Author Archives: HISD Communications

Drones taking students on flights of STEM fancy

Rice camp introduces students to careers related to these devices

Drones are making headlines more and more often in the news these days, and about a dozen HISD students have been learning about these high-tech devices — and the careers they’re used in — during a camp held at Rice University.

The sixth- to ninth-grade students, who attend DeBakey High School, HSPVA, Lanier Middle School, Revere Middle School, the T.H. Rogers School, and Valley West Elementary School, spent three days learning how to design, engineer, and pilot drones in mid-August.

Continue reading →

Mesha Greene selected as principal of Woodson Leadership Academy

Mesha Greene has been appointed principal of Woodson Leadership Academy. Ms. Greene served as principal of Fain Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia, for the past five years. Prior to this position, she served as a district model teacher leader, collaborating with K-8 teachers throughout the district to strengthen their math practices. She also served as assistant principal, instructor of gifted and talented students, and middle-grades math teacher. Ms. Greene began teaching in 2000 as a seventh-grade math teacher at Woodland Middle School in Fulton County Public Schools, Fulton, Georgia, and was identified as an exemplary teacher.

Ms. Greene earned a bachelor of science in Finance from University of West Georgia. She has a master’s of Middle Grades Mathematics Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Middle Grades Education from Mercer University. She is currently completing her doctorate of philosophy in Educational Leadership from Mercer University.

Geraldine Russ Cox appointed principal of Highland Heights Elementary

Geraldine Russ Cox has been selected to be principal of Highland Heights Elementary School. Mrs. Cox comes to HISD with a record of more than 30 years of achievement in the educational arena across multiple settings. For the past four years, she has worked in Illinois as a chief turnaround officer. Prior to her tenure in Illinois, she successfully led two elementary schools in Greensboro, North Carolina. Under her leadership, each campus was recognized as a Most Improved School in Guilford County

Mrs. Cox holds both a bachelor’s degree in Child Development & Family Relations and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from North Carolina A&T State University. She received an additional master’s degree in Educational Administration from Gardner Webb University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

Leigha Curry named new principal of Elrod Elementary School

Leigha Curry has been appointed principal of Elrod Elementary School. Ms. Curry began her career as a fourth-grade teacher in Aldine ISD before joining HISD in 2008 as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Codwell Elementary School. She also served as Codwell’s instructional technologist, helping teachers and students integrate technology tools into their everyday teaching and learning. After six years of teaching, Ms. Curry joined the administration at Mading Elementary, where she was a teacher specialist and interim principal. Most recently, she served as elementary math teacher development specialist.

Ms. Curry received her bachelor of arts from University of Houston-Downtown and her master’s in Education from Texas Southern University. She is currently a doctoral student at Texas Southern University.

Reginald Bush selected as principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary

Reginald Bush has been appointed principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School. Mr. Bush previously served as assistant principal at Burrus Elementary School. He began his career at HISD teaching seventh- and eighth-grade social studies at M. C. Williams Middle School, where he also served as dean of students, district coordinator for after-school programs, and instructional interventionist.

Mr. Bush holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Delta State University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Steven Stapleton appointed principal of McReynolds Middle School

Steven Stapleton has been selected to be principal of McReynolds Middle School. He began his teaching career at Madisonville Consolidated ISD and Dickinson ISD as a physics and chemistry teacher. He then moved to Alvin ISD, where he served as district technology-curriculum specialist, assistant principal, and most recently, director of professional learning and innovative teaching.

Mr. Stapleton received his bachelor of science in Biology with a concentration in teaching from University of Texas at Austin. He earned his master’s in Education Administration from Lamar University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University.

Nicole Ayen-Metoyer named principal of Gregory-Lincoln Education Center

Nicole Ayen-Metoyer has been selected as principal of Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. She began her career at HISD in special education as a resource teacher, and she later became department chairperson at Dogan Elementary. Ms. Ayen-Metoyer also served as evaluation specialist, response-to-intervention coordinator, and teacher development specialist. After 13 years of teaching and central office experience, she joined the administration team at Hogg Middle School as lead assistant principal.

Ms. Ayen-Metoyer received her bachelor of science in English from University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, and her master’s degree in library services from University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

Traci Bryant Lightfoot selected as principal of Bruce Elementary School

Traci Bryant Lightfoot has been appointed principal of Bruce Elementary. Ms. Lightfoot has served in a variety of roles during her 24 years in education, including teacher, program coordinator, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She began her career in HISD as a fifth-grade teacher and campus specialist at Barrick Elementary. She also served as a national trainer and school improvement specialist at the University of Houston. After two years of assisting struggling schools, Ms. Lightfoot worked at Klein ISD as an instructional specialist and program coordinator of Title 1 schools for five years. She returned to HISD in 2011 as a science teacher at Cullen Middle School, and was named assistant principal one year later.

Ms. Lightfoot received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Abilene Christian University and her master’s degree in Education from Prairie View A & M.

Mar Azcarraga appointed principal of Roosevelt Elementary School

Mar Azcarraga has been selected as principal of Roosevelt Elementary School. She has been part of Team HISD for 13 years, during which time she served at the elementary level as curriculum developer, bilingual teacher, and in other leadership capacities, including grade chairperson, math lead, and presenter. Most recently, Ms. Azcarraga served as assistant principal of Hartman Middle School for three years.

Ms. Azcarraga received a bachelor of science degree in Computer Science from University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

Nirmol Lin selected as principal of Park Place Elementary

Nirmol Lim has been appointed as principal of Park Place Elementary. Most recently, Ms. Lim was serving as dean of instruction at Hartman Middle School, and has been a part of the Hartman team for the last three years. Prior to this, she served as a math teacher development specialist, collaborating with K-5 teachers throughout the district to strengthen their math practices. Ms. Lim began her teaching career in 2003 at Seguin Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher and was identified as an ASPIRE Highly Effective Teacher for two consecutive years.

Ms. Lim earned her bachelor of science in Psychology from University of Houston and her master’s in Educational Administration from Sam Houston State University. She is currently completing her doctorate of education in Public School Administration from Texas A & M University.

News Blog

News from Houston ISD