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 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 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.
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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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 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 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.
Dr. Katie Bradarich has been appointed principal of Lanier Middle School. Dr. Bradarich has been an educator for 16 years, serving in various roles, including teacher, curriculum administrator, and assistant principal. She began her career in Chicago as a middle–school English language arts and reading teacher. She then moved to a St. Louis middle school, where she served as department chair, peer assessment leader, quality instructional leader, professional learning communities coach, reading specialist, and literacy coach. In 2011, while serving on the board of directors of the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society, she was recruited by the Monarch School and Institute in Houston to direct curriculum and instruction for individuals with neurological differences. In 2016, Dr. Bradarich joined HISD as assistant principal of Furr High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA, a master’s degree in teaching from National Louis University, and a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from University of Missouri, St. Louis. Dr. Bradarich completed her principal certification with Harris County Department of Education.
Rod Treviño has been appointed principal of Scarborough High School. Treviño has served as a public school educator for more than 19 years, beginning his career at Johnston High School in Austin ISD, where he taught English and served as chairman of the English Department and assistant principal. Most recently, he was principal of Dahlstrom Middle School in Hays Consolidated ISD. Treviño is a native Texan and received his undergraduate degree in English from University of Texas at Austin and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas State University. Most recently, he completed work as a member of the leadership cohort at Harvard University with a specialization in family and community engagement.
With modern construction underway and a new administration in place, Worthing High School is on the verge of a transformation.
While construction crews work tirelessly to rebuild the 59-year-old school nestled in Houston’s historic Sunnyside neighborhood, new Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone is doing the same from the inside out.
“My desire was to come in and put Worthing back on the map,” Campbell-Rhone said, recalling how the school’s academic programs were once highly sought after and school pride was ubiquitous. “We can get back to that.”