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student assistant coach for the Longhorns’ 1985-1986 NCAA national championship team under coach Jody Conradt. She also served as an assistant coach at Texas State University and earned her master’s degree in sport psychology from Ball State University. Ethridge returned to Lubbock in 1998 as a teacher and coach at Coronado. Coronado High School has a new head baseball coach. Gary Hix comes to his new role from Amarillo ISD’s Amarillo High School, where he had served in the same capacity since 2003. With 22 years of experience, he was named Baseball Coach of the Year by the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame six times. Hix holds a bachelor’s degree from Lubbock Christian University and is pursuing a master’s degree from West Texas A&M University. Lisa Leach is the new assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. The new head baseball coach at Estacado High School is Mark Llanas. The West Texas native attended Lubbock Christian University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education and was a pitcher for the LCU Chaparrals. Llanas has been a physical education teacher and assistant varsity baseball coach at Estacado since 2003. He also has assisted with the school’s ninth grade football program since 2007. Ofelia Mendez is now principal of Guadalupe Elementary School, where she previously served as assistant principal. Most recently an assistant principal at Rush, Brown and Wheatley elementary schools, she has also been an instructional specialist and bilingual teacher.
Who’s News Northside ISD (San Antonio) Susan Cleveland, who has spent much of her education career as an administrator at Clark High School, is now the school’s principal. She began her career as a coach and teacher at Taft High School, moving to Clark in 2002 to serve as assistant Susan Cleveland principal. She was named academic dean in 2005 and vice principal in 2008. Clark holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in educational leadership from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Pearland ISD Five new administrators have been assigned for the 2010-2011 school year. They are listed with their positions and schools (if applicable) below: • Kim Brooks, principal, Berry Miller Junior High • Marlo Keller, principal, Kim Brooks Shadycrest Elementary
Marlo Keller
Dana Miles
Michelle Pourchot
• • •
Ben Pardo
Dana Miles, principal, Rogers Middle School Ben Pardo, athletic director Michelle Pourchot, principal, Lawhon Elementary
Pflugerville ISD Ryan Merrit has returned to Pflugerville ISD as director of career and technical education. He taught in the district for four years and was promoted to coordinator of career and technical education in 2008. He then transferred to Lake Travis ISD in Austin to serve as coordinator of college and career readiness. Merrit, who is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and holds a master’s degree in business administration. The district has appointed a new executive director of technology and planning. Victor Valdez comes to Pflugerville from Manor ISD, where he was director of technology since 2005. While in that position, he was named Administrator of the Year by the Texas Computer Education Association. Valdez, who is finishing a master’s degree in business administration after earning a bachelor’s degree in government from The University of Texas, has also worked in San Antonio’s Northside ISD as a Web technologist. Richardson ISD Pam Aitken began the school year as principal of Prestonwood Elementary School. A 16-year employee of Richardson ISD, she taught at Spring Valley Elementary and was an assistant principal at Wallace and O. Henry elementary schools and at Forest Lane Academy, where she had served as principal since 2008. Peggy Dillon is now principal of Lake Highlands High School. She has spent her 13 years in education with Richardson ISD, beginning as a teacher at Lake Highlands Junior High, followed by service as an assistant principal of J.J. Pearce High School. Her most recent assignment was principal of Westwood Junior High. Dillon’s bachelor’s degree was earned at The University of Texas at Dallas and her master’s degree in education administration is from Texas A&M University at Commerce. Forest Lane Academy greeted Von Ensley as the school’s new principal when the
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Texas School Business • October 2010