Twenty-two campuses get new principals; four new SSOs announced

Almost two dozen campuses have been assigned new leaders since school let out for the summer, with 14 elementary schools, three middle schools, two middle colleges, and three high schools seeing new principals. Superintendent of Schools Terry Grier also announced the hiring of four new School Support Officers: three at the elementary level and one at the high school level. Brief bios for all of them are below.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

• Briscoe ES—A product of HISD’s Alternative Certification Program, Franklin Cahuasqui began his career in education in 2005 as a fifth-grade bilingual teacher at Seguin ES. For the past two years, he has served as an assistant principal at Hartman MS, where he led the development of the Magnet School of Health and Medical Science. Cahuasqui holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Sam Houston State University.
• Burnet ES—Ana Cantu last served HISD as the assistant principal of Petersen ES. She began her educational career 21 years ago, as a teacher in the Department of Defense’s Early Childhood Department. Her past positions include G/T specialist, bilingual coordinator, and Title I coordinator in Clear Creek ISD. Cantu holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, and earned her master’s in educational administration from Lamar University.
• Fondren ES—Michael Walker, who was the principal of Fondren from 2006 until 2013, has been selected to lead that campus again this fall. He came to HISD from Hempstead and Spring Branch ISDs, and he has been recognized with a number of awards, including H-E-B Elementary Principal of the Year. Walker has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida A&M University and a master’s in educational administration from Texas A&M University. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in educational administration through Walden University.
• Garden Villas ES—Meron Tekle is currently serving as dean of students at YES Prep North Forest. She started her educational career at YES Prep North Central, where she taught sixth-grade math, science, and math intervention. She was then recruited and served as the founding teacher and administrator to North Forest ISD’s YES Prep partnership school, where she taught math and led as the grade-level chair. Tekle holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. John’s University and a master’s in business administration from Rice University. She was also a member of the fourth cohort of the Rice Educational Entrepreneurship Program.
• Hilliard ES—Dr. Mokysha Benford is currently serving as an assistant principal at Forest Brook MS. She previously served as dean of accountability and as a Title I instructional coach. She began her educational career 15 years ago as a classroom teacher in La Marque ISD. Dr. Benford holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Houston, and a doctorate from Texas Southern University.
• Jefferson ES—Siomara Saenz-Phillips began her educational career as a high-school government and middle-school English teacher in McAllen ISD. She has worked for Community EducationPartners (CEP) as an education specialist and a learning community instructional leader. In HISD,she taught at the Gregory Lincoln Education Center and served as an assistant principal atScarborough ES and Neff ES. For the last six years she has been the principal atSouthmayd ES. Saenz-Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas – PanAmerican. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Houston and has begun her doctoralstudies there.
• Mading ES—Nicole Haskins is currently serving as the assistant principal of Marshall Middle School. She began her educational career in HISD as an elementary teacher, and later served as a district administrator in the Sacramento City Unified School District. Haskins holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Stillman College, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas Southern University. She is currently completing a doctor of educational administration degree from Texas Southern University.
• Neff ES—Amanda Wingard started her career in HISD as an elementary teacher in 2003 at the same school she both attended and will be leading this fall. She previously served as an instructional coordinator and assistant principal there. Wingard earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and her master’s from the University of Houston Downtown. She received her principal certification through the Principal Academy for Collaborative Engagement.
• Patterson ES—Juan Gonzales is currently completing his 13th year as the principal of Briscoe ES. He began his educational career in HISD as a bilingual teacher at Sutton Elementary, and served as an assistant principal at Edison MS. Gonzales holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s of education from the University of Houston.
• Peterson ES—Lysette Cooper began her journey as an educator in 2000 as a third-grade reading teacher with Clear Creek ISD. She began her career in HISD as a fifth-grade ESL and G/T teacher at Milne ES, but she has also served as the instructional coordinator and assistant principal there. Cooper received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston. She also holds a master’s degree in education leadership.
• Sherman ES—Benjamin Hernandez began his career in HISD in 2002 as a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Lantrip ES. After nine years as a teacher, he moved out of the classroom and into the role of Teacher Development Specialist for the Apollo 20 elementary schools. Hernandez has also served as a project manager for the EdPlan formative assessment system and an academic program manager for TIF 3 and TIF 4 federal grants. Hernandez is a native Houstonian and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Houston.
• Southmayd ES—Sandra Cisneros became a member of Team HISD in 2005 when she started teaching at Moreno ES. In 2010, she served as an instructional specialist at Bonner ES and was named their assistant principal in 2012. Cisneros earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston and her master’s degree in educational administration from Sam Houston State University.
• Stevens ES—Jennifer Barrientez is currently serving as the elementary mathematics curriculum director for Harmony Public Schools. She also served as the principal of Meador ES in Willis ISD and assistant principal at The Rusk School in HISD. She began her educational career 11 years ago as a classroom teacher in Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD. Barrientez holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Sam Houston State University, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Sam Houston State University.
• Walnut Bend ES—Michele Dahlquist has 21 years of teaching experience and 10 years of experience in school administration. She served both as a district coordinator of gifted programs and as adjunct faculty for the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education. Dahlquist holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lyon College in Arkansas. She has done extensive graduate work in the fields of gifted education and curriculum and instruction, and earned her master’s degree in educational administration and leadership from Lamar University.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

