Category Archives: Staff updates

HISD Foundation names new executive director

The Houston ISD Foundation has selected Ann Best Scott as its new executive director to lead efforts to support districtwide and school-based programs that provide every student with a rigorous education.

Scott has worked with education-based nonprofits such as Raise Your Hand Texas as a vice president of board development and recruitment and with Teach for America as a senior vice president of education leadership. She previously worked at HISD as a chief human resources officer. She will begin this week in her new role at the foundation, which was most recently led by interim executive director and former HISD Chief of Staff Michele Pola. Continue reading →

Adelina Alcala named new principal of R. P. Harris Elementary School

Adelina Valdez-Alcala, R.P. Harris Elementary (Houston Independent School District)Adelina Alcala has been named the new principal of R. P. Harris Elementary School. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Special Education from the University of Texas in San Antonio, Alcala started her career in education in the Alief Independent School District. Over the course of six years, Alcala was an early childhood bilingual teacher serving students with disabilities, a Special Education resource teacher, and a department chair.

After completing her master’s degree in education at the University of Houston in Clear Lake and establishing herself as an instructional leader, Alcala was promoted to the role of assistant principal in Alief ISD.

Controller Sherrie Robinson named HISD’s new interim chief financial officer

Sherrie Robinson

Sherrie Robinson

HISD Controller Sherrie Robinson has been named the interim chief financial officer (CFO) of the Houston Independent School District.

Robinson will assume her new role on March 1, when previous CFO and Deputy Superintendent Ken Huewitt becomes the district’s interim superintendent.

“Sherrie has been a tremendous asset to HISD over the past three years,” said Dr. Grier in an email to all employees, “and I am confident that the district’s finances will be in expert hands moving forward.”

Continue reading →

Noelia Longoria selected as new assistant superintendent for School Choice

Noelia Longoria

Noelia Longoria

Noelia Longoria recently was named the new assistant superintendent for the Office of School Choice.

Longoria has 25 years of experience in urban education, which includes time spent as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, dean principal, and school support officer.

During her most recent positions as lead principal and school support officer, all three of her improvement-required middle and high schools met state accountability standards.

Continue reading →

Rick Cruz selected to serve as HISD’s new Chief of Major Projects

Richard (Rick) Cruz poses for a photograph, January 6, 2016.

Richard (Rick) Cruz poses for a photograph, January 6, 2016.

Houston Independent School District Major Projects Officer Rick Cruz has been selected to lead his division, replacing outgoing Chief Don Hare, who is retiring.

Cruz, a former fifth-grade teacher who was tapped to serve in the HISD administration after launching the district’s successful EMERGE program more than five years ago, will officially assume his new role on Jan. 25.

In his new position, he will be tasked with managing the College Readiness and Counseling and Guidance departments, as well as major initiatives designed to transform education in the district, such as the EMERGE and Futures Academy programs, and Linked Learning.

Continue reading →

Phuong Uyen Tieu named principal of Reagan PK-8

Phuong Tieu poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Phuong Uyen Tieu has been named principal of Billy Reagan K8 Educational Center. Tieu graduated from Hastings High School and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Houston and a master’s degree in education administration from Concordia University in Austin. Following her undergraduate education, she worked in corporate America for eight years before becoming a teacher. Tieu began her career in education at Stafford Municipal School District, where she served as an elementary school teacher, dual language coordinator, and dean of instruction.

Currently, she is an assistant principal at Scarborough High School. Tieu has two children, Olivia, 12, and Ethan, 10.

HISD Board of Education to vote on search firm tasked with finding new superintendent

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education is scheduled to vote Thursday on a plan to hire a search firm to help find a replacement for outgoing Superintendent Terry Grier.

Trustees are recommending the hire of Ray and Associates, an Iowa-based firm that specializes in searches for educational executives and leaders. The firm was among four companies that responded to a request for proposals issued in October. All four were interviewed by the board last month. Continue reading →

Schad to oversee Construction & Facilities Department, including bond program

Chief Technology Information Officer Lenny Schad will assume the responsibilities of the Construction & Facilities Department, including the 2012 bond program, following the resignation of the district’s Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla.

The other departments that reported to Bobadilla have been reassigned to other members of HISD’s administration:

  • Business Assistance, including Warehouse Operations, Risk Management and Supplier Diversity will become part of the Finance Department and report to Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Ken Huewitt.
  • Transportation and Nutrition Services will become a part of the Office of Student Support and report to Chief Student Support Officer Mark Smith.
  • The HISD Police Department will report directly to Superintendent Terry Grier with assistance from Chief of Staff Jason Spencer.

Lisa Hernandez named principal of new Mark White Elementary School

Lisa Hernandez poses for a photograph, November 2, 2015. (Dave Einsel)Lisa Hernandez has been named the principal of the new Mark White Elementary School, which is scheduled to open in August 2016. She previously served as the assistant principal at the School at St. George Place, a position she held since 2012.

In her 18 years as an educator, Hernandez has also served as a teacher, instructional specialist, and International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator. She began her career as a fifth-grade teacher in Austin ISD, where she taught for 10 years before becoming a math instructional specialist. In 2008, Hernandez moved to HISD and worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Twain Elementary School.

Hernandez received a bachelor’s degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas State University.