Rufino Mendoza Elementary School
Specials Teachers
Email: renee.kiah@fwisd.org
Renee Kiah | Music
Mrs. Renee Kiah is excited to join the Rufino Mendoza Elementary family as our music teacher. With more than 25 years of experience in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and creativity to our Longhorn community. Throughout her career, she has taught music at every level—from Kindergarten through college—helping students discover their voices, develop their talents, and build a lifelong appreciation for music.
Mrs. Kiah is known for being reliable, capable, and a true team player. She values collaboration and believes the best outcomes happen when educators work together, share ideas, and support one another in solving challenges. Her positive spirit and commitment to excellence help create an environment where both students and colleagues feel encouraged to learn and grow.
One of Mrs. Kiah's greatest strengths is helping students develop music literacy through intentional, scaffolded instruction. She believes that strong teaching begins with clear learning objectives, purposeful planning, and engaging experiences that allow students to take an active role in their learning. Her classroom encourages creativity, participation, and self-expression while building the foundational skills students need to be successful musicians.
Mrs. Kiah is committed to continuous learning and professional growth. She actively seeks opportunities to strengthen her instructional practice through curriculum training and professional development, and she is currently learning Spanish to better communicate with and support all students and families within the Rufino Mendoza community.
Outside of school, Mrs. Kiah enjoys spending time with her family, riding bikes, reading, and cooking. She believes these activities help her stay balanced, energized, and ready to bring enthusiasm and joy to her students each day.
Mrs. Kiah hopes her students will remember music as a safe, engaging place where they could be creative, express themselves, and discover new talents. Her goal is to help every student build confidence, find joy in learning, and experience the power of music.
Mrs. Kiah is excited to be part of the Longhorn family and looks forward to helping students learn, create, and shine through music.
Email: shauna.cass@fwisd.org
Shauna Cass | Art
Ms. Shauna Cass is excited to join the Rufino Mendoza Elementary family as our Visual Arts teacher. With 17 years of experience serving students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade, she brings a passion for creativity, student growth, and high-quality instruction to the Longhorn community.
Ms. Cass is known for being prepared, reflective, and student-centered. She believes that every child has the ability to grow as an artist and creative thinker when provided with clear expectations, meaningful feedback, and opportunities to take risks in a supportive environment. Her calm, professional approach helps students feel safe, valued, and confident as they explore their creativity.
One of Ms. Cass's greatest strengths is designing structured, engaging lessons that break complex skills into manageable steps. She believes strong instruction is purposeful, aligned to clear learning goals, and responsive to student needs. Through modeling, guided practice, and ongoing checks for understanding, she helps students build artistic skills while developing confidence in their abilities.
Ms. Cass is committed to continuous improvement and values feedback as a tool for reflection and growth. She carefully studies student work to identify strengths, misconceptions, and opportunities for growth, allowing her to provide targeted support that helps students improve over time. Her goal is to create learning experiences that inspire students to think creatively, persevere through challenges, and take pride in their accomplishments.
Outside of school, Ms. Cass enjoys spending time with family, creating her own artwork, and exploring the outdoors. She believes these experiences help fuel her creativity and allow her to bring fresh energy and perspective into the classroom.
This year, Ms. Cass is excited to build strong relationships with students and families, contribute to campus art initiatives, and showcase outstanding student work at the Annual Art Show. She hopes students leave her classroom feeling empowered by their growth, proud of their creativity, and excited to continue their artistic journey.
Ms. Cass is honored to be part of the Longhorn family and looks forward to helping students learn, create, and thrive through the arts.
Email: erin.strickland@fwisd.org
Erin Strickland | PE
Coach Erin Strickland is excited to join the Rufino Mendoza Elementary family as our Physical Education teacher. With 21 years of experience in education, including teaching grades 1 through 3 and serving students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade Physical Education, she brings energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for helping students develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Coach Strickland is known for being approachable, positive, outgoing, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She believes that strong relationships, teamwork, and a supportive environment are essential for student success. Her goal is to create a PE program where every student feels encouraged, challenged, and excited to participate.
One of Coach Strickland's greatest strengths is her ability to communicate and connect with students through a variety of instructional methods. Whether through verbal instruction, demonstrations, visual models, or hands-on practice, she works to ensure all students understand expectations and feel confident in developing new skills. She believes strong physical education instruction keeps students active, engaged, and moving while providing opportunities for growth at every skill level.
Coach Strickland is committed to helping students develop not only athletic skills, but also confidence, teamwork, perseverance, and healthy lifestyle habits. She uses ongoing observation, demonstrations, student responses, and assessments to monitor progress and adjust instruction to meet students' needs. Her goal is for every child to experience success and discover activities they enjoy.
Outside of school, Coach Strickland loves spending time outdoors. Whether camping, hiking, kayaking, or exploring nature, she enjoys staying active and embracing new adventures. She hopes to inspire students to develop a lifelong appreciation for physical activity and wellness.
Coach Strickland wants her students to leave PE with a passion for sports, fitness, and healthy living, along with the confidence and communication skills needed to encourage others to do the same. Most importantly, she hopes students will remember PE as a fun, positive place where they felt successful and supported.
Coach Strickland is excited to be part of the Longhorn family and looks forward to helping students grow stronger, healthier, and more confident every day.