• Black MS—Paolo Castagnoli is currently serving as the dean of students at East Early College HS. He has been with HISD for the last nine years, working both as a teacher and an assistant principal at Scarborough HS. Prior to joining Team HISD, Castagnoli taught social studies for six years at the YES Prep Southeast campus, where he also served as the department chair. Castagnoli holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Houston.
• Fonville MS—Iris Reyes is currently serving as associate principal of Revere MS, where she also served as the dean of students. She began her career as an elementary bilingual and ESL teacher in HISD, and has also worked as an Alternative Certification Program trainer. Reyes holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Texas Christian University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston. She received her principal certificate from the University of Houston-Victoria.
• Hartman MS—Stephen Linkous is currently serving as the principal of Kepner Middle School in Denver, Colorado. He began his career in education 19 years ago as an English as a Second Language and social studies teacher. He has also served as a football/track coach and dean of students. Linkous holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Park College. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Denver.

MIDDLE COLLEGES

• Middle College High School at HCC Fraga—Angelica Vega is currently serving HISD as a performance and continuous improvement manager in the Office of School Support. Prior to that, she served as a dean of students at East Early College HS and a math teacher at Stevenson MS. Vega holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Texas A&M University-College Station. She also earned a master’s degree in school leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
• Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton—Diana Del Pilar has served as the principal of Helms Elementary School for the last four years. She was previously in Spring Branch ISD for six years and served as assistant principal and school improvement specialist for English and Spanish language arts. Del Pilar also served Aldine ISD for 15 years as a bilingual instructional specialist, a bilingual teacher, and a teacher assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas.

HIGH SCHOOLS

• Jones HS—Geovanny Ponce has been the principal of Hartman Middle School for two years, but he has also served as a teacher, dean of instruction, assistant principal, and campus network specialist. He was recognized as the New Principal of the Year in 2013 and Assistant Principal of the Year in 2012. Ponce was also a member of the 2012 cohort of the Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program. Ponce received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Honduras, a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Houston, and his teaching certification from St. Thomas University. He is presently working on his doctorate in education at Duplichain University.
• Lee HS—Jonathan Trinh has 19 years of experience as an educator, most recently as the dean/associate principal of Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy. He has been recognized with a number of awards for excellent teaching, including the Exxon Science Teacher of the Year Award, MIT’s Inspirational Teacher Award, and the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association’s Number Sense Coach of the Year Award. Trinh has also coached University Interscholastic League state championship teams in math and science for five years. Trinh holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Texas Southern University and a master’s degree in school administration from Lamar University.
• Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center—Rupak Gandhi is currently serving as the principal of Neff ES. Prior to that, he served as an assistant principal at Lee HS. Gandhi began his educational career eight years ago as a special education resource teacher at Coop ES. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in special education from Grand Canyon University.

SCHOOL SUPPORT OFFICERS

Elementary School Office 2

• Dr. Phillip Hickman most recently served HISD as the assistant superintendent of School Support Services, but he has also been a principal, assistant principal, dean, counselor, and school psychologist. Dr. Hickman holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri–Columbia. He also received a master’s degree in educational administration from Southern Illinois University in Evansville, and a doctorate in education from St. Louis University.
• Diana Gibson-Johnson began her career in HISD as a teacher at Harvard ES, but she has also served as an assistant principal at Tijerina ES, and the principal of R.P. Harris ES, Clinton Park ES (now closed), and most recently, Windsor Village ES. She also has experience as an executive principal and lead principal. Under her leadership at R.P. Harris and Windsor Village, the campuses achieved the state’s highest rating. Gibson-Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas Southern University.

Elementary School Office 3

• Erick Pruitt served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps before beginning his career in education. He worked in Chicago Public Schools for 16 years, serving as a teacher, New Leaders resident principal, contract principal, and deputy chief of schools. Pruitt earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Purdue University, his master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago, and his doctorate in education leadership from National Louis University.

High Schools Office

• Dr. Esther Omogbehin is a veteran administrator with a remarkable record of success in improving schools at all levels. She has also traveled extensively, assisting schools in Ghana and Nigeria, and she has held several leadership roles as a presenter and implementer. Dr. Omogbehin joined the San Diego Unified School District in 1994 as a classroom teacher and held a number of other positions: staff developer, literacy administrator, beginning teacher support provider, vice principal, principal, and lead principal. She continues to be a mentor to aspiring leaders and teachers. Dr. Omogbehin holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Language Arts, a master’s degree in multicultural education, and a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University.