Wilfredo Montanez is a product of HISD schools and began his educational career as a teaching assistant and associate teacher. He served as Spanish teacher at the Ninth Grade College Preparatory Academy and he taught math at Sam Houston MSTC. Montanez served as a curriculum and content specialist, instructional specialist, and most recently dean of Students at both Sam Houston and Hamilton Middle. Montanez earned his bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in mathematics from University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in supervision and counseling from Sam Houston State University.
Category Archives: Staff updates
Stephanie Torrez Square named new principal of East Early College High School
Stephanie Torrez Square is product of HISD schools and a graduate of Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. Torrez Square taught Algebra I at Yates High School and also served as a lead teacher, varsity soccer coach, and math department chairperson. In 2011, she won Teacher of the Year. She served as a Teacher Specialist at Wheatley High School and assistant principal at North Forest High School. Most recently, she has been an assistant principal at Austin High School, where she led the mathematics department, oversaw dual credit programming, and executed a plan to increase linkage and usage of Khan Academy and College Board resources. Torrez Square graduated manga cum laude with distinguished honor roll from Texas Southern University.
Edward Cuevas Jr. named new principal of Deady Middle School
Edward Cuevas Jr. is the new principal of Deady Middle School. Cuevas is a graduate of HISD schools and has also dedicated 20 years of service to the district. He began his career with HISD in the Multi-Lingual Department and transitioned into teaching in 2001 at Carrillo Elementary School. Cuevas served as a first through fourth grade teacher at Seguin Elementary. In 2012, he became assistant principal at Hartman Middle School. In 2014, Cuevas became principal of Almeda Elementary, where he has served as instructional leader for three years. He holds a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from University of Houston-Downtown and a master of science in educational management from University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Daniel Hernandez named new principal of Briscoe Elementary
Daniel Hernandez is the new principal of Briscoe Elementary School. Hernandez has been an educator for 16 years and a middle school science and English teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He began his career at Stevenson Middle School as a multi-grade science teacher before joining Jane Long Academy as an assistant principal. Since 2013, he has been principal of C. Martinez Elementary School. Hernandez earned his bachelor’s degree in inter-disciplinary studies and his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from University of Houston.
Angela Lundy-Jackson named new school support officer for North Area
Angela Lundy-Jackson has been promoted to school support officer for the North Area Schools Office. Lundy-Jackson has been an educator for 26 years, serving in various roles, including teacher, education-program manager, high school principal, and lead principal. She was an inaugural member of the Teach for America cohort that began in HISD in 1991. Lundy-Jackson began her teaching career at Hamilton Middle School and later taught at Booker T. Washington High School. After much success in several administrative roles, she became principal of North Houston Early College High School in 2010 and has served there for the last seven years. Under her leadership, North Houston Early College was named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The same year, she was named HISD secondary principal of the year, Region IV principal of the year, and a finalist for state principal of the year. Lundy-Jackson was recognized by HEB for her outstanding Leadership in 2016. A native of Memphis, Tenn., she has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in public administration from Grambling State University.
Tremeka Collins named new principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Early Childhood Center
Tremeka Collins has been appointed principal of MLK Early Childhood Center. Collins has been an educator for 14 years, serving in various roles from teacher to assistant principal. She began her career with HISD as a math teacher before becoming a certification trainer in Professional Development supporting new teachers with onboarding and certification. Since 2012, Collins has served as assistant principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary and MLK Early Childhood Center. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Prairie View A & M University and a master’s degree in education from University of St. Thomas.
Rick Nagir named new principal of Brookline Elementary
Rick Nagir has been selected as the new principal of Brookline Elementary School. He is a veteran educator who has been with HISD for 17 years, serving in various roles from teacher to assistant principal. Nagir began as a second-grade teacher at Bonner Elementary School before moving to Brookline Elementary, where he served as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher, Title I/interventionist, instructional coordinator, teacher specialist, and assistant principal. Nagir holds a bachelor of science in environmental management from University of Houston–Clear Lake and a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University.
Anna White named new principal of Bonham Elementary
Anna L. White has been appointed principal of Bonham Elementary. White has been with HISD in various roles since 2000, beginning her career at Davila Elementary, where she was a teacher and Title I coordinator. She became an assistant principal at Port Houston Elementary in 2008 before becoming principal of the school. In 2013, White was appointed principal of Cunningham Elementary, where she oversaw the development of programs to assist the growing immigrant and refugee population. White earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational leadership from University of Phoenix.
Gabriel Lopez named new principal of West Briar Middle School
Gabriel Lopez has been appointed principal of West Briar Middle School. Lopez has been an educator for 14 years, beginning his career in education as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at HISD’s Gross Elementary School. Since 2006, he has been on staff at West Briar, serving as a seventh-grade social studies teacher and dean of students. Lopez earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Angelo State University and his master’s degree in public school administration from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Kimberly Thompson named new principal of Garden Villas Elementary
Kimberly Thompson has been selected as the principal of Garden Villas Elementary School. Thompson is a graduate of HISD, having attended Horn Elementary, Meyerland Middle, and the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. She has been an educator in HISD for 10 years, serving in various instructional and leadership roles. Thompson began her career at Cornelius Elementary, teaching fourth and fifth grades before moving to Neff Elementary to be a teacher specialist supporting reading teachers in implementing balanced literacy and later an assistant principal. Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. She has been a participant in various leadership training opportunities within the district, including the Principal Academy for Collaborative Engagement, School Leadership Academy, and Principal Candidate Development Opportunity.