Michael Niggli has been selected as the new principal of Waltrip High School. He most recently served as associate principal for Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center. With 21 years in HISD, Niggli’s experience includes English teacher, debate coach, and basketball coach at HISD’s Austin High School and Heights High School. Niggli earned his Bachelor of Arts from San Francisco State University and his Master of Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Category Archives: Staff updates
Michelle Shoulders named new principal of Pin Oak Middle School
Michelle Shoulders has been selected as the new principal of Pin Oak Middle School. Shoulders has served HISD for 14 years and has 28 years of experience in education in Houston, Fort Worth, and the Denver area. Her teaching experience spans elementary, middle, and high school in math and theatre. Most recently, Michelle served at Bellaire High School as both school improvement facilitator and assistant principal. She has actively supported the professional learning communities (PLC) on campus while supervising the English and ESL departments. For the past three years, Michelle has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston in the Teacher Preparation Program. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Education from Abilene Christian University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.
Opal Harrison named new principal of Deady Middle School
Opal Harrison has been selected as the new principal of Deady Middle School. Harrison began her teaching career in HISD in 2005 as a science teacher at Jones High School. Harrison has served as an administrator at Milby High School for the past six years, most recently as the dean of instruction. While at Milby, Harrison was named the HISD Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physics from Xavier University of Louisiana and Master of Science in Microelectronics-Photonics from the University of Arkansas. Harrison is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt University.
Alicia Puente-Sanchez named new principal of Durkee Elementary School
Alicia Puente-Sanchez has been selected as the new principal of Durkee Elementary School. Puente-Sanchez started her career 18 years ago as a bilingual teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School. She has served as a magnet coordinator at The Rusk School K-8 and teacher interventionist at Barrick Elementary School. She went on to be an assistant principal at McReynolds Middle School, Wisdom High School, and Marshall Middle School. Most recently, Puente-Sanchez served as a program manager with the Leadership Development department. Puente-Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston Downtown and Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University.
Mikia J. Barnes named new principal of Osborne Elementary School
Mikia J. Barnes has been selected as the new principal of Osborne Elementary School. Barnes began her 15-year career as an elementary teacher in Aldine ISD. She has served as a team leader, middle school teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. For the past four years, she was as an administrator in Spring ISD, where she most recently served as associate principal of Bailey Middle School. Barnes holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University, a Master of Education from Lamar University, and a Bachelor of Science from Alcorn State University.
Erica Tran named new principal of Bonham Elementary School
Erica Tran has been selected as the new principal at Bonham Elementary School. Tran is returning to HISD, where her career began as a teacher at J.C. Mitchell Elementary. Tran previously served as a third-grade teacher at Harlem Elementary School in Goose Creek ISD. Tran then became the campus reading specialist for grades 3-5 and later an assistant principal at Gentry Junior School. After three years as an assistant principal, Tran was named principal at Horace Mann Junior High School, where she led the school in continuously meeting state standards. Tran earned her bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and master’s in Education from Lamar University.
Richard Peña named new principal of Sherman Elementary School
Richard Peña has been selected as the new principal of Sherman Elementary School. Peña began his 20-year career with HISD as a second-grade bilingual teacher at Allen (now Kennedy) Elementary School, and has served as an instructional specialist, literacy coach and team leader. He most recently served as principal of Tijerina Elementary School. While at Travis Elementary School, he was nominated for Assistant Principal of the Year. Additionally, he served as an assistant principal for six years in Aldine ISD, HISD and Spring ISD. Peña holds a Master of Educational Leadership from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Houston.
Renesiaha Marshall named new principal of Reynolds Elementary School
Renesiaha Marshall has been named as the new principal of Reynolds Elementary. Marshall is a product of HISD, having attended Petersen Elementary School, Dowling (now Lawson) Middle School, and Madison High School. She started her teaching career in HISD in 2005 as a first-grade teacher at Montgomery Elementary School. While at Alcott and Foerster elementaries, she served as reading interventionist and teacher specialist. Most recently, Marshall served the Almeda Elementary School community as a school counselor and assistant principal for three years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Houston.
Derrick Estes named new principal of Law Elementary School
Derrick Estes has been selected as the new principal of Law Elementary School. Estes started his career with HISD in 2008 as a general clerk at Cornelius Elementary School. After graduating from the University of Houston Downtown with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, he obtained his first teaching job at Cornelius, where he served as a third- and fifth-grade teacher. He served as instructional specialist and later as assistant principal of Golfcrest Elementary School. Estes currently is a doctoral degree fellow in Educational Administration at Texas A&M Commerce.
Philip Steuernagel named new principal of McReynolds Middle School
Philip Steuernagel has been selected as the new principal of McReynolds Middle School. Steuernagel has 16 years of experience in education as a bilingual teacher, ESL college adjunct instructor, assistant principal and most recently principal of R. Martinez Elementary. Under his leadership, student enrollment has increased, and the campus has made significant academic gains. Prior to Steuernagel’s arrival, R. Martinez was rated as an Improvement Required campus, and under his leadership it has been rated as Met Standard each year he has been principal. Steuernagel earned his Bachelor of Arts from American University in Washington, D.C. and his Master of Education from the University of Houston.