Category Archives: Elementary Schools

Nutrition Services turning food waste into rich resource

HISD Nutrition Services is piloting a composting program to help local agriculture by recycling food leftovers. Last fall, the department selected the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, Garden Oaks K-8 Montessori, and Briargrove Elementary to pilot the program, which will help HISD become even greener.

Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel manages the new initiative and is excited about Nutrition Services’ involvement in the program. “Compost soil has super nutrients,” said Lengyel. “Instead of food waste going to the landfill, now it will help grow more food.” Continue reading →

Irma Sandate named new principal of Durkee Elementary School

Irma Sandate poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Irma Sandate has been named the new principal of Durkee Elementary School. She began her education career in Corpus Christi ISD, where she taught Spanish at Moody High School and served as an assistant principal at Moody and Miller high schools, a principal at Driscoll Middle School, and a turnaround principal at Allen Elementary School.

Sandate has 14 years of experience in public education and holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in secondary education from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.  She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Commerce in global eLearning.

Alicia Craig named new principal of Fondren Elementary School

Alicia Craig poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Alicia Craig has been named the new principal of Fondren Elementary School. She started her career as an educator in Alief ISD, where she served as a teacher, program coordinator, mentor teacher, magnet instructor, math specialist, and most recently, assistant principal in an elementary school.

Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in educational management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Marlen Peña named new principal of Lewis Elementary School

Marlen Peña has been named the new principal of Lewis Elementary School. Peña began her career as a second-grade teacher at Herrera Elementary School, worked as a health teacher at Eastwood Academy, and served as the magnet coordinator at Burbank Elementary School.  Her most recent assignment was assistant principal at Benavidez Elementary.

Peña earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

 

April Williams named new principal of Oak Forest Elementary School

April Williams has been named the new principal of Oak Forest Elementary School. She previously served as an assistant principal at Lanier Middle School. Williams began her 12-year career with HISD as a fifth-grade teacher at Law Elementary School, and has served as a classroom teacher at both Peck Elementary and Ryan Middle School. She also held the role of high school graduation coach. While at both Peck and Ryan, she received the Classroom Teacher of the Year and the English as a Second Language Teacher of the Year awards.

Williams received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. She received her doctorate of education in professional leadership from the University of Houston.

Amy Poerschke named new principal of Durham Elementary School

Amy Poerschke poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Amy Poerschke has been named the new principal of Durham Elementary School. She previously served as the assistant principal of Garcia Elementary School.  Prior to that, she taught reading language arts at Dodson Elementary and Garcia. In 2012, she was awarded the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award.

Poerschke holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Baylor University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in executive leadership from the University of Houston.

Trealla Epps named new principal of Roberts Elementary School

Trealla Epps poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Trealla Epps has been named the new principal of Roberts Elementary School. She began her career in HISD as a first-grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary School. After teaching both first and second grades at Longfellow and taking on a variety of leadership roles, Epps served as the school’s instructional coordinator and assistant principal.  In 2006, she became the principal of Gordon Elementary (now the Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School). She became the principal at Bruce Elementary School in 2011.

Epps 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 the University of Houston – Clear Lake.  She also holds certification in English as a Second Language and early childhood education.

Linda Bellard named new principal of Garcia Elementary School

Linda Bellard poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Linda Bellard has been named the new principal of Garcia Elementary School. She began her education career in Aldine ISD as an elementary school teacher, where she was voted campus Teacher of the Year.  She went on to serve as a reading specialist and an assistant principal at the elementary and intermediate levels. In 2007, she joined HISD as the principal of Blackshear Elementary, and later served at Elrod Elementary in the same capacity.

Bellard holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in reading and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas Southern University.

 

Laura Alaniz named new principal of Harvard Elementary School

Laura Alaniz poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Laura Alaniz has been named the new principal of Harvard Elementary School. She previously served as the principal at Gabriela Mistral Center for Early Childhood for five years.  Under her leadership, the school established a working collaboration with Rice University to create the Rice Oral and Written Language Lab, which operates as a teaching lab for educators in the greater Houston community.

Alaniz has an extensive career in education. She has served as an elementary teacher, a bilingual evaluation specialist, a parent involvement manager, and an assistant principal at a comprehensive high school.

Laura received a bachelor’s degree in education from Our Lady of the Lake University and a master’s degree from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Carlos Ramirez named new school support officer

Carlos Ramirez poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Dr. Carlos Ramirez has been named a new elementary school support officer. He has served in a variety of roles, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, and deputy superintendent over the course of his 24 years in education.

Dr. Ramirez began his career in California as a fourth–sixth-grade teacher in Rio Linda and Sacramento City Unified School Districts. He served as an assistant principal for three years in San Francisco Unified School District. During his 16-year tenure as principal, one of his campuses received the high honor of being named a California Distinguished School.

Having demonstrated strong instructional leadership skills, Dr. Ramirez was recruited to lead two Texas schools through the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) International Baccalaureate authorization process.  Most recently, Dr. Ramirez served as deputy superintendent for Stafford Municipal School District.

Dr. Ramirez earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Davis, a master’s degree from Chapman College, and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of North Texas.