Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Kimiko Cartwright as the new executive director of educator quality, effective July1.

Cartwright has served as the principal of Murchison Middle School since 2007, leading 130 staff members and more than 1,300 students. During her tenure, Murchison was designated as a No Place for Hate campus, as well as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme campus. Cartwright also served as Murchison's assistant principal and an AISD/University of Texas associate administrative intern for Pearce Middle School.

As executive director of educator quality for Austin ISD, Cartwright will ensure that AISD develops, retains, reorganizes and deploys effective teachers, administrators and support staff. She also will manage and support programs such as professional development, leadership development and strategic compensation for the district.

"I am excited to be able to play an integral role in the development and retention of quality educators for AISD," Cartwright said. "It is both an honor and a privilege to help lead the future of AISD."

In April, AISD's Board of Trustees recognized 30 newly certified or renewed teachers through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Austin ISD employs more National Board Certified Teachers than any other Texas district. Additionally, Austin ISD boasts 243 National Board Certified Teachers for the 2011-12 school year.