Brownsville ISD selects new principals, administrators

Jul. 2—Only have a minute? Listen instead

The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees has approved the recommendations of Superintendent Rene Gutierrez's administration to fill campus principal and new leadership positions.

"I am confident that our new principals and directors will continue to lead and share our mission to graduate students who are prepared to excel in higher education and successfully pursue career opportunities," Gutiérrez, EdD, said in a news release following the June 28 board of trustees meeting at which the appointments were approved.

"This district has been the foundation for the growth and progress of this city since 1915 and together we continue to move forward in doing whatever is necessary to provide a quality education for our students and families," Dr. Gutiérrez added.

Linda Gallegos, EdD, was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer. She served as principal at Veterans Memorial Early College High School for the past seven years. Her experience includes leadership roles as a principal at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. She also served as the administrator of grants and director of the 21st Century Program. Gallegos has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Texas-Pan American. She has a total of 27 years of combined experience as an educator and administrator.

Beatriz Hernandez was appointed Chief Academic Officer. She served as the director of the Assessment, Research, Evaluation, and Gifted and Talented Department for the past two years. Prior to that, she served as principal at Perkins Middle School, as well as an assistant principal and dean of instruction. Hernandez has a total of 22 years of experience as an educator.

Alejandro Céspedes was appointed Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the district, Céspedes was the La Feria Independent School District Chief Financial Officer for five years and prior to that, was a senior accountant at South Texas College. He has over 12 years of experience working in education.

Alejandra Aldrete will assume the duties of director of the Parent and Family Engagement Department. She previously served as a specialist in the Bilingual/ESL/Title III Department. As a specialist, she served families of emergent bilingual students through district wide parent and family engagement activities such as literacy nights, parental symposiums, and community outreach events. Prior to that, she served as a dean of instruction and an elementary school teacher. Aldrete has a total of 17 years of experience as an educator.

Benita Villarreal will assume the duties of director of the Career and Technical Education Department (CTE). She served as principal at Faulk Middle School for the past seven years and prior to that, served as assistant principal for Rivera Early College High School, Brownsville Learning Academy, and Lopez Early College High School. Villarreal has a total of 20 years of experience as an educator.

Obed Leal will assume the duties of principal at Rivera Early College High School. He served as principal at Stell Middle School for the past six years. Prior to that, he served as a high school assistant principal for five years. Leal has a total of 20 years of experience as an educator.

Norma Jean Canales will assume the duties of principal at Veterans Memorial Early College High School. She served as principal at Rivera Early College High School for the past six years. Prior to that, she served as principal at Lincoln Park for three years. In addition, she served as principal at Manzano Middle School for four years, principal at Yturria Elementary for three years, and assistant principal at Clearwater Elementary for three years. Canales has a total of 31 years of experience in education.

Hector Hernandez will assume the duties of principal at Faulk Middle School. He served as principal at Brownsville Academic Center for the past six years. Prior to that, he served as a principal at two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Hernandez has a total of 48 years of experience as an educator.

Sandra Cortez will assume the duties of principal at Stillman Middle School. She served as principal at Yturria Elementary for nine years. Prior to that, she served as principal at Sharp Elementary. Cortez has a total of 27 years of experience as an educator.

Noe Garcia will assume the duties of principal at Brownsville Academic Center. He served as principal at Brownsville Learning Academy for the past four years. Prior to that, he served as principal and assistant principal at Garcia Middle School. Garcia has a total of 35 years of experience as an educator.

Gilda Jo Peña will assume the duties of principal at Stell Middle School. She served as principal of Martin Elementary for nearly 16 years. Prior to that, she was a facilitator at Martin Elementary and a classroom teacher at Perez Elementary. Peña has a total of 32 years of experience as an educator.

Myrta Alicia Castillo will assume the duties of principal at Ben Brite Elementary. She served as an assistant principal at Faulk Middle School for the past four years. Prior to that, she served as a high school assistant principal, elementary assistant principal, facilitator, and the Texas Title I Priority for Schools (TTIPS) grant coordinator. Castillo has a total of 25 years of experience as an educator.

Anabela Almanza will assume the duties of principal at Benavides Elementary. She previously served as the principal at Southmost Elementary for the past 12 years. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at Russell Elementary. Almanza has a total of 34 years of experience as an educator.

Petra Torres will assume the duties of principal at Breeden Elementary. She served as principal at Del Castillo Elementary for the past seven years. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at Lopez Early College High School and a curriculum specialist at Los Fresnos High School. Torres has a total of 29 years of experience as an educator.

Patricia Chacon will assume the duties of principal at Canales Elementary. She served as principal at Palm Grove Elementary for the past seven years. Prior to that, she served as principal at Ben Brite Elementary for nearly two years. Chacon has a total of 25 years of experience as an educator.

Carla C. Gonzalez will assume the duties of principal at Cromack Elementary. She served as principal at Breeden Elementary for the past two years. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at Pace Early College High School. Gonzalez has a total of 25 years of experience as an educator.

Maricela Guerra will assume the duties of interim principal at Del Castillo Elementary. She served as interim principal at Cromack Elementary for the past year. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at Cromack Elementary. Guerra has a total of 21 years of experience as an educator.

Ada Fernandez will assume the duties of principal at Egly Elementary. She served as dean of instruction at Vermillion Elementary for the past three years, and prior to that, was a dyslexia teacher at Breeden Elementary for six years. She began her career at Southmost Elementary as a bilingual teacher. Fernandez has a total of 21 years of experience as an educator.

Myrta Garza will assume the duties of principal at Palm Grove Elementary. She served as principal at Canales Elementary for the past four years. Prior to that, she served as principal at Longoria Elementary for six years. Garza has 33 years of experience as an educator.

Nicole Clint will assume the duties of principal at Yturria Elementary. She served as principal at Ben Brite Elementary for the past seven years. Prior to that, she served as principal at Paredes Elementary for three years, and principal at Yturria Elementary for three years, as well as an assistant principal for three years. Clint has 29 years of experience as an educator.

Sherry Stout will assume the duties of principal at Southmost Elementary. She served as principal at Benavides Elementary for the past 17 years. Prior to that, she served as a principal, an assistant principal, and curriculum director in Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District. Stout has a total of 37 years of experience as an educator.

For more information, contact the Brownsville Independent School District at 956.548.8000 or visit www.bisd.us.