Nederland Independent School District

Building Better Every Day

Offering the Tools for Success and to ‘Stand on Their Own Two Feet’

Ask anyone connected to the Nederland Independent School District what defines its approach, and you will hear the same theme repeated with pride. Superintendent Dr. Stuart Kieschnick says the district “believes it is not our place to guide students toward a specific profession,” and he adds that the real work is to ensure that “students have the tools to stand on their own two feet and be successful in whatever path they choose.”

The language is straightforward, the promise ambitious, and the result is a system that educates the whole child so that, as Dr. Kieschnick puts it, graduates “become good citizens and can make a good living in whatever field they choose.”

Rooted in a Blue-Collar Community

Nederland is part of a region where refining, construction, and engineering are part of daily life. Dr. Kieschnick describes the area as a place with “a lot of refineries,” which connects naturally to “construction jobs, engineering jobs, and instrumentation jobs.” Families expect the district to honor those realities while keeping doors open to higher education. He says the community “respects that we prepare students for the workforce or for college” and appreciates that graduates are ready to contribute locally and beyond.

The district is more than an employer. It mirrors the people it serves. That shared identity explains why the district’s priorities receive consistent support at the ballot box and in industry boardrooms. The alignment is cultivated through conversation, transparency, and a focus on results that matter to families.

Building the Pathway Early

Career and Technical Education Director Bryan Spell begins describing the pipeline in middle school. He explains that eighth graders can earn high school credit in Robotics I, which “builds that STEM pathway” into high school engineering courses. While robotics appears as early as seventh grade, “the bulk of engineering instruction begins in ninth grade” with courses such as Principles of Engineering and AutoCAD.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Steven Beagle expands on the use of technology, noting that every student has access to a Chromebook or Windows-based device. The district, he says, “uses technology as an accelerator for learning, not a replacement.” He points to the transition to TI Inspire calculators, which provide “features and capabilities that are a tremendous asset” for students exploring concepts interactively.

The district stays current through targeted investments. Spell points to the adoption of VEX Robotics, funded partly by district resources after partners confirmed its use in the local industry. He says the choice was right because “students now practice on systems they later see on the job.”

Partners Who Power STEAM

Nederland ISD’s innovation is amplified by partners who understand applied learning. Dr. Beagle highlights Indorama Ventures, whose collaboration with the Beaumont Children’s Museum produces technology grants for teachers. He calls the grants “a tremendous resource” as they “provide tools and technology needed to be successful with students.”

Dr. Kieschnick says Indorama’s influence goes beyond equipment. The company encouraged the district to evolve from STEM to STEAM by embracing the arts alongside science and engineering. Indorama, he explains, “understands the value of the humanities” as part of educating the whole child. The shift integrates creativity and communication skills that employers value.

Community Investment, Tangible Results

In 2019, voters approved a $156 million bond, which included $82 million for a new high school and a modern CTE center. Dr. Kieschnick says none of today’s opportunities would exist “unless the community is willing to invest,” adding that families “pay for these facilities through tax dollars” because they see the return in student outcomes.

The facilities are not symbolic. They are active learning spaces where students build confidence by working with fundamental tools under the guidance of expert supervision.

Spaces That Teach by Doing

Spell describes two 30-seat computer labs that run AutoCAD and engineering programs, along with four 3D printers and a large-format plotter. He points to a robotics space where VEX teams design, assemble, and test. In the automotive shop— “state of the art,” he says—students use a four-post lift, wheel balancers, and diagnostic systems found in commercial bays.

Health sciences receive similar realism. The six-bed nursing lab replicates both hospital and long-term care settings. Students in the Certified Nursing Assistant program complete clinical hours at local nursing homes. Thanks to Indorama, instructors now use a high-fidelity mannequin that they can “control from another room,” giving students dynamic scenarios that feel authentic.

The district also features a welding shop, an agriculture program, and a construction lab with advanced trainers. Spell is proud of a diagnostic system that lets teachers introduce hidden faults students must identify and fix—a “big step forward,” he says, because it builds deeper understanding.

