Category Archives: Staff updates

Tracie Hart-Jackson named new principal of Gross Elementary

Tracie Hart poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Tracie Hart-Jackson has been named principal of Gross Elementary School. She is a graduate of Ross Sterling High School and began her career as a kindergarten teacher in the North Forest School District. Hart-Jackson served for seven years as an assistant principal and six years as a principal at Thurgood Marshall Early Childhood Center. In 2011, while at Marshall, she was named Principal of the Year. Hart-Jackson transitioned to HISD in 2012, becoming principal of Halpin Early Childhood Center. She has a bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education and a masters in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.

 

Myra Castle-Bell named new principal of Kelso Elementary

Myra Castle Bell poses for a photograph, November 2, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Myra Castle-Bell has been selected as the new principal of Kelso Elementary School. Castle-Bell attended HISD schools, graduating from Jack Yates High School. She has 17 years of experience in HISD elementary and middle schools, beginning as a teacher and literacy coach at The Rusk School and Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. Castle-Bell then became an instructional specialist at Lewis Elementary School, and most recently served as assistant principal at Edison Middle School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Prairie View A&M and holds a masters degree in both Guidance and Counseling and Educational Leadership.

 

Connie Smith named new principal of Thomas Middle School

Connie Smith poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Connie Smith has been selected as the new principal of Thomas Middle School. She brings to the position more than 18 years of experience in secondary schools. She began her career as a high school biology teacher in the New Orleans Parish School System before moving to Houston and becoming a science teacher at Jackson Middle School. In 2010, Smith became assistant principal, and later she was the dean of instruction at Ortiz Middle School. In 2014, she was promoted to the principal of Kelso Elementary School, where she served the district for two years. Smith has a bachelor of science in biology from Dillard University and a masters in educational mid-management from Prairie View A&M University. 

 

Dan De León named new principal of Sharpstown High School

Dan De León has been selected as the new principal of Sharpstown High School. He is currently the principal of The Rusk School, where he has served since 2015. De León began his career with HISD in 1988 as a teacher and has been the principal at Carrillo Elementary, Edison Middle, and Chavez High School. After graduating from HISD schools, De León earned a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has completed graduate work at the University of Houston and Texas A&M University.

Maria “Lola” Perejon-Lasheras named new principal of Helms Elementary

Maria “Lola” Perejon-Lasheras has been appointed principal of Helms Elementary School. Perejon-Lasheras has served HISD in various capacities for more than 16 years. Prior to this, she was assistant principal at Helms, and before that a curriculum specialist in the HISD Curriculum Department. Perejon-Lasheras holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Complutense University of Madrid. She obtained her principal’s certification through University of St. Thomas.

 

John Baker named new principal of Marshall Elementary

John Baker poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)John Baker has been appointed principal of Marshall Elementary School. Baker has served HISD as a principal for more than 10 years. Prior to this, he was the principal of Helms Elementary School, and before that, he served as the principal of Browning, Davila, and Twain elementary schools. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of Houston.

 

Michelle Turek named new principal of Herod Elementary

Michelle Turek has been selected as the new principal of Herod Elementary School. She began her career in education as a high school English teacher and has taught English in both middle and high schools. Ms. Turek was an instructional specialist and then an assistant principal at Deady Middle School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Roberts Elementary. She received her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston-Downtown and her master’s in academic leadership and supervision from the University of Texas at Arlington.

 

Berzayda Ochoa named new principal of Davila Elementary

Berzayda G. Ochoa poses for a photograph, April 4, 2016. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Berzayda Ochoa has been selected as the new principal of Davila Elementary School. Ms. Ochoa just completed her fourth year as dean of instruction at Navarro Middle School, previously known as Jackson Middle School. She began her educational career in HISD in 2007 as a bilingual elementary school teacher. Ms. Ochoa, who is a graduate of HISD schools, holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.

Mayra Hernandez named new principal of Edison Middle School

Mayra Hernandez poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Mayra Hernandez has been named principal of Edison Middle School after serving as the principal of Davila Elementary for the last three years. Under her leadership, Davila transitioned from an “Improved Required” School to a “Met Standard” school. She began her HISD career at Sherman Elementary as a teacher before becoming a teacher specialist and later a reading interventionist. In 2012, she became assistant principal at Davila Elementary.

Hernandez received her associate of arts degree from Houston Community College and her bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from University of Houston-Downtown. She has a masters in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University.

Dimitrie Rainey named new principal of Alcott Elementary

Dimitire Rainey poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Dimitrie Rainey has been selected as the new principal of Alcott Elementary School. She began her career as a fifth–grade math teacher in Virginia’s Prince William County School District, and also worked in the District of Columbia School District and Maryland’s Prince George County School District. Rainey began her HISD career as a fifth-grade math teacher and department chair at Blackshear Elementary School. Over the next 10 years, she served HISD as a middle–school math teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal. Most recently she was assistant principal at RP Harris Elementary School.

Dimitrie received her bachelors of arts in elementary education at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and her master’s degree in administration and supervision from American College of Education.