Who’s News Abilene ISD Three new administrators were in place for the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year. Stacy Evans is the principal of Bassetti Elementary School, after spending the previous school year as acting principal there. Prior to his time at Bassetti, he was an assistant principal at Bowie and Ward elementaries and Madison Stacy Evans Middle School. Now beginning his 29th year as an educator, Evans earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Abilene Christian University. An educator with Abilene ISD for 12 years, Gustavo Villaneuva is now principal of Craig Middle School. He taught Spanish at Clack Middle School and Abilene High and served as an assistant principal of Madison Middle Gustavo School. He most recently Villaneuva was principal of College Heights Elementary School. Kathryn Walker, who has been with Abilene ISD for 15 years, is the new principal of College Heights Elementary. She was an English teacher at Cooper High School and a ninth grade volleyball and basketball coach. She had a threeKathryn Walker year absence from the district during which she was a writer and editor for Paradigm Alternatives Centers. She returned in 2000 as program director and lead teacher for Abilene High’s ninth grade initiative. From 2006 until 2009, Walker was the instructional coordinator at that campus. Anna ISD Beginning his 39th year as an educator is Superintendent Larry Johnson. His career began in Quinlan ISD, where he was first a teacher and coach and then an administrator. He was the district’s superintendent from 1998 until 2008. He then took Larry Johnson the top job in Commerce ISD, where he remained until moving to Anna ISD to serve as interim superintendent, a position he had held since March. Johnson
is a past president of the Texas Association of Community Schools. Arlington ISD Jina Hopp is the assistant principal at Corey Elementary School. She comes to her new role from Sam Houston High School, where she taught biology and TAKS exit-level science preparation since 1998. She has a bachelor’s degree from Jina Hopp Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Jacquelyn McClendon now serves as principal of Foster Elementary. She began her career in 1991 as a first grade teacher at Elliott Elementary in Fort Worth ISD, becoming the school’s counselor in 1996. She arrived in Arlington ISD in Jacquelyn 2000 as assistant princiMcClendon pal of Shackelford Junior High. she also served in that role at Pope Elementary and Carter Junior High. Her bachelor’s degree is from The University of Texas at Arlington and her master’s degree is from Texas A&M University at Commerce. Jennifer Solis-Anderson is the new assistant principal of Newcomer Center. She was a bilingual teacher and instructional specialist in Irving ISD for five years and has been a bilingual/ESL consultant at ESC Region 10 since 2007. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Dallas at Irving and her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University. Lisa Van Gemert comes to Martin High School as its assistant principal from Lamar High School, where she had taught English since 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Lisa Van Gemert Buna ISD John Burt has taken the position of superintendent, moving into the role after serving as the district’s assistant superintendent. China Spring ISD Jason McCullough is the new superintendent. His career has included service as
a classroom teacher and coach, and as an assistant principal in Harts Bluff ISD. His most recent position was deputy superintendent of Mount Pleasant ISD. McCullough earned his bachelor of arts degree in biblical studies from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. His master’s degree in educational administration is from Texas A&M University at Commerce, and his doctorate in educational leadership is from Stephen F. Austin State University. Clint ISD (El Paso) James Littlejohn will serve as assistant superintendant for instructional services, moving to his new position from his role as executive director of instructional technology for Clint ISD. A 16-year education veteran, he has been a classJames Littlejohn room teacher, instructional technology specialist and CATE coordinator. In 2002, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year in Ysleta ISD. He came to Clint ISD in 2003. Josie Perez is the new assistant superintendent for administrative services. She comes to her new job from Horizon Middle School, where she served as principal. A member of the Clint ISD staff since 1996, she has been a teacher, counselor, Josie Perez assistant principal and associate principal. She was named Assistant Principal of the Year in 1999 by the Texas Association of School Support Personnel. Columbus ISD New Superintendent Robert O’Connor returns to Columbus, where he spent five years as principal of Columbus Elementary School, from a stint as superintendent of schools in Holcomb, Kan. Before coming to Columbus in Robert O’Connor 2003, he was a junior/senior high principal in Smith Center, Kan., where he also served as assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator. In Texas, he has taught and coached in Sealy, Palacios and Bellville ISDs. O’Connor earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Prairie View See WHO’S NEWS on page 28
November/December 2009 • Texas School Business
17