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.
Washington HS engineering students travel to White Sands Missile Range to launch rockets
It’s an annual tradition. Students from Dr. Nghia Le’s High Altitude Rocketry class at Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for Engineering Professions travel to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to attempt to launch a rocket they built themselves during the school year.
The results vary from year to year, but this year, the Golden Eagle 6.5 team considered their launch successful, although the rocket did not reach the required 100,000 feet or deliver NASA’s payload.
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.
Superintendent welcomes 1,500 new teachers for 2017-2018 school year
HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza on Thursday personally welcomed some of the nearly 1,500 new teachers to the district at an exclusive meet-and-greet event.
Attendees at the event included those new to teaching and experienced teachers who are new to the district. The newest members of Team HISD got to network with their colleagues, take selfies with the superintendent, and hear some motivational and encouraging words from HISD’s top leader.
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New Westbury HS construction project moving along
The Westbury High School Huskies are seeing significant changes on their campus as construction on their two story addition is nearly halfway complete.
The $40 million dollar project, which is a part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond, calls for general renovations to the current building, as well as a new addition with 26 classrooms, flexible learning centers, two new gyms, and a dual purpose commons serving as both a dining area and space for students to gather.
“There is great progress being made as far as I can visibly see,” Westbury Principal Susan Monaghan said. “I think it’s going to be awesome for Westbury and the community.”
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.
Sandy Gaw named new school support officer for Northwest Area
Sandy Gaw has been named school support officer for the Northwest Schools Office. A native Houstonian and graduate of HISD schools, she began her career with the district as a fourth–grade bilingual teacher at Herrera Elementary and taught ESL at Sam Houston MSTC High School. Gaw worked as assistant principal at Katherine Smith Elementary and dean of students at Tanglewood Middle before becoming principal at De Chaumes Elementary. Most recently, Gaw was assistant superintendent of Teacher Development, where she supported new and beginning teachers. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and Spanish from University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Houston Baptist University.