RECENTLY ASSIGNED HISD PRINCIPALS
We are pleased to announce the following new school principals for Halpin Early Childhood Center, Blackshear, Bonham, Bonner, Highland Heights, and Milne elementary schools, Gregory Lincoln Education Center, and West Briar Middle School.
Halpin Early Childhood Center—Principal Tracie Hart
Tracie Hart, an educator with sixteen years experience, began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Thurgood Marshall Early Childhood Center in the North Forest Independent School District. In 2002, she was promoted to an assistant principal position. In 2009, Ms. Hart was named principal of Thurgood Marshall Early Childhood Center. Under her leadership, Thurgood Marshall was awarded the TEA “Pre-K Center of Excellence” and in 2011, she was recognized as the Elementary Principal of the Year.
Ms. Hart holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Early Childhood and a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University.
Blackshear Elementary School—Principal Dawn Hobbs
Dawn Hobbs started her career with TeamHISD in 2005 as a classroom teacher at Blackshear Elementary School. In 2008, Mrs. Hobbs was accepted into the HISD Principal Intern Program and assigned to Grady Middle School. Upon completing the program, Ms. Hobbs served as assistant principal at Grady Middle School for four years.After strengthening her leadership skills, Ms. Hobbs is returning to Blackshear Elementary School to serve as principal.
Ms. Hobbs earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Management and Marketing from the Texas A&M University and Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Bonham Elementary School—Principal Mary Ellen Fernandez
Mary Ellen Fernandez held different positions in Dripping Springs Independent School District (ISD), which is located in the Austin, Texas area: teacher, instructional facilitator, assistant principal and district curriculum coordinator. Most recently, she served as the principal of Dripping Springs Elementary School. Mrs. Fernandez has also taught in the Lewisville ISD located in the Dallas, Texas area and in Clark County Schools located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mrs. Fernandez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas. She also holds a Texas Principal and Superintendent Certificate.
Bonner Elementary School—Principal Sharon Carpenter
Sharon Carpenter has been a member of Team HISD for 13 years. She currently serves as instructional coordinator at Shadowbriar Elementary School.Prior to this position, Sharon was an ASPIRE Training Administrator providing online training to over 8,000 teachers and 1,000 administrators in the effective use of data to dramatically improve instruction and teacher effectiveness. Sharon previously served as content specialist and teacher specialist for gifted and talented programs within HISD.
Ms. Carpenter graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She holds a master’s degree from Lamar University.
Highland Heights Elementary School—Principal Wyanthia T. Price-Simmons
Wyanthia Price-Simmons has been a member of TeamHISD for the last 14 years. She served as assistant principal at The Rusk School and at John Marshall Middle School. Previously, she also served as interim principal and curriculum coordinator at Kaleidoscope/Las Americas Middle School. Mrs. Price-Simmons started her career as a teacher at Francis Scott Key Middle School and Sanchez Elementary School before moving into school administration.
Wyanthia attended Spelman College and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston. She earned her Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas.
Milne Elementary School—Principal Jerome Ryans II
Jerome Ryans II has been a member of Team HISD for 9 years. He currently serves as a Dean of Students at West Briar Middle School, leading the math, science and special education programs. He served as a teacher at West Briar and at Dominion Academy Charter School. While at West Briar, Mr. Ryans has been instrumental in building valuable school and community relationships.
Mr. Ryans graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. He also received a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
Gregory Lincoln Education Center—Principal Carlos Phillips
Carlos Phillips, an educator with thirteen years experience, began his career in education as a teacher at Grimes Elementary School in HISD. He has elementary and middle school experiences as an assistant principal in multiple HISD schools. He currently serves as assistant principal of Booker T. Washington High School. Carlos also serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Education at the University of Saint Thomas.
Dr. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University and an Educational Doctorate from the University of Houston.
West Briar Middle School—Principal Keeley Simpson
Keeley Simpson has been a part of Team HISD for the past eight years. She has served as a Social Studies teacher, a coach and, most recently, an associate principal and dean of instruction at Lamar High School. Her extensive knowledge of the International Baccalaureate World Programwill be a tremendous asset as she makes the transition to West Briar Middle School. Prior to joining HISD, Ms. Keeley taught Social Studies in the Texarkana Independent School District.
Ms. Simpson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in History and her master’s degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M Texarkana.