Argyle ISD Telena Wright is the new superintendent. She has been serving in that position in an interim capacity.
Arlington ISD Jerry McCullough, who has served as Arlington ISD’s interim superintendent since July, is now the superintendent. He came to Arlington ISD in 1969, teaching history at Ferguson, Nichols and Shackelford junior highs and Lamar High School and becoming an administrator in 1981 with his appointment to principal of Lamar. A year later, he opened Martin High School as its assistant principal, a role in which he served until 1985, when he became principal of Arlington High School. In 1989, McCullough was named the district’s associate superintendent and was promoted to deputy superintendent in 1993. McCullough’s bachelor’s degree was awarded from Baylor University, and his master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
Brent West is Arlington ISD’s new director of accounting. He began his career in 1998, teaching ESL in Taiwan and returning to the United States the following year to teach in Fort Worth ISD. In 2000, he once again travelled to Taiwan as an ESL teacher. Two years later, West joined the firm of Pickens Snodgrass Koch LLP as part of the firm’s audit and accounting staff; in 2005, he was promoted to audit senior. West earned a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Birdville ISD
The Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators has bestowed its Personnel Administrator of the Year award on Richard Valenta, who has been with Birdville ISD for 15 years, the past 10 as the district’s director of personnel services. Also at Birdville ISD, Valenta has served as assistant director of personnel services and assistant director of athletics. He began his career in 1981 with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD as a teacher and football coach, moving to Irving ISD in 1985, where he was a biology teacher and head baseball coach at Irving High School and a campus administrator at Sam Houston Junior High. Valenta’s bachelor’s degree was awarded from The University of Texas at Arlington, and his master’s degree from the University of North Texas. He is a doctoral student at Walden University.
Brackett ISD Robert Westbrook is the new superintendent, coming to Brackett ISD from Grandfalls-Royalty ISD, where he was also superintendent. He began his education career as a teacher and coach in Milano ISD, continuing there as a principal and interim superintendent. His 20-year career has included a stint as an educator with the Texas Youth Commission.
Burkeville ISD
The district’s new superintendent is Keith Langfitt. He was formerly superintendent of Nazareth ISD.
Chester ISD
A new superintendent has been appointed. He is John Kent, most recently principal of Leonard High School in Leonard ISD.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
A new central office administrator is in place for the district, principals have been appointed for two new campuses, and a longtime dance director has received a statewide award.
Deanna Swenke Elementary School, opening for the 2009-2010 school year, will have Donna Guthrieas its principal. She is a 22-year education veteran, coming from Deer Park ISD to Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in 1992 as a fifth grade teacher at Metcalf Elementary. She spent two years at Metcalf before becoming the school’s assistant principal, a role she had until 1998. She then spent four years as assistant principal of Millsap Elementary. In 2002, Guthrie was appointed principal of Ault Elementary, a position in which she will continue until the new school opens. Guthrie holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Sam Houston State University and a master of science degree in administration from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Additionally, she is certified in midmanagement administration.
Susan Higgins has been named principal of Jodie Smith Middle School, another new campus slated to open for the 2009-2010 school year. She has been an educator for 20 years, with 12 of those spent as an administrator. Higgins came to the district in 1993 as an assistant principal at Cypress Falls High School. After seven years, she took a one-year administrative internship; in 2001, she became principal of Arnold Middle School, where she will remain until opening the new school. Higgins earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Houston and a master of science degree in educational administration from Houston Baptist University. She holds certifications in midmanagement administration, instructional leadership and teacher appraisal.
Sally Provenzano, director of Cypress Springs High School’s drill team, Panteras, has been honored as the Texas Dance Educators Association’s Director of the Year. The award — which is given to a director with five or more years of service who exemplifies the philosophy, ethics and standards of TDEA — was presented to Provenzano at the organization’s annual convention in Austin in January. She established Panteras at Cypress Springs High in 1997, coming to the district from Deer Park ISD. Provenzano, who is a graduate of the University of Houston, received her teaching certification from Houston Baptist University.
Karen Smith is the district’s new controller, providing direction and supervision for accounting, budgeting, accounts payable and payroll, as well as serving as a resource for principals, division heads and directors in understanding and using the district’s financial operations. She has 17 years’ experience in public school finance, beginning in 1992 in the position of assistant director of food service finance at Northside ISD. Smith subsequently served as the internal auditor of Klein ISD from 1993 to 1998, becoming that district’s controller in 1999, a position she held for 10 years. Smith received her bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a certified public accountant and internal auditor, as well as a registered Texas school business administrator.
Grandfalls-Royalty ISD Janet Hunt has been named the new district superintendent, coming to Texas from Clovis, N.M., where she was director of instruction for the Clovis Municipal Schools.
