McKinney ISD names four new principals

by PegNews wire

McKINNEY – The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees approved principals for four elementary schools at a special board meeting held on May 8, 2007. The hires were a result of the announcement of retirement from Glen Oaks Elementary Principal Beth Parker, Slaughter Elementary Principal Deb Beasley, and Valley Creek Elementary Principal Debbie Garinger.

“It has long been forecasted that we would begin to face a shortage of administrators as the baby boomer generation begins to retire from education,” said Cody Cunningham, McKinney ISD Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications. “Boomers make up a third of the nation’s workforce, which has prompted McKinney ISD and other districts to focus attention on ‘grow your own’ programs and recruiting heavily for the best candidates. Fortunately, McKinney ISD is an extremely desirable district in which to work and the community involvement is second to none.”

The District had several highly qualified assistant principals prepared to move into principal positions. The new Glen Oaks Elementary School Principal will be Rhonda Gilliam. Ms. Gilliam has served as the assistant principal at the school for the past three years. Prior to serving at Glen Oaks, she was the Instructional Specialist at Webb Elementary School. She has also served as an elementary teacher at McNeil Elementary School, Slaughter Elementary School, and Wylie Intermediate School. She completed an administrative internship in 2003 and an administrative practicum in 2004. She is completing her eighth year with McKinney ISD. Ms. Gilliam earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Texas A&M University – Commerce, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas.

Nick DeFelice was named Slaughter Elementary School Principal. Mr. DeFelice was selected to transfer from Webb Elementary School to Slaughter Elementary School due to his vast experience as well as success at Webb Elementary. Mr. DeFelice has served as the principal at Webb Elementary for the past two years, and served as an assistant principal at Malvern Elementary School for four years. He was also an assistant principal in Richardson ISD, where he taught and coached for six years. Mr. DeFelice has over 22 years of experience in education. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters of Education Administration from East Texas State University (Texas A&M University – Commerce).

Linda Garvey was named the Valley Creek Elementary School Principal. Ms. Garvey has served in McKinney ISD for 17 years. She has over 33 years of experience in public education. Ms. Garvey also served as the Library Media Specialist at Valley Creek for four years. She taught at Valley Creek Elementary School, Caldwell Elementary School, and Burks Elementary School for ten years. She also taught in Princeton ISD, McAllen ISD, Hawkins ISD, and Conroe ISD. She obtained an Associate Degree of Fine Arts from Henderson County Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of North Texas, and a Masters Degree in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Amber Epperson was named the new principal of Webb Elementary School. Ms. Epperson is completing her fourth year in McKinney ISD and has worked in public education for eight years. She served as the assistant principal at Webb Elementary School for the past two years. Prior to serving at Webb Elementary, she was a consultant for Region 10 and taught middle school for three years at Mesquite ISD. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University – Commerce, and a Doctorate Degree in Education from Texas A&M University – Commerce.

Source: MISD