Author Archives: HISD Communications

Bertha Espinosa-Garza named new principal of Golfcrest Elementary

20160211_BOE_056It is with great pleasure that we announce Bertha Espinosa-Garza as new principal of Golfcrest Elementary School. She has been a part of Team HISD for 16 years, serving the elementary level as instructional specialist, literacy coach, and bilingual teacher. Most recently, she served for two years as assistant principal of Briscoe Elementary School. Mrs. Espinosa-Garza completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston-Downtown and her graduate studies at Concordia University in Austin.

She received her bachelor of science in Bilingual Education and her masters in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Queinnise Miller named new principal of Smith Elementary

Queinnise Miller poses for a photograph, May 31, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)We are pleased to announce that Dr.
Miller has been selected as the new principal of Smith Elementary School. After 15 years as an educator, she continues to have a passion for teaching and leading. Her motivation for this work is ensuring that all scholars receive a world-class educational experience despite their cultural or economic backgrounds. Dr. Miller has served as an elementary and secondary teacher, department chair, district trainer, and assistant principal in various districts. Her background is in English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, and Foreign Language Instruction. Dr. Miller joined the HISD team three years ago and served as a senior manager for Leadership Development and director in the Office of School Leadership.

Dr. Miller completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston and her graduate studies at Prairie View A&M. She received her bachelor of arts in Spanish, her masters in Educational Administration, and her doctor of philosophy in Educational Leadership. Dr. Miller is married with two children.

Maria Barrientos named new principal of J.P. Henderson Elementary

Maria E. Barrientos (Houston Independent School District)Maria E. Barrientos has 35 years of experience in public education. She began her career with HISD at J.P. Henderson Elementary School. After teaching kindergarten and fourth grade, and completing her administrative internship, Ms. Barrientos took on various leadership roles at JPHES, as well as at other public and charter schools. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses at the university level.

Ms. Barrientos holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Houston Central Campus and a master’s degree in educational mid-management and supervision from Texas Southern University. In addition, she completed her doctoral coursework at Texas Southern University in school administration and educational policy. Ms. Barrientos has certifications in Elementary Education, ESL / Bilingual, Psychology, and Mid-Management.

Ms. Barrientos is the recipient of numerous awards for her dedication and commitment to serving children and families. Most recently she was presented the Humanitarian Award/Public Education Advocate of the Year award by the National Hispanic Professional Organization Houston and the Future National Leader Award by Bank of America.

Victoria Orozco-Martinez named new principal of De Zavala Elementary

Victoria Orozco-Martinez (Houston Independent School District)Victoria Orozco-Martinez has been selected as principal of De Zavala Elementary School.  She has served with distinction in multiple capacities with Team HISD for more than 20 years. Ms. Orozco-Martinez began her career in education in 1994 as a bilingual teacher at Brookline Elementary, where she was subsequently promoted to manage the school’s Title 1 program.  She served next as a bilingual teacher and curriculum coordinator at Golfcrest Elementary, as well as campus literacy coach at Brookline.

In 2008, Ms. Orozco-Martinez made the transition to the district level as a curriculum and content specialist, working extensively in the development of curricula and assessments for five years and supporting campus implementation across HISD.  In 2013, she returned to campus leadership as assistant principal of De Zavala.  During this time, the school was twice identified as a high-performing and high-progress school by the Texas Education Agency. Ms. Orozco-Martinez is a graduate of HISD.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational management from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She has two daughters.

Erika Kimble named new principal of N.Q. Henderson Elementary


Erika Kimble poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)We are pleased to announce that Erika Kimble has been selected as the new principal of N.Q. Henderson Elementary School. Ms.  Kimble began her educational career as a teacher and teacher specialist at Bonham Elementary School. In 2013, she joined the team at Shadydale Elementary School as a teacher specialist supporting efforts to improve student achievement and then as assistant principal. 

Ms. Kimble earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas and completed graduate studies in special education at Prairie View A&M University and educational administration and supervision at the University of Houston.

Everett Hare named new principal of Bastian Elementary

Everett Hare poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Everett Hare has been selected as the next principal of Bastian Elementary School. He has served HISD in various capacities for 10 years, first as a teacher at Dodson Elementary School and next as vanguard coordinator at Pleasantville Elementary School. Since then, he has served in multiple leadership roles, most recently as assistant principal at Bastian since August 2015. 

Mr. Hare has a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Texas Southern University, where he is currently completing his doctoral studies. Mr. Hare has two children who attend HISD schools. 

Zabeth Parra-Malek named new principal of Benavidez Elementary

Zabeth Malek poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Zabeth Parra-Malek has been named the new principal of Benavidez Elementary School. She has served as an instructional specialist at Cunningham Elementary, a position she has held since 2013. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Houston, she began her career with HISD as a first-grade bilingual teacher at Scott Elementary. For eight years, Parra-Malek served students as a bilingual and dual-language teacher. In 2008, Parra-Malek transitioned from the classroom into administration, serving as instructional coordinator at Jaime Davila and Port Houston elementary schools. 

Parra-Malek holds a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.

Alan Summers named new principal of Sam Houston MSTC

Alan Summers is joining Team HISD as the principal of the Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center. He comes to the district from Katy ISD, where he served as the Executive Director for Human Resources. Summers is a familiar face to HISD because he previously served the district as a teacher, grant writer, assistant principal, principal at Wainwright Elementary and Scarborough High School, and Assistant Superintendent of College and Career Readiness. He left the district in 2013, moving to Central Texas to enroll in the doctoral program at the University of Texas and to work in Round Rock ISD as the Director of School Support.

Summers has 23 years of experience in education, with nine of those years as a campus principal.

Brian Vannest named new principal of Valley West Elementary

Brian Vannest poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)We are pleased to announce Brian Vannest as the new principal of Valley West Elementary. Vannest began his career in HISD as a second- and third-grade teacher at Gallegos Elementary. After a successful teaching career in HISD, he was recruited to YES Prep to be a seventh-grade math teacher, math course team lead, and project manager where he developed teacher training, curriculum, and assessments for the YES Prep network of schools. Vannest continued that work when he returned to HISD to assume the role of dean of instruction at Westside High School.

Brian received his bachelor of science in Business at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and his Master of Business Administration at Rice University. 

 

Vanessa Flores named new principal of Horn Elementary

Vanessa Flores poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Vanessa Flores has been selected as the new principal of Horn Elementary School. Flores currently is serving as the assistant principal at Horn Elementary. Prior to this, she served as a teacher development specialist, literacy instructional specialist, and literacy coach. Flores began her educational career in HISD 14 years ago as a second grade teacher at Cage Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston.

She earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Houston Clear Lake.