This year, San Antonio ISD welcomes 19 new campus principals for the 2022-2023 school year. They are eager to embark on the school year with their new campuses. Congratulations to the following principals:
Beacon Hill Academy – Felismina Martinez
Felismina Martinez brings 11 years of experience in education to Beacon Hill Academy. But first, she built her foundation while serving our country. Martinez put off college to enlist in the U.S. Army, and then followed that by working for the Department of Defense for 10 years. Martinez then used her GI Bill to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in interdisciplinary studies. The first to earn a degree in her family, Martinez had realized her parents’ dream. Wanting to impact students on a larger scale, she decided to pursue her master’s degree in school leadership at Trinity University. In 2019, she enrolled at the Relay Graduate School of Education to strengthen her leadership skills and prepare her for principalship. Martinez continues to follow her passion, overcome obstacles, and crush her goals.
Bonham Academy – Jeff Price
Jeff Price, who most recently served San Antonio ISD as principal of Tafolla Middle School, has been in the district for seven years. During his 23 years in education, Mr. Price also worked as a sixth-grade reading teacher before making the transition to campus administration. He served as assistant principal for Regency Place Elementary in NEISD. He worked for five years as principal of Serna Elementary in NEISD before moving to Trinity University as a Leadership Coach in the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program for aspiring administrators. Next, he spent a year at KIPP San Antonio serving as director of teaching practices. He is currently completing his doctorate in educational administration at the University of Texas at Austin.
Carroll Early Childhood Education Center – Anita O’Neal
Anita O’Neal is the principal at Carroll Early Childhood EC in SAISD. O’Neal has been in the field of education for 38 years. She has served as teacher, administrative assistant, reading teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Over her many years in education, O’Neal has demonstrated a proficiency in teaching and serving as an innovative campus leader. She displays strong leadership skills and enjoys developing great rapport with staff, students, and parents in the community. O’Neal graduated from Huston-Tillotson University with a bachelor of arts in education, and later earned her master’s from Texas A&M Kingsville in educational leadership.
Carvajal Elementary – Dr. Hugo Saucedo
Dr. Hugo Saucedo began his career with SAISD in 1998 as a social studies teacher at Sam Houston High School. He taught social studies at four SAISD high schools over a span of almost a decade, (Sam Houston, Lanier, Burbank, and Brackenridge). Additionally, Dr. Saucedo served as assistant principal at two campuses, Page Middle School and Rhodes Middle School. Most recently Dr. Saucedo has served as principal at Davis Middle School before coming to Carvajal Elementary School. He is a proud graduate of the Thomas Jefferson High School class of 1994. His experience at Jefferson inspired him to become an educational leader and to earn a doctorate degree in educational leadership from UTSA in 2016. Dr. Saucedo believes firmly in Freire’s philosophy of education which is rooted in humility and the belief that we must ignite a passion for learning in our students.
Crockett Academy – Lourdes Correa
Maria de Lourdes Correa has returned to serve the SAISD familia. She earned her bachelor of science degree from St. Mary’s University and her master’s degree from Texas A&I (now Texas A&M). She has worked for the South San Antonio ISD prior to her career with SAISD. She served SAISD as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary school principal and middle school principal. Her goal is to ensure all students receive a quality education. She loves children and looks forward to working with her staff, students, parents and community.
Davis Middle School – Keli Mullins
Keli Mullins is the proud principal of S.J. Davis Middle School. Ms. Mullins has 19 years of experience in education and has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the Houston and San Antonio areas. She brings a well-versed background in special education, discipline management, and overall campus leadership. Ms. Mullins is known for her strong leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and good rapport with staff, students, and parents. She believes both parental and community involvement along with a staff that possess a growth mindset are essential to a successful learning environment. Mullins graduated from the University of Houston where she earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology-educational science. She also holds a master of science degree in educational administration from Prairie View A&M University, and a master of arts degree in counseling.
De Zavala Elementary – Dr. Gloria Martinez
Dr. Gloria Martinez is the proud principal of Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary in SAISD. She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a specialization in education and Spanish. Dr. Martinez also holds a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Martinez has been in the field of education since 2000 and has served as a bilingual teacher, literacy teacher, instructional facilitator, instructional officer, assistant principal, and principal. She has served as principal of Loma Park Elementary, Sarah King Elementary, and now De Zavala Elementary. She has also served as director of school support in Pleasanton ISD. Dr. Martinez is also an adjunct professor with the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she teaches the master’s program in educational leadership. Dr. Martinez is a lifelong learner who values education and believes every student can learn and can reach their highest level of potential. She is looking forward to meeting and building relationships with her students and families to begin a journey towards a magical school year!
Green Elementary – Jennifer Soto
Jennifer Soto is the proud principal of Robert B. Green Elementary. Soto graduated from St. Mary’s University with a B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry. She attended Our Lady of The Lake University, where she received her master’s in organizational leadership. She had the privilege of participating in the SAISD and Texas A&M Kingsville leadership program, where she earned her certification in educational administration. She was also a certified National Laying the Foundation Math Trainer, which is a program under the National Math and Science Initiative. Soto comes from a family of educators. Her father, brother and sister have also served and continue to serve the SAISD community. After stops at Bonham Academy and Whittier Middle School as a math teacher, Soto transitioned into the position of instructional coach at Whittier Middle School prior to being assigned to Green Elementary as the assistant principal. Soto looks forward to working as a team with the faculty, staff, students, and families of Green Elementary as she leads with a passion, respect, and humility.
Hawthorne Academy – Kristina Smith
Kristina L. Smith has been committed to educating students for over 24 years. Mrs. Smith was born and bred in the Alamo City and is a proud graduate of Sam Houston High School. She attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California on a leadership scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Smith is currently a doctoral student at Texas Southern University. Her education experiences include special education teacher in the middle and high school, regional student council sponsor, class sponsor, dance teacher, and program coordinator. Mrs. Smith is proud of her vast administrative roles as she has served students from grades PK-12 in traditional elementary, DAEP (6-12), and academy settings. Her favorite quote is “Service is the price you pay to walk this earth.”
Hirsch Elementary – Natasha Gould
Natasha Gould is a 23-year veteran at SAISD. Gould comes to Hirsch after leading Japhet Academy as its principal for the past eight years. Gould spent the first 10 years of her career as a teacher at Ira Ogden Elementary and Collins Garden Elementary Schools teaching second, third and fifth grade. She then transitioned to W.W. White for five years, serving as campus instructional coach before earning a promotion to assistant principal. She is excited to begin her new role as principal at Herman Hirsch Elementary. In addition to being a servant leader and an enthusiastic educator with a passion for seeing kids and teachers grow to their fullest potential, Gould is also a loving mother and a devoted wife.
Japhet Academy – Melody Morgan
Melody Morgan is a San Antonio native and strongly dedicated to the SAISD community. Morgan is incredibly excited and honored to be the new principal of Japhet Academy. She views the ideal school environment as a welcoming and safe place where students can learn, grow and thrive socially, emotionally and academically. Morgan started her career at Twain and then Connell Middle Schools. She then transitioned to Forbes Academy, where she served as the campus implementation specialist before taking on the role of assistant principal. Most recently she served as the principal at Sarah King Elementary. Ms. Morgan earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She completed the McNeil Educational Foundation for Ecumenical Leadership’s 21st Century Leadership Principal Preparation program in 2018.
Martin Luther King Academy – Miriam Aguilar
Miriam Aguilar has worked in education for 22 years. Her career began in Laredo, where she worked for 10 years before moving to San Antonio and joining the SAISD familia. Her first stop was at Lanier High School as an assistant principal. That was followed by a stop at Poe Middle School serving as assistant principal for two years before being promoted to principal for an additional two years at Poe. A move to Highlands High School was next for Aguilar, where she was an assistant principal for five years. Aguilar’s educational background includes a bachelor of arts in English, bachelor of arts in reading, and a master of education degree. Aguilar promises to each family that every decision made on campus will be in the best interest of their children, providing a safe campus that is conducive to learning for everyone at M. L. King Academy.
