On Monday, Austin ISD's Board of Trustees approved four new principal appointments, as well as the appointment of the district's new executive director for technology. The principal appointments are effective July 2013, and the executive director position becomes effective immediately.
Trustees approved appointments of:
Rhoda Coleman as principal of Palm Elementary School. Coleman serves as principal intern at Bedichek Middle School, and brings 17 years of educational experience. She has served as both an elementary and middle school assistant principal at Hart, Norman and Oak Springs elementary schools and Burnet Middle School. Coleman has also been an elementary school teacher and instructional coach in AISD, and has extensive experience in Title I schools. Coleman has a bachelor's degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in educational administration from Texas State University.
Sterlin McGruder as principal of the new single-sex school for young men for district 1. McGruder serves as the principal of Grand Prairie ISD's Young Men's Leadership Academy at Kennedy Middle School, which he was appointed to lead when it reopened as a single-sex school. As principal, he has created a culture focused on college readiness and leadership. He also has served as the principal of David Daniels Elementary School, and brings 11 years of administrative experience to his new position. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies and a Master of Science degree in education from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Raul Sanchez as principal of Webb Middle School. Sanchez serves as the principal of Mission Junior High School in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District. He has 13 years of administrative experience, including seven years as principal of Mission Junior High School, three years as principal of Raquel Cavazos Elementary School and three years as assistant principal of K. White Junior High School. He has served as a mentor to principals and was selected as Mission CISD's Teacher of the Year during his six years of teaching at the middle school level. Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Texas Pan American. He also is working toward a doctorate in educational leadership.
Jennifer Stephens as principal of Ortega Elementary School. Stephens serves as the principal intern at Sunset Valley Elementary School and brings 12 years of educational experience. Stephens has worked with the Eastside Memorial Vertical Team as an assistant principal at Ortega and Allan elementary schools, and as the STEM Summer Academy Principal. She also has been a bilingual math and science coach and a bilingual teacher. Stephens has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Texas State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Texas State University.
James Lax as executive director for technology. Lax serves as director of AISD's Information Management Support Services. He has 32 years of experience in software development with 20 years of supervisory and management experience. Lax holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from St. Edwards University and has completed graduate-level business courses at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as courses at the U.S. Air Force Academy.