at Bear Creek Elementary.  Mrs. Stein is married and has two boys, a five year old and twenty-two month old.  In her spare time, Mrs. Stein loves to play with her family and friends, read, cook, and make precious memories with her family.  Mrs. Stein believes in creating a loving classroom environment in which students feel comfortable to share, learn, and grow from each other. 

Mrs. Murphy (also known as Miss Patrick) was born in Canada. She moved to Katy when she was ten and is a graduate of Taylor High School. Mrs. Murphy went to the piney woods of Nacogdoches for college and studied elementary education at Stephen F. Austin State University. She started teaching when she helped open up Tom Wilson Elementary three years ago. Mrs. Murphy just got married this year and she has been enjoying decorating her new house. She also likes to sing, make friends, and travel to her homeland of Canada. Mrs. Murphy loves coming to work every day to laugh and learn with her students.

Miss Wiech grew up in Houston and went to Baylor University where she graduated with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. She began teaching in Katy when she helped open up Tom Wilson Elementary three years ago. Miss Wiech enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, shopping, reading and riding her bike. Miss Wiech believes in creating a classroom where each child knows that they are special and loved.

Mrs. Jhawer grew up in India and started her teaching career as a 4^th grade teacher in 1993. She lived in Bahrain for a couple of years, working as a science teacher in an elementary school, before moving to the United States. She has been a resident of Cinco Ranch since 2001 and has worked in Katy ISD for almost ten years. Mrs. Jhawer is a proud mom of two sons. She loves reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Her passion has always been teaching. She believes in sharing her own passion of learning with her students by creating a fun and loving environment in her classroom and providing her students ample opportunities to reach their full potential. 

Mrs. Heinold graduated from Houston Baptist University and has been teaching full-time for six years. She also taught nine years of preschool while staying home with her kids. Mrs. Heinold has been teaching 1^st grade for five years and helped open TWE three years ago. Mrs. Heinold is married and has two children. Moriah is a sophomore at CRHS, and Micah is a 7^th grader at CRJH. She enjoys spending her time with her family and friends, watching her kids participate in extracurricular activities, reading, and church involvement. Mrs. Heinold enjoys leading the amazing team of 1^st grade teachers, and she loves creating a classroom full of life-long learners.

 

Mrs. Monroe grew up in Houston and went to Texas State University in San Marcos. She has taught first grade her whole teaching career and enjoys watching her students learn and grow. Before teaching in Katy, Mrs. Monroe taught in Houston ISD and Hayes CISD. Mrs. Monroe has two children, a six year old and a four year old. They both keep her very busy. Mrs. Monroe enjoys spending time with friends, traveling with her family, and being outdoors. Mrs. Monroe believes in creating a classroom with open communication where all children feel valued and loved.

 Mrs. Lowery graduated from Texas Tech University and has been teaching for sixteen years.  She  has been teaching in Katy ISD for eleven years and has enjoyed the wonderful families she meets each year. Mrs. Lowery is  married and has three children and one spoiled Golden Retriever.  In her spare time she enjoys running, cooking, traveling , reading  and spending time with her family.  Mrs. Lowery believes in creating a  classroom that is filled with learning, love , and laughter.