HISD announces new additions to leadership team
HISD welcomed three new leaders to its administrative team recently: Senior Manager of Multimedia Services Dave Einsel, Chief Special Projects Officer Andrew Houlihan, and Assistant Superintendent for High School Completion Jaime Castañeda.
Dave Einsel is replacing Leila Walsh, who has accepted a position with the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. He is an award-winning photographer with 30 years of experience producing photo and video projects. As director of photography for the Houston Chronicle from 1996-2004, Dave supervised a team of 24 photographers and technicians, and coordinated visual coverage of special events such as the Super Bowl, Olympics, and national political conventions. For the past 8-9 years, Dave has worked as a freelancer for advertising, corporate, and editorial clients. His work has appeared in National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, USA Today, and newspapers and websites worldwide.
As the Senior Manager of Multimedia Services, Einsel will oversee the HISD TV team, which is responsible for producing videos, covering Board meetings and other key events, operating and programming the HISD cable channel, and providing audiovisual and technical support to Hattie Mae White and schools; and the web services team, which manages the district website and works collaboratively with IT on the district’s transition to Schoolwires.
Dr. Andrew Houlihan is filling a position similar to the one previously held by Dr. Julie Baker. He has served as the School Support Officer for the Apollo 20 Elementary Schools, principal of Parker Elementary School, assistant director of the Leadership Development Center in the Austin Independent School District, and director of the Education Leadership Institute at the International Center for Leadership in Education.
As the Chief Special Projects Officer, Dr. Houlihan will oversee new and innovative schools and programs in the district until they are fully implemented and able to sustain themselves independently. Such schools and programs will include: The Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School, The Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, and other potential new magnet schools.
Jaime Castañeda comes to us from his alma mater, Davis High School, where he served as principal for years. He led the campus to TEA Recognized status in the 2008-2009 school year and dramatically increased its graduation rate by implementing an “it takes a village” model to recover and graduate dropouts. His efforts led Davis to have one of the lowest dropout rates among comprehensive high schools in HISD. Castañeda has served on several local and national educational panels including Gear Up, Children at Risk, Parents in Public Schools, and Action Center.
As the Assistant Superintendent for High School Completion, Castañeda will oversee a variety of programs such as the Grad Labs, Twilight High Schools, High School Ahead, etc.