The culinary arts facility includes a classroom with a live demonstration camera and five commercial-grade kitchen stations. The campus also houses a media studio with green-screen and recording equipment, extending learning into digital production.

CTE for Every Student’s Journey

Spell insists that CTE is not an alternative to the traditional track. “It’s a serious pathway for all students,” he says, whether they plan a four-year degree, immediate employment, or military service. Success, he explains, is about readiness for multiple futures.

A strong partnership with Lamar State College-Port Arthur enables students to earn both dual credit and industry certifications. Spell recalls with pride that “four welding students walked across the stage at Lamar before graduating high school,” proving that district labs meet college-level standards. Dual credit options now include welding, automotive, culinary arts, and business management, with additional options to be added as workforce needs evolve.

Academic Strength and Scholarship Success

Nederland also maintains a strong academic record. Dr. Beagle notes that students earn about four million dollars in scholarships each year. He attributes this to an “outstanding academic program” that includes both dual enrollment and Advanced Placement. Counselors guide students to the best pathway for their goals and help them complete forms that unlock scholarships. “Universities want to support our students,” he says, because they arrive prepared and motivated.

Where Standards Inspire Success

When asked why the community responds with such consistent support, Dr. Beagle emphasizes alignment. He says the district and its families share a belief in “developing the whole child” and ensuring that every student receives the help they need to succeed. That shared purpose builds the trust reflected in community partnerships and voter support.

Dr. Kieschnick adds that Nederland “has always been one of the best at what we do.” Expectations matter, he says, because they shape behavior. “Failure is not an option—we are going to find a way to be successful.” It is a community standard that administrators, teachers, and students are expected to take seriously.

Legacy of Leadership

After thirty-five years in education, Dr. Kieschnick will retire in December. He acknowledges that accountability has increased, but says his faith in education’s purpose has not wavered. “Education is the most powerful force in the world,” he says, “because it changes lives forever.” For him, the honor lies in service and in outcomes that endure long after graduation.

Advisory Voices That Shape the Future

Sustaining success requires more than slogans. Dr. Beagle explains that the district has built systems designed to be “fail-proof”—not that nothing can go wrong, but that performance does not depend on one person. “We continue to refine those systems,” he says, so the district remains strong as leadership evolves.

Spell focuses on talent retention. In CTE, the top priority is to “keep and retain the quality people we have teaching our students.” Instructors from industry bring real-world experience that connects theory to practice. Their leadership, he says, directly drives student success.

Another stabilizing force is the advisory committee structure, which brings industry input into curriculum design. Spell calls the requirement “a good thing” because members “tell you what is happening right now in their industry.” He notes that many professionals request to join advisory groups after seeing the district’s impact on the regional workforce.

From Classroom to Career

A prime example of this collaboration is the partnership with Bechtel. Dr. Beagle explains that the advisory committee identified a shortage of pipefitters while Bechtel was preparing its LNG project at Sabine Pass. The company stepped in, donating more than $150,000 in equipment and curriculum. The district then aligned instruction with NCCER standards through a local trade school.

The results are precise. Spell reports that over three years, Bechtel hired about twenty pipefitting apprentices and six welders, with “sixteen or seventeen still with them.” Others advanced to higher-paying roles. To celebrate these outcomes, the district now hosts CTE signing ceremonies similar to athletic signings—events that highlight technical achievement and career pride.

Staying on the Mountain

Looking ahead, the leadership team keeps the message simple. Dr. Kieschnick says Nederland sits atop the region’s performance mountain, but “staying on top is harder than getting there.” The strategy remains steady: relationships first, and continuous improvement every day.

With strong systems, committed teachers, and partners who invest in students, Nederland ISD demonstrates what happens when a community supports its schools, and in return, the schools honor the community. The district believes in the power of education, and that belief is visible in every classroom, lab, and shop where students practice the skills that change lives. In Nederland, excellence is not a headline—it is a habit that grows stronger every day.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Nederland Independent School District

What: A student-focused public school district dedicated to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement across its seven schools, which serve approximately 5, 400 students

Where: Nederland, Texas

Website: www.nederland.k12.tx.us