began as a science teacher at McDonald Middle School, going on to serve as an assistant principal, principal and in several central office administration positions. The new assistant principal of Motley Elementary School is Amanda Martin, who has spent all her 15 years as an educator in Mesquite ISD. She was most recently a district-level math facilitator. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Texas A&M University at Commerce. Berry Middle School’s former assistant principal has stepped up as principal. Gerald Sarpy also has served as assistant principal at North Mesquite High School. Sarpy has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Now serving as assistant principal of Rutherford Elementary School is Casy Wilburn. Most recently an instructional specialist at Cannaday Elementary, she holds bachelor’s and graduate degrees from Texas A&M University at Commerce.
Mineral Wells ISD
New Superintendent John Kuhn comes to the district from Perrin-Whitt CISD, where he also served in the top job. He is a previous employee of Mineral Wells ISD, where he worked as a high school principal before joining Perrin-Whitt in 2010. Kuhn is a graduate of Tarleton State University. David Tarver, who for the past year has been principal of Perrin High School in Perrin-Witt CISD, has returned to Mineral Wells ISD as assistant superintendent. He was previously assistant principal of Mineral Wells’ Travis Elementary and also worked as an assistant football coach and offensive coordinator for the district. Tarver obtained his bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University and completed his master’s degree in education at Lamar University. Assistant Superintendent Jay Walsworth has announced his upcoming retirement, closing a three-decade career in Texas public education. He began his time with Mineral Wells ISD in 1987, working in Millsap ISD for several years before returning to his original district as principal of Mineral Wells High School in 2002. He has served as assistant superintendent since 2012.
Moody ISD
New Superintendent Gary Martel most recently held the top position in Diboll ISD, where he worked for 17 years.
Nacogdoches ISD
Sandra Dowdy is the new interim superin-
tendent. Also, the following assignments were made at Nacogdoches High School: Cotina Evans, head volleyball coach; David Greer, head baseball coach; Gary Hall, boys’ basketball head coach; and Michael O’Guin, principal.
North Hopkins ISD
Darin Jolly is the district’s new superinten-
dent.
Northside ISD Now leading Knowlton Elementary School as principal is Maricela Alcaron, former vice principal of Northwest Crossing Elementary. She began her career in Northside ISD in 2005 as a bilingual teacher, going on to serve as vice principal of Mead Elementary. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rice University, her master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, and her doctorate from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Lisa Baker, previously vice principal of Northside Alternative High School, has been promoted to principal of Communications Arts High School. She also worked at O’Connor High as a special education campus and department coordinator, vice principal of summer school and assistant principal. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Texas at San Antonio. The new principal of Scarborough Elementary is school is Mirella Campbell, who most recently was vice principal of Locke Hill Elementary. She came to Northeast ISD in 2002 as a teacher at Hull Elementary, leaving the district to work in Katy ISD. She is a graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Robert Harris, former principal of Jay High School, is now first principal of Harlan High School, a new campus scheduled that opened in August. He joined Northside ISD in 2000 as assistant principal at Jay. Harris received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Midwestern State University. The new principal of Valley Hi Elementary School is Andrew Morris, who was the campus vice principal. After a career in the Air Force, he joined Northside ISD in 2004 as a special education teacher at Knowlton Elementary. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Los Reyes Elementary School began the new school year with Erika Pruneda as principal. She was formerly the vice principal of Beard Elementary. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Jay Sumpter has moved from serving as principal of Jay Science and Engineering Academy to leading Jay High School. He was a science and AP psychology teacher
at the Academy for nine years before being named its assistant director in 2006. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University and a master’s degree from Lamar University. The former principal of Nimitz Elementary School in Kerrville ISD is now principal of Timberwilde Elementary. Wendy Tieman began her career in Waller ISD, going on to teach and serve as an administrator in McKinney ISD and in Broken Arrow, Okla. She received her bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and her master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University at Commerce. Northeast ISD has made 11 additional administrative appointments. They are: Valerie Arce, vice principal, Cole Elementary School; Erika Avila, vice principal, Villarreal Elementary School; Frank Bayardo, director of maintenance and operations; Ann Marie Devlin, academic dean, Folks Middle School; Frank Johnson, vice principal, Valley Hi Elementary School; Rick Lane, academic dean, Stinson Middle School; Gabriela Menchaca, vice principal, Fields Elementary School; Paul Ramirez, vice principal, Jones Middle School; Christina Sanchez, assistant principal, Jefferson Middle School; Renee Stanley, director of special revenues and compliance; and Gregory Wright, vice principal, Glass Elementary School.
Northwest ISD
John Booles is principal of
Sendera Ranch Elementary School, where he was serving as assistant principal. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. Additionally, he has a post-graduate degree in education from LeTourneau University. Micah Gierky, the district’s special education supervisor for the past four years, is now director of special education. Prior to that, she was a special education support teacher. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation studies. She earned her master’s degree in education from Texas Christian University. > See Who’s News, page 46 Texas School Business SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
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