Harlandale ISD Robert Jacklich, formerly interim superintendent of Harlandale ISD, is the district’s new superintendent.
Hearne ISD
Hearne ISD’s new superintendent is Jackie Kowalski who, until her new appointment, has been serving as the district’s director of curriculum and federal programs. Prior to coming to Hearne ISD in 2006, she spent 10 years with Brenham ISD, first as principal of Alton Elementary School, then as the director of community education. Kowalski also has held the position of principal of Milano Elementary School in Milano ISD, and she was a first and fifth grade teacher in Bryan ISD. Her education career began in 1974 as a second grade teacher and Title I math teacher in Omaha, Neb., followed by teaching positions in Laramie and Sheridan, Wyo. Kowalski also has served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Educational Administration at Texas A&M University, where she earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees; her associate of arts degree in elementary education was awarded from Casper College in Casper, Wyo., followed by a bachelor’s degree in the same field from the University of Wyoming.
Lueders-Avoca ISD
The new superintendent is Roger Huber, who has been serving as the district’s interim superintendent since August. Prior to joining the administration, he served with Anson ISD for 23 years and with ESC Region 14 for 10 years.
McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD’s health and physical education coordinator, Mario Reyna, is the new president-elect of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD). The first person from the Rio Grande Valley to hold this position, he has been an active member of the organization for 20 years, serving as regional representative and vice president of the P.E. division. As president-elect, he will chair TAHPERD’s finance committee. Reyna has spent his entire 27-year career with McAllen ISD, first as a teacher of physical education and health and then as a basketball coach, before taking on his current position with the district. Both his bachelor of science degree and master of education degree in physical education were awarded from The University of Texas – Pan American.
Port Aransas ISD Sharon Doughty has been tapped by the Port Aransas ISD Board of Trustees to serve as the district’s superintendent. With 24 years of experience in education, she has served as assistant superintendent of Southside ISD and as principal of two Edgewood ISD elementary schools, as well as teaching in Africa and Japan. Her most recent assignment was as superintendent of Poteet ISD. Doughty’s bachelor’s degree was earned from Texas A&M University, and her master’s degree from The University of Texas; she earned her doctorate at Texas A&M.
Ricardo ISD Maria “Vita” Canales is Ricardo ISD’s new superintendent. A native of Kingsville, she earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University at Kingsville. She is a 29-year educator, having served as a teacher in both elementary and secondary classrooms, a principal, an educational specialist, a consultant and a superintendent, most recently of Kingsville ISD.
Rockdale ISD Walter R. Pond, superintendent for the past 20 years, has retired. He spent his entire 38-year career in Rockdale ISD, beginning in 1971 as a student agriculture teacher at Rockdale High School. He then became a teacher there, progressing to assistant principal and then principal. He subsequently served as director of personnel, maintenance and transportation for three years before taking on the job of superintendent in 1988. Pond’s bachelor of science and master of education degrees were earned from Texas A&M University, as were his superintendent and midmanagement administrator certifications. Under his leadership, a $28.8 million bond package was passed that included the construction of a new intermediate school; significant renovation of the high school, and of the cafeteria, kitchen and nurses’ station at the elementary school; and a new wing for the junior high. As Pond leaves Rockdale ISD, all projects are under way, with some nearing completion.
Howell Wright takes on the role of superintendent. His education career began in Burkeville ISD. From there, he went on to serve as a teacher, a coach, an assistant principal and a principal in a number of Texas school districts, including Beaumont, Douglass, Huffman-Hargrave, New Waverly, Trinity, Cotulla and Palacios. His most recent assignment has been as superintendent of Rosebud-Lott ISD, where he has served since 2006. Wright’s bachelor of science and master of education degrees were awarded from Stephen F. Austin State University; his superintendent certification was earned from Lamar University, where he is pursuing a doctorate.
Runge ISD
The new superintendent is Randy Ewing, who was formerly the assistant superintendent of Lytle ISD.
Schulenburg ISD Walter “Wally” Padgett is the district’s new superintendent. He has 17 years of experience in education, 12 of those as an administrator. He began his career as a special education teacher in Sweetwater ISD, and then became a middle school assistant principal in Alice ISD. This was followed by assignments as a high school principal and central office district operations manager in Skidmore-Tynan ISD. In 2004, Padgett accepted the role of superintendent of Hubbard ISD, where he served until accepting his new role at Schulenburg ISD. Padgett earned a bachelor of science degree from McMurry University in Abilene and a master’s degree in school administration from Abilene Christian College; his superintendent certification was awarded from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi.
Socorro ISD
Socorro ISD’s director of fine arts, Nellie Ponikvar, was named the 2008 Texas Music Administrator of the Year by the Texas Music Administrators Conference. Ponikvar has been Socorro ISD’s fine arts director since 2001, overseeing band, choir, orchestra, piano, guitar, art, theater, mariachi, academic decathlon and UIL competitions. Ponikvar is completing her 38th year as an educator; eight of those have been spent in Socorro ISD. She earned a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music with elementary certification from The University of Texas at El Paso, and her master’s degree in administration from Sul Ross State University. She has taught band, choir, second grade and computer technology. Ponikvar also has served as a campus and central office administrator and participated on several state committees. She is the UIL music executive secretary for ESC Region 22.
Snyder ISD
The district’s new superintendent is Mark Eads, who comes to Snyder ISD from Medina Valley ISD, where he served as assistant superintendent. After spending several years in private-sector business, he entered the field of education 19 years ago as a teacher and campus administrator in Corpus Christi ISD. He then moved to the San Antonio area, where he served as a principal, ESC Region 20 educational specialist, director of personnel, and assistant superintendent for human resources and public relations.
Texarkana ISD
The Texarkana ISD Board of Trustees named Sonia Sandford the district’s coordinator of health, physical education and employee wellness. Her role will be to provide leadership in the coordination, improvement, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive K-12 health and physical education program, as well as to coordinate resources related to employee wellness and community outreach efforts in the areas of health and wellness. Sandford holds a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a master of arts degree in adapted physical education, both from the University of Northern Colorado. She earned her doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University. She was a high school teacher for four years and a college instructor for 14 years. In 2006, she came to Texarkana ISD, where, until her new appointment, she served as the Leadership and Ready, Set, Teach instructor for Texas High School.
Valley View ISD
The new superintendent is William Stokes, who comes to Valley View ISD from Lipan ISD, where he served in the same capacity.
West ISD Marty Crawford is the district’s new superintendent. After attending Baylor University on an athletic scholarship and receiving a bachelor of science degree in education, he spent two years as a minor league baseball player with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, earning South Atlantic League all-star honors. Upon retiring from baseball in 1998, he simultaneously began his education career as a teacher and coach in the Oklahoma City Public Schools and commenced graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. He earned a master of education degree and principal certification there. Crawford returned to his native Texas, serving as an elementary teacher and coach in Highland Park ISD, then as a history teacher and head baseball coach for Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and assistant football and track coach at Euless Trinity High School. In 2003, he took on the role of principal of Hillcrest High School in Dallas ISD, where he remained until accepting his newest position. He earned his superintendent certification and doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University – Commerce.
Ysleta ISD
The district’s new superintendent is Michael Zolkowski, who arrives in El Paso from his post as superintendent of Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools. He has taught not only in public schools, but also at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, and at Texas colleges and universities. He has 21 years’ experience as a superintendent, heading districts in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Under his leadership in Brownsville ISD, the number of recognized campuses and the number of national merit scholars increased. In Judson ISD, overall campus ratings improved two years in a row under his leadership. And while holding the top position in Tulsa Public Schools, the number of national merit scholars and test scores rose in 90 percent of the district’s schools. Zolkowski earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), a doctoral degree in education from California Coast University, and a second doctorate (in philosophy) from The University of Texas.
superintendent. He came to Arlington ISD in 1969, teaching history at Ferguson, Nichols and Shackelford junior highs and Lamar High School and becoming an administrator in 1981 with his appointment to principal of Lamar. A year later, he opened Martin High School as its assistant principal, a role in which he served until 1985, when he became principal of Arlington High School. In 1989, McCullough was named the district’s associate superintendent and was promoted to deputy superintendent in 1993. McCullough’s bachelor’s degree was awarded from Baylor University, and his master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
of the Year award on Richard Valenta, who has been with Birdville ISD for 15 years, the past 10 as the district’s director of personnel services. Also at Birdville ISD, Valenta has served as assistant director of personnel services and assistant director of athletics. He began his career in 1981 with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD as a teacher and football coach, moving to Irving ISD in 1985, where he was a biology teacher and head baseball coach at Irving High School and a campus administrator at Sam Houston Junior High. Valenta’s bachelor’s degree was awarded from The University of Texas at Arlington, and his master’s degree from the University of North Texas. He is a doctoral student at Walden University.
as its principal. She is a 22-year education veteran, coming from Deer Park ISD to Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in 1992 as a fifth grade teacher at Metcalf Elementary. She spent two years at Metcalf before becoming the school’s assistant principal, a role she had until 1998. She then spent four years as assistant principal of Millsap Elementary. In 2002, Guthrie was appointed principal of Ault Elementary, a position in which she will continue until the new school opens. Guthrie holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Sam Houston State University and a master of science degree in administration from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Additionally, she is certified in midmanagement administration.
campus slated to open for the 2009-2010 school year. She has been an educator for 20 years, with 12 of those spent as an administrator. Higgins came to the district in 1993 as an assistant principal at Cypress Falls High School. After seven years, she took a one-year administrative internship; in 2001, she became principal of Arnold Middle School, where she will remain until opening the new school. Higgins earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Houston and a master of science degree in educational administration from Houston Baptist University. She holds certifications in midmanagement administration, instructional leadership and teacher appraisal.
the Texas Dance Educators Association’s Director of the Year. The award — which is given to a director with five or more years of service who exemplifies the philosophy, ethics and standards of TDEA — was presented to Provenzano at the organization’s annual convention in Austin in January. She established Panteras at Cypress Springs High in 1997, coming to the district from Deer Park ISD. Provenzano, who is a graduate of the University of Houston, received her teaching certification from Houston Baptist University.
budgeting, accounts payable and payroll, as well as serving as a resource for principals, division heads and directors in understanding and using the district’s financial operations. She has 17 years’ experience in public school finance, beginning in 1992 in the position of assistant director of food service finance at Northside ISD. Smith subsequently served as the internal auditor of Klein ISD from 1993 to 1998, becoming that district’s controller in 1999, a position she held for 10 years. Smith received her bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a certified public accountant and internal auditor, as well as a registered Texas school business administrator.
Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD). The first person from the Rio Grande Valley to hold this position, he has been an active member of the organization for 20 years, serving as regional representative and vice president of the P.E. division. As president-elect, he will chair TAHPERD’s finance committee. Reyna has spent his entire 27-year career with McAllen ISD, first as a teacher of physical education and health and then as a basketball coach, before taking on his current position with the district. Both his bachelor of science degree and master of education degree in physical education were awarded from The University of Texas – Pan American.
bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University at Kingsville. She is a 29-year educator, having served as a teacher in both elementary and secondary classrooms, a principal, an educational specialist, a consultant and a superintendent, most recently of Kingsville ISD.
in Rockdale ISD, beginning in 1971 as a student agriculture teacher at Rockdale High School. He then became a teacher there, progressing to assistant principal and then principal. He subsequently served as director of personnel, maintenance and transportation for three years before taking on the job of superintendent in 1988. Pond’s bachelor of science and master of education degrees were earned from Texas A&M University, as were his superintendent and midmanagement administrator certifications. Under his leadership, a $28.8 million bond package was passed that included the construction of a new intermediate school; significant renovation of the high school, and of the cafeteria, kitchen and nurses’ station at the elementary school; and a new wing for the junior high. As Pond leaves Rockdale ISD, all projects are under way, with some nearing completion.
the Year by the Texas Music Administrators Conference. Ponikvar has been Socorro ISD’s fine arts director since 2001, overseeing band, choir, orchestra, piano, guitar, art, theater, mariachi, academic decathlon and UIL competitions. Ponikvar is completing her 38th year as an educator; eight of those have been spent in Socorro ISD. She earned a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music with elementary certification from The University of Texas at El Paso, and her master’s degree in administration from Sul Ross State University. She has taught band, choir, second grade and computer technology. Ponikvar also has served as a campus and central office administrator and participated on several state committees. She is the UIL music executive secretary for ESC Region 22.
physical education and employee wellness. Her role will be to provide leadership in the coordination, improvement, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive K-12 health and physical education program, as well as to coordinate resources related to employee wellness and community outreach efforts in the areas of health and wellness. Sandford holds a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a master of arts degree in adapted physical education, both from the University of Northern Colorado. She earned her doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University. She was a high school teacher for four years and a college instructor for 14 years. In 2006, she came to Texarkana ISD, where, until her new appointment, she served as the Leadership and Ready, Set, Teach instructor for Texas High School.
scholarship and receiving a bachelor of science degree in education, he spent two years as a minor league baseball player with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, earning South Atlantic League all-star honors. Upon retiring from baseball in 1998, he simultaneously began his education career as a teacher and coach in the Oklahoma City Public Schools and commenced graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. He earned a master of education degree and principal certification there. Crawford returned to his native Texas, serving as an elementary teacher and coach in Highland Park ISD, then as a history teacher and head baseball coach for Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and assistant football and track coach at Euless Trinity High School. In 2003, he took on the role of principal of Hillcrest High School in Dallas ISD, where he remained until accepting his newest position. He earned his superintendent certification and doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University – Commerce.