Siomara Saenz-Phillips has been selected as school support officer for the West Area. She most recently served as the West Area Director. Saenz-Phillips has taught at all levels, from elementary through high school – both outside of and within HISD. She has a vast array of leadership experience, including as the lead principal who led the turnaround work at Jefferson Elementary School. Under her leadership, Jefferson grew from TEA “Improvement Required” to “Met Standard” and continues to show impressive gains in closing the student achievement gap. Saenz-Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas – Pan American. She earned a master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision as a Title III Fellow in the Urban Principals Program at the University of Houston and has begun her doctoral studies at the University of Houston.