Category Archives: Staff updates

Nirmol Lin selected as principal of Park Place Elementary

Nirmol Lim has been appointed as principal of Park Place Elementary. Most recently, Ms. Lim was serving as dean of instruction at Hartman Middle School, and has been a part of the Hartman team for the last three years. Prior to this, she served as a math teacher development specialist, collaborating with K-5 teachers throughout the district to strengthen their math practices. Ms. Lim began her teaching career in 2003 at Seguin Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher and was identified as an ASPIRE Highly Effective Teacher for two consecutive years.

Ms. Lim earned her bachelor of science in Psychology from University of Houston and her master’s in Educational Administration from Sam Houston State University.  She is currently completing her doctorate of education in Public School Administration from Texas A & M University.

Diana De La Rosa appointed new principal of Northline Elementary School

Diana De La Rosa has been selected as principal of Northline Elementary School. Ms. De La Rosa retired after 34 years of service with HISD and is returning after a two-year hiatus, during which she volunteered and taught in various schools. Before retiring, she served as principal of Benavidez Elementary, Jane Long Middle School, and Patrick Henry Middle School. Before that, she was a teacher, supervisor, and assistant principal. Ms. De La Rosa received her bachelor of science degree in Bilingual Education from University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Educational Administration from University of Houston.

Nancy Blackwell named new principal of Kashmere High School

Nancy Blackwell has been selected as the new principal of Kashmere High School. Ms. Blackwell has a total of 38 years of experience in the field of education, including 15 years of classroom experience in grades K-12. She recently retired from the Aldine ISD, where she served as principal of Worsham Elementary, Hambrick Middle School, and MacArthur Senior High School. Ms. Blackwell received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and her master’s in Mid-Management from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

 

Yolanda Rodriguez named new elementary school support officer

Yolanda Rodriguez has been named a school support officer in the Elementary Transformation Schools office.

A 21-year HISD veteran, Rodriguez most recently served as the principal of Roosevelt Elementary and the lead principal of two other elementary schools. She began her career as a teacher at HISD’s Roosevelt Elementary School, where she remained for 10 years. She later served as an instructional coordinator at Burbank Elementary School, assistant principal at Roosevelt Elementary, principal intern at Scarborough High School, and principal at De Zavala Elementary School.

Rodriguez earned both a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Houston.

Carlos Phillips II named new principal of Washington High School

Dr. Carlos R. Phillips II has been selected to serve as the new principal of Washington High School.  During his fifteen years as an educator, he has served as a special education teacher at Grimes Elementary School and a disciplinary alternative education teacher at Young Elementary School. His administrative experience began as an assistant principal at Mitchell Elementary, Carter G. Woodson Middle, and Washington High schools. Most recently, Dr. Phillips served as the principal of Gregory-Lincoln Education Center.

Dr. Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Prairie View A&M University and a doctoral degree in education leadership and cultural studies from the University of Houston.

 

 

Irma Sandate named new principal of Durkee Elementary School

Irma Sandate poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Irma Sandate has been named the new principal of Durkee Elementary School. She began her education career in Corpus Christi ISD, where she taught Spanish at Moody High School and served as an assistant principal at Moody and Miller high schools, a principal at Driscoll Middle School, and a turnaround principal at Allen Elementary School.

Sandate has 14 years of experience in public education and holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in secondary education from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.  She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Commerce in global eLearning.

Alicia Craig named new principal of Fondren Elementary School

Alicia Craig poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Alicia Craig has been named the new principal of Fondren Elementary School. She started her career as an educator in Alief ISD, where she served as a teacher, program coordinator, mentor teacher, magnet instructor, math specialist, and most recently, assistant principal in an elementary school.

Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in educational management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Marlen Peña named new principal of Lewis Elementary School

Marlen Peña has been named the new principal of Lewis Elementary School. Peña began her career as a second-grade teacher at Herrera Elementary School, worked as a health teacher at Eastwood Academy, and served as the magnet coordinator at Burbank Elementary School.  Her most recent assignment was assistant principal at Benavidez Elementary.

Peña earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

 

April Williams named new principal of Oak Forest Elementary School

April Williams has been named the new principal of Oak Forest Elementary School. She previously served as an assistant principal at Lanier Middle School. Williams began her 12-year career with HISD as a fifth-grade teacher at Law Elementary School, and has served as a classroom teacher at both Peck Elementary and Ryan Middle School. She also held the role of high school graduation coach. While at both Peck and Ryan, she received the Classroom Teacher of the Year and the English as a Second Language Teacher of the Year awards.

Williams received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. She received her doctorate of education in professional leadership from the University of Houston.

Amy Poerschke named new principal of Durham Elementary School

Amy Poerschke poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Amy Poerschke has been named the new principal of Durham Elementary School. She previously served as the assistant principal of Garcia Elementary School.  Prior to that, she taught reading language arts at Dodson Elementary and Garcia. In 2012, she was awarded the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award.

Poerschke holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Baylor University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in executive leadership from the University of Houston.