Bryan Bordelon has been selected as the new principal of Sharpstown International School. He began his teaching career as an English Language Arts teacher at Scarborough High School in 2007. Bordelon served as an ELA Teacher Development Specialist, the principal of Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, and assistant principal of Westbury High School. Most recently, Bordelon was an assistant principal at Austin High School. He graduated from the University of Texas and holds a master of arts in Chinese studies from the University of Michigan and a master of arts from the University of Texas in educational administration.
Author Archives: HISD Communications
HISD principals #ShadowAStudent
Several principals in the Bellaire feeder pattern became students for a day as they follow around a lucky scholar to experience their typical day in order to better understand their campuses and how they can improve the academic experience.
Melissa Alvarez-Centeno named new principal of Red Elementary
Melissa Alvarez-Centeno has been named the principal of Red Elementary School. Growing up, she attended HISD schools, and during her 22 years of employment with the district, she has had many roles, including teacher’s assistant, bilingual teacher, academic tutor, literacy coach, instructional coordinator, teacher specialist, and assistant principal. She has a passion for working with diverse student populations and has developed the skills required to enhance educational opportunities for all students. Alvarez-Centeno holds a bachelor of arts in Elementary Education with a specialty in Bilingual Education from the University of Houston-Downtown and an M.ED. in Educational Administration from Sam Houston State University. She is married and has two children.
Jesse Herrera named new principal of The Rusk School
Jesse Herrera has been named the new principal of The Rusk School. Most recently, he served for more than three years as the chief operating officer for the national office of AVANCE, an innovative family education and support center dedicated to empowering families to break the cycle of poverty. For eight years before that, Herrera served as the principal of Sanchez Elementary School, which earned the state’s top academic rating for student performance under his leadership. Before that, Herrera served as assistant principal at Crespo and Park Place elementary schools. He is a Houston native with a bachelor of fine arts in Radio/Television/Film from Sam Houston State University and a masters of education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. Herrera and wife Natalie have two sons.
Tracie Hart-Jackson named new principal of Gross Elementary
Tracie Hart-Jackson has been named principal of Gross Elementary School. She is a graduate of Ross Sterling High School and began her career as a kindergarten teacher in the North Forest School District. Hart-Jackson served for seven years as an assistant principal and six years as a principal at Thurgood Marshall Early Childhood Center. In 2011, while at Marshall, she was named Principal of the Year. Hart-Jackson transitioned to HISD in 2012, becoming principal of Halpin Early Childhood Center. She has a bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education and a masters in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.
Myra Castle-Bell named new principal of Kelso Elementary
Myra Castle-Bell has been selected as the new principal of Kelso Elementary School. Castle-Bell attended HISD schools, graduating from Jack Yates High School. She has 17 years of experience in HISD elementary and middle schools, beginning as a teacher and literacy coach at The Rusk School and Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. Castle-Bell then became an instructional specialist at Lewis Elementary School, and most recently served as assistant principal at Edison Middle School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Prairie View A&M and holds a masters degree in both Guidance and Counseling and Educational Leadership.
Connie Smith named new principal of Thomas Middle School
Connie Smith has been selected as the new principal of Thomas Middle School. She brings to the position more than 18 years of experience in secondary schools. She began her career as a high school biology teacher in the New Orleans Parish School System before moving to Houston and becoming a science teacher at Jackson Middle School. In 2010, Smith became assistant principal, and later she was the dean of instruction at Ortiz Middle School. In 2014, she was promoted to the principal of Kelso Elementary School, where she served the district for two years. Smith has a bachelor of science in biology from Dillard University and a masters in educational mid-management from Prairie View A&M University.
Dan De León named new principal of Sharpstown High School
Dan De León has been selected as the new principal of Sharpstown High School. He is currently the principal of The Rusk School, where he has served since 2015. De León began his career with HISD in 1988 as a teacher and has been the principal at Carrillo Elementary, Edison Middle, and Chavez High School. After graduating from HISD schools, De León earned a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has completed graduate work at the University of Houston and Texas A&M University.
Maria “Lola” Perejon-Lasheras named new principal of Helms Elementary
Maria “Lola” Perejon-Lasheras has been appointed principal of Helms Elementary School. Perejon-Lasheras has served HISD in various capacities for more than 16 years. Prior to this, she was assistant principal at Helms, and before that a curriculum specialist in the HISD Curriculum Department. Perejon-Lasheras holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Complutense University of Madrid. She obtained her principal’s certification through University of St. Thomas.
John Baker named new principal of Marshall Elementary
John Baker has been appointed principal of Marshall Elementary School. Baker has served HISD as a principal for more than 10 years. Prior to this, he was the principal of Helms Elementary School, and before that, he served as the principal of Browning, Davila, and Twain elementary schools. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of Houston.