Category Archives: Staff updates

HISD names new officer of Nutrition Services

Betti Wiggins

The Houston Independent School District has selected Betti J. Wiggins as the district’s new officer of Nutrition Services.

Wiggins currently serves as the executive director of the office of school nutrition with the Detroit Public Schools Community District, where she is responsible for school-based meal operations in 141 schools for all USDA child nutrition programs. Under her leadership, she helped establish the Detroit School Garden Collaborative, which currently supports more than 80 school-based gardens and a two-acre school farm.

“We are excited to welcome Ms. Wiggins to Houston ISD to lead our school nutrition program,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza. “She has tremendous experience in school nutrition and will help us improve our program for both students and staff as we invest in new equipment, training and menus.”  Continue reading →

HISD announces director of new K-12 Fine Arts Department

Wenden Sanders

Wenden Sanders has been appointed director of HISD’s new K–12 Fine Arts Department.

Sanders, who is currently serving as principal of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, was selected by a committee of teachers, principals, and district administrators. He will provide leadership, support, and direction to ensure that all HISD students have access to a high-quality fine arts education.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the fine arts to all students in HISD,” Sanders said. “I look forward to working with the Arts Access Initiative, principals, school officers, and community leaders to ensure that we are educating the whole child.”

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HISD Board of Education names new chief audit executive

Garland Blackwell

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education has selected Garland W. Blackwell as the district’s new chief audit executive.

Mr. Blackwell most recently served as an internal audit director for Parsons, a global engineering services firm, where he established and directed the internal audit process for its regional offices in the Middle East and Africa. He has more than 25 years of internal audit and financial experience.

“The HISD Board of Education is pleased to welcome Mr. Blackwell to our district,” said HISD Board President Wanda Adams. “He is an accomplished internal auditor who will provide critical oversight of the district and recommendations for improvement that will safeguard district resources and support our core values. It has been a priority of our board and audit committee to fill this position to ensure that integrity and transparency are maintained across the district.”

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HISD names new chief financial officer

The Houston Independent School District has selected Rene Barajas as the district’s new chief financial officer.

Dr. Barajas currently serves as deputy superintendent and chief financial officer of the Garland Independent School District, with more than 20 years of central administration experience in public schools. He has eight years of experience as a chief financial officer.

He previously served as an assistant superintendent for business and support services for the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District as well as a business manager and internal auditor for other public school districts in Texas.

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Angel Wilson named new principal of Cornelius Elementary

Angel Wilson poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Angel Wilson has been selected as the new principal of Cornelius Elementary School. Wilson has served as a teacher and Teacher Development Specialist, and she has a wide range of campus leadership experience in diverse communities such as Durkee Elementary, where she was dean of instruction; Thompson Elementary, where she was assistant principal; and Lanier Middle School, where she was also assistant principal. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Administration. Both degrees are from Prairie View A&M University.

Katherine Keafer named new principal of Longfellow Elementary

Katherine Keafer (Houston Independent School District)Katherine Keafer has been selected to be the new principal of Longfellow Elementary School. Most recently, she was assistant principal at Shearn Elementary School.

Keafer began her career in 2010 as a Teach for America corps member teaching fifth-grade science at Shearn. She has also taught fifth-grade math and fourth-grade writing. Keafer has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She was a part of HISD’s leadership cohort through the University of St. Thomas, and in 2016 she earned her master’s degree in educational leadership.

Mayra Romero named new principal of Shearn Elementary

Mayra Romero (Houston Independent School District)Mayra Romero has been selected as the new principal of Shearn Elementary School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Wainwright Elementary School. Romero began her career in 2010 as a kindergarten teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. She also served as a HUB Teacher Development Specialist training teachers districtwide. Romero has a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Texas Pan-American and a M.Ed. in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas. 

Jeffrey Whitaker named new principal of McGowen Elementary

Jeffrey Whitaker poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Jeffrey Whitaker has been appointed new principal of McGowen Elementary School. Most recently, he served as assistant principal at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School for three years. Before that, Whitaker taught at Sutton and Burbank elementary schools, where he was lead teacher, department chair, and three–time winner of Teacher of the Year. Last spring, he successfully completed HISD’s Principal Candidate Development Opportunity program for aspiring leaders. Whitaker has a B.B.A. in finance from the University of Houston and a M.Ed. in educational administration from the University of St. Thomas. He grew up in the area surrounding McGowen and is excited to have the opportunity to serve as principal.