Author Archives: HISD Communications

Keri Ward named new principal of R. Martinez Elementary

 (Milton Durango)Keri Ward has been selected as the new principal of Raul Martinez Elementary. Ward began her teaching career in 2009 as a first-grade ESL teacher in HISD’s Benavidez Elementary School. She has also served as a teacher at Cornelius Elementary School. She continued serving HISD as a school counselor and then assistant principal at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School from 2013-2017 and was part of the initial turnaround team when North Forest ISD transitioned to HISD. She most recently served as assistant principal at McReynolds Middle School. Ward earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Monijit Katial named new principal of Revere Middle School

 (Milton Durango)Monijit Katial has been selected as the new principal of Revere Middle School. Katial has served HISD for seven years and has over 10 years of experience in education across Houston, including teaching at the elementary and middle school levels in math, science, and reading, serving as HISD Linked learning manager, assistant principal at McReynolds Middle School and Alternative Certification Department as a senior manager. She has a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Educational Management from the University of Houston, and an MBA with a focus on educational transformation through the REEP (Rice Educational Entrepreneurship Program) from Rice University.

Tesha Foreman named new principal of Fleming Middle School

 (Milton Durango)Tesha Foreman has been selected as the new principal of Fleming Middle School. Foreman began her career in HISD in 2002 as a special education teacher at Paul Revere Middle School. She spent time as dean of students and assistant principal at Revere, Fleming, and West Briar middle schools. Most recently, Foreman served as the Interim Principal at Sugar Grove Academy. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at Prairie View A&M University.

Alesander Olaizola named new principal of Tijerina Elementary School

 (Milton Durango)Alesander Olaizola has been selected as the new principal of Tijerina Elementary School. Olaizola began his career in HISD in 2005 as a fifth-grade teacher at Burnet Elementary School, where he also served as a Campus Educational Technologist and Instructional Specialist. In 2014, he joined the leadership of Scarborough Elementary School as an Assistant Principal. Olaizola earned his bachelor’s degree in Geography and History and master’s degree in Art History from the Universidad de Oviedo, Spain. He earned his Master in Business Educational Administration (MBEA) from University of St. Thomas.

LaTreia Woodard named new principal of Foerster Elementary School

 (Milton Durango)Dr. LaTreia Woodard is the principal of Foerster Elementary School. Dr. Woodard began her career in education in the 2003-2004 school year as an intervention teacher in Cypress Fairbanks ISD. Woodard has taught a variety of grade levels from Kindergarten through seventh grade in Fort Bend ISD and Houston ISD. She continued to develop her leadership skills through service as a Team Leader, Data Specialist, Instructional Specialist, and Dean of Instruction before becoming an IAT Manager in the Interventions office. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, Master of Education Degree from Concordia University Texas, and her doctorate degree from Texas Southern University.

Condit ES awarded LEED Silver certification

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Condit Elementary School has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for its new building, which was constructed as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification provides independent verification of a building’s green features and is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.

Green schools offer improved air quality, lighting, temperature control, and acoustics, as well as reduced operating costs — all of which enhance the overall learning environment and have been shown to boost student health, test scores, and faculty retention.

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Erika Kimble named new principal of Hilliard Elementary School

Erika Kimble poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Erika Kimble has been selected as the new principal of Hilliard Elementary School. Kimble began her career in education as a teacher and teacher specialist at Bonham Elementary School. In 2013, she joined Shadydale Elementary School, where she served as a teacher specialist and assistant principal. Most recently, Kimble has served as the principal of Henderson Elementary School. 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.

Alana Holloway named new principal of N.Q. Henderson Elementary School

Alana Holloway has been selected as the new principal of N.Q. Henderson Elementary School. Holloway began her career in education 10 years ago in HISD. Holloway has served students as a secondary English Language Arts teacher, Reading teacher, ESL Reading teacher, and teacher specialist. Holloway is currently the assistant principal at Paige Elementary School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Houston and a Master of Educational Administrative Leadership at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Connie Smith named new principal of North Forest High School

Connie Smith poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Connie Smith has been selected as the new principal of North Forest High School. Smith has 20 years of experience in education and has served as a teacher, content specialist, teacher coordinator, dean of instruction, and elementary and middle school principal. In 2017, Smith’s leadership at Thomas Middle School earned the campus four distinctions in mathematics, social studies, student progress, and postsecondary readiness. Smith is an Army veteran and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Dillard University and a Master of Education in mid-management from Prairie View A&M University.

Alvaro Montelongo Jr. named new principal of Looscan Elementary School

Alvaro Montelongo, Jr. poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Alvaro Montelongo Jr. has been selected as the new principal of Looscan Elementary School. Montelongo has been an educator for 11 years and has served in HISD as a math coach, instructional specialist, and assistant principal. Montelongo began his career at Santa Fe High School before joining HISD. Since 2015, Montelongo has served as an assistant principal at Lewis Elementary School. Montelongo earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Mexican-American Studies from the University of Houston and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from University of Texas at Tyler.