Working together for student academic success by providing nutritious meals in a cost effective and pleasant environment.
About
Calendars
District calendars are listed and approved two years in advance. For individual schools, only campuses with Google Calendars are featured here.
Buses
NISD's mission is to provide all NISD students who are eligible to ride the bus a safe, efficient, nurturing environment that supports the educational and extra-curricular objectives of the district.
Vaccinations
Northside ISD continues to enforce its “No Shots, No School” policy. Texas law requires all public school children have current immunizations in order to attend class.
Campus Information
Year Open:
Bond Year:
School Mascot: Explorers
School Colors: Purple, Gold
Mission Statement: Our Cole family has an unwavering commitment to cultivate a nurturing learning environment that embraces diversity, strengthens and empowers innovative lifelong learners, in preparation for an ever changing global community.
Tod Kuenning - Principal
Hello Explorer families!
We are looking forward to making every day at Cole something special and are excited about the opportunity we have to learn together. Our school is focused on the whole child and we understand that learning happens in different ways for everyone so our goal is to work together to make sure we all experience success even though we all know the value of experiencing the struggle to get there. Through high standards in academics, a focus on Social Emotional learning, and a never ending desire to engage our students in meaningful, thought-provoking and engaging lessons our staff is excited to make Cole the best school experience possible for our students.
I have had the pleasure of serving as the Principal of Bennie L. Cole Elementary since we opened in 2016 and look forward to continuing to grow with this amazing school. We are striving every day to live up to the inspiring legacy Mr. Cole and his wife Edith have set before us and it is our mission to continue to grow and be a leading school for all others to follow. Before coming here I had the pleasure of working as a Special Education Teacher and Coordinator, a Vice Principal, and a Principal for other Northside schools. Please feel free to contact me at tod.kuenning@nisd.net or call 210-398-2100.
Explore the adventure and create the future!
We are looking forward to making every day at Cole something special and are excited about the opportunity we have to learn together. Our school is focused on the whole child and we understand that learning happens in different ways for everyone so our goal is to work together to make sure we all experience success even though we all know the value of experiencing the struggle to get there. Through high standards in academics, a focus on Social Emotional learning, and a never ending desire to engage our students in meaningful, thought-provoking and engaging lessons our staff is excited to make Cole the best school experience possible for our students.
I have had the pleasure of serving as the Principal of Bennie L. Cole Elementary since we opened in 2016 and look forward to continuing to grow with this amazing school. We are striving every day to live up to the inspiring legacy Mr. Cole and his wife Edith have set before us and it is our mission to continue to grow and be a leading school for all others to follow. Before coming here I had the pleasure of working as a Special Education Teacher and Coordinator, a Vice Principal, and a Principal for other Northside schools. Please feel free to contact me at tod.kuenning@nisd.net or call 210-398-2100.
Explore the adventure and create the future!
Rachel Brisco - Associate Principal
The Associate Principal also serves as the Campus Behavior Coordinator. They can be reached by email at rachel.brisco@nisd.net or by phone at 210-398-2100.
Hello, my name is Rachel Brisco, the Associate Principal of Bennie L. Cole Elementary School. I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all of you. I am originally from San Antonio and have lived here most of my life. I am a proud graduate of Fox Tech High School in SAISD. I attended UTSA, earning my Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have thirteen years of teaching experience in the classroom. I taught 2nd grade in Virginia for two years and kindergarten and 5th grade for eleven years at Aue Elementary in Northside. While teaching, I earned my Master’s in Educational Leadership from Trinity University in December 2021. When not at Cole, I spend time with family, read historical fiction novels, and travel.
Our school is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where your children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together with our committed team of teachers and staff, we strive to create a learning experience that encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love for knowledge. I look forward to working alongside the Explorer family to cultivate a nurturing learning environment that empowers lifelong learners.
Dina Martinez
Administrator Intern
Hello Explorer Families,
My name is Dina Martinez, I am excited to serve as the Administrator Intern here at Bennie L. Cole.
I obtained my Bachelor's degree from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. I began my teaching career in Northside 20 years ago as a first, second and third grade teacher at Cable Elementary and Hoffmann Elementary. In 2012, I had the privilege of joining Judge Andy Mireles Elementary in its inaugural year where I taught second and third grade as an ESL teacher. In 2014, I earned a Master’s degree in Leadership Development and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. I am honored to have been a part of this amazing Cole Elementary staff since its opening in 2016 as a first grade collaborative teacher as well as a second and third grade team leader and teacher. In my spare time, I enjoy solving crossword puzzles, spending time with family and friends and watching Sunday football. I remain steadfast and committed to our campus mission of providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where your children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