Sarah King Elementary – Charity Nathaniel
Charity Nathaniel is the principal of Sarah King Elementary School in SAISD. Nathaniel has been in the field of education since 2005, and has served as an instructional assistant, teacher, instructional coach, academic dean, assistant principal, and now principal. She brings a well-versed background in motivating at-risk student populations to success, building relationships with students and families, discipline management, and data disaggregation. Nathaniel is known for being a fun, outgoing leader who motivates all those around her to learn and grow in the field of education. She maintains a good rapport with staff, students, and parents, and is an advocate of equity, believing that all students can and will achieve with high-quality engaging instruction, high expectations, and the support of loving and nurturing educators. Nathaniel considers herself a “champion for kids” and a life-long learner; in fact, she learns most from the students and staff she leads. Nathaniel graduated from The University of the Incarnate Word with a degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2005, and from Texas A&M San Antonio with a master’s in educational administration in 2014.
Poe Middle School – Elizabeth Castro
Elizabeth Castro is the interim principal of Poe STEM and Dual Language Middle School in SAISD. Castro has been in the field of education for 14 years and has served as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, coordinator for the International Baccalaureate Program, and assistant principal. Castro graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from UTSA. She brings a well-versed background in curriculum and instruction, data analysis, and campus leadership. Castro is known for her strong leadership skills, good rapport with staff, students, and parents, and excellent communication skills. Castro believes in teaching and learning through inquiry and communication.
Riverside Park Elementary – Andre’a Pitts
Andre’a Pitts has served SAISD in the capacity of a Pre-K instructional assistant, second and third grade teacher, and in leadership roles including reading cadre and math trainer of trainers for her campus. In 2014, Ms. Pitts earned her master of education in school counseling from Lamar University, and served campuses as a counselor, assistant principal, and associate principal. Pitts attended Tyler Junior College, where she earned her associate degree in university studies and transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Her philosophy is anchored in making learning an experience for all students and equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive as well-rounded individuals serving a greater purpose than self. Ms. Pitts truly believes a village of family, educators, and community members working together will empower all students.
Tafolla Middle School – Daniel Mauldin
Daniel Mauldin comes to Tafolla Middle School after serving as principal of Zamora Middle School at South San ISD and raised the campus to a projected B rating from the TEA during the COVID pandemic. Mauldin likes to focus on high-quality tier-one instruction, improving attendance, and building relationships with all stakeholders on the campus he leads. Mauldin was an assistant principal for four years, one at South San High School and three years at Dwight Middle School in SSAISD. Prior to administration, Mr. Mauldin taught social studies, including advanced placement courses at South San Antonio High School. Mauldin is an Army veteran decorated for Heroism. He followed his military service by earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word and worked in residential youth treatment for seven years. Mauldin continued his higher education by earning his master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University.
Travis Early College High School – Twila M. Guajardo
Twila Guajardo is excited to serve as principal of Travis Early College High School. Guajardo comes to SAISD with 18 years of experience as a special education aide, teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal in middle and high school levels. Guajardo earned a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, and a master of education in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Her educator certifications are in Social Studies 8-12, Principal K-12, and Superintendent K-12. Guajardo’s passion as an educator is to build capacity in others and empower them to act. Creating a proactive collaborative culture with a focus on excellence for adults and students alike is at the heart of her leadership philosophy.
Whittier Middle School – Mandie Holtsford
Mandie Holtsford is the principal of Whittier Middle School in SAISD. Holtsford has been in the field of education since 2006 and has served as a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal. She brings a well-versed background in middle/high school counseling, college and career readiness, and early college. As a proud product of SAISD, Holtsford is known for her strong leadership skills, and good rapport with staff, students, parents and the