2023 Charles Butt Foundation Scholars
The Charles Butt Scholarship program carefully chooses gifted and varied students who aspire to become teachers and exhibit leadership skills. The program provides financial and professional support to these individuals throughout their journey of becoming a teacher. The selection process is rigorous and thorough.
Adrian Medina
A senior education major from Port Arthur, Texas, Adrian is dedicated to pursuing certification in ESL EC-6 instruction. Raised in a single-parent household, Adrian and his father fostered a strong connection between their family, the school, and the community. Inspired by this experience, Adrian aspires to become an educator to support other families of early childhood students in building trust with their school and community, ultimately fostering greater involvement in their child's education as they progress. Adrian's teaching aspirations encompass grades pre-k through second, with a focus on the Central or South Texas region.
Breanna Meier
Originally from Houston, Breanna has always been interested in pursuing education. Her amazing teachers helped further grow Breanna's love for teaching. She hopes to teach elementary school math after graduation. Breanna is unsure of where she wants to teach, but plans on staying in Texas!
Cadie Masterson
Growing up in Houston, Cadie was inspired to become a teacher by her third-grade teacher Ms. Marzouk, because it made her realize how much fun school could be with a teacher who cares about her students personally. After graduation, Cadie would like to teach 3rd grade.
Danielle Pennington
Originally from Waco, Texas, Danielle was inspired to become a teacher when she started working at an Elementary school during her senior year of high school. These students made her realize how much she enjoyed working with kids, and how much of an impact she can make on their life in just one school year. Danielle would love to teach first grade at a school along the Texas Coast.
Gracie Snapka
Gracie is from Houston, Texas, and was inspired to become a teacher through her own early struggles as a student with ADHD. She was inspired by her favorite teachers, as they supported her learning processes. After graduation, Gracie plans on teaching in San Antonio.
Hannah Palomo
Hannah Palomo is a senior from Boerne, Texas. Having amazing and caring teachers inspired her to want to change many lives and become a teacher. Hannah has been around kids her entire life, and enjoys being someone they can come to for help. Following graduation, she could see herself staying in the San Antonio area, or moving to other Texas cities such as Dallas.
Jyra Thurmond
Originally from Dime Box, Texas, Jyra always had an eye for teaching, from playing school with her stuffed animals to teaching Sunday School at church. A big part of why she wants to teach is her mother, who has been a teacher for many years. Seeing her dedication to her students really made Jyra value teaching.
After graduation, Jyra would like to start a teaching career in the Houston school district, and hopefully teach 2nd grade.
Kasie Mills
Kasie Mills is originally from the state of Vermont, but has lived in Texas since 2019. She would like to teach kindergarten or first grade in the Austin area. She comes from two generations of teachers, and although had initially taken another path at Texas State, Kasie found herself wanting to build a career teaching young minds. She finds working with kids rewarding and enjoys seeing their growth and personalities blossom. Kasie has been working at a preschool for a little over a year now, and has loved her time there. She is excited to be a full-time teacher after graduation!
Sanaah Listenbee
Sanaah is from Houston, Texas, and for many generations, her family has been filled with a drive of passion and love for teaching the next generations. She says this is what truly inspired her to become a teacher. She loves the idea of being able to teach kids while also being their biggest cheerleader in life. After graduation, Sanaah is open to the idea of teaching K- 3rd grade anywhere and is also looking into teaching abroad in the future.
Sofia Martinez
Sofia is a senior at Texas State University, earning her degree in Education with an elementary-level core ESL. She is a 2020 graduate of Del Rio Early College High School in Del Rio, Texas. Sofia was inspired to become a teacher when she was a little girl helping her cousins with homework. Her goal in teaching is to inspire her students that education is filled with many possibilities for their future. After graduation, Sofia wants to return to her hometown and teach kindergarten at her former school Ruben Chavira Elementary.