Author Archives: HISD Communications

Gina Colion Hernandez named new principal of Herod Elementary School

Gina Colion Hernandez is the new principal for Herod Elementary School. Colion Hernandez is a product of HISD schools and has served as a teacher, instructional specialist, and assistant principal. For the last three years, she has served as the assistant principal at the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School. During her tenure at MIMS, she not only focused on building a strong academic program but on developing Mandarin immersion from pre-K through 8th grade. Colion Hernandez was awarded the West Area Assistant Principal of the Year for 2019 – 2020. Colion Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University and her master’s degree from Lamar University-Beaumont.

Eden Bass named new principal of Love Elementary School

Eden Bass has been selected as the new principal of Love Elementary School. She began her career in HISD as a sixth-grade math teacher at Patrick Henry Middle School and spent the past five years at the Arabic Immersion Magnet School. Bass joined the founding team at AIMS as an Arabic language enrichment teacher. She then moved to the AIMS leadership team and over the years served as magnet coordinator, teacher specialist, and assistant principal. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Wellesley College and a master’s degree in Public School Leadership from Columbia University.

Bronchelle W. Johnson named new principal of Milne Elementary School

Bronchelle W. Johnson has been selected as the new principal at Milne Elementary School. Johnson joined HISD in 2006 as a reading interventionist and then went on to serve as a reading and science teacher at Mitchell Elementary School. She was nominated as HAASBE Teacher of The Year for two consecutive years. She transitioned to the role of teacher specialist in 2011 and then to an assistant principal role at Shadowbriar Elementary Schoo,l where she focused on data-driven instruction, equitable educational systems, tiered interventions, and the student’s social emotional needs. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in Education as well as a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston.

Emeterio Cruz named new principal of Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School

Emeterio Cruz has been selected as the new principal of Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School. Cruz has been with HISD for eleven years, starting as a fifth-grade bilingual teacher at Sutton Elementary School. He served as a teacher specialist at Shearn Elementary School, assistant principal at Pugh and Anderson elementaries, and most recently as the principal of Sanchez Elementary School. Under his leadership, Sanchez has maintained an “A” rating and all six Texas Education Agency’s rating distinctions three years in a row. Cruz earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in Education as part of the HISD Leadership Cohort from the University of Houston.

Nimmi Thomas named new principal of Park Place Elementary School

Nimmi Thomas has been selected as the new principal of Park Place Elementary School. Thomas started her career 20 years ago as a paraprofessional in HISD. She then became a Special Education and ESL teacher at Lamar High School. She has held the position of assistant principal at Lanier Middle School and most recently at Baylor College of Medicine-Biotech Academy at Rusk. Thomas was selected as the Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year for the East Area for 2020. She earned her master’s in Social Work from Bombay University, India, and her MBA-E from The Cameron School of Business at University of St Thomas.

Samyra Rogers named new principal of Pleasantville Elementary School

Samyra Rogers has been selected as the new principal of Pleasantville Elementary School. Rogers began her career in HISD 12 years ago at Holland Middle School as a mathematics teacher. While at Holland, her leadership roles have included department chairperson, teacher specialist, and most recently, assistant principal. She has served Holland as assistant principal for the last three years. Her most recent accomplishment has been her selection as the Achieve 180 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year 2020. Rogers earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University and holds a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas.

Kelli McDonald named new principal of Briargrove Elementary School

Kelli McDonald is the new principal for Briargrove Elementary School. McDonald currently serves as a Dean of Instruction and the Lead Academic Dean for Lamar High School. During her tenure at Lamar, she advised and supported students and parents throughout IB’s Middle Years Program, Career Related Program, and Diploma Program. She began her educational career in elementary school as a classroom teacher in grades 1, 4, and 5, team lead, and curriculum specialist. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and her juris doctorate from South Texas College of Law. 

Cedric Starks named new principal of Frost Elementary School

Cedric Starks has been selected as the new principal of Frost Elementary School. He has been an educator with HISD for 13 years and most recently served as Dean of Instruction at South Early College High School. There he supported the Special Education team, English and Social Studies Department, and Title I. Being a product of HISD, he attended Blackshear Elementary, James D. Ryan Middle School, and Jack Yates High School. His experience ranges from being an English teacher, Instructional Coordinator, Title I Coordinator, and SPED and LPAC Administrator. He holds a bachelor’s in English and Psychology, master’s in Public Administration with a specialization in Government and Policy, master’s in Education Administration, and a master’s in Technology Education. 

Christina Aguirre-Oliva named new principal of Ketelsen ES

Christina Aguirre-Oliva is the new principal of Ketelsen Elementary School. She has been in public education for 24 years, all of which have been with HISD. Aguirre-Oliva began her career in education as a third grade ESL teacher at Wainwright Elementary School. She also worked as an assistant principal at Scarborough High School and the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School. Most recently, Aguirre-Oliva served as the principal of Wainwright Elementary School. An HISD alumni, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Houston and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Library Science.

Cameshia Emerson named new principal of Lockhart Elementary

Cameshia Emerson has been selected as the new principal of Lockhart Elementary School. Emerson has 18 years of experience in the field of education. She started her career as a third-grade teacher in Tennessee and has also served as an instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. Currently, she is an administrator at Hartsfield Elementary School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She also obtained an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Freed-Hardeman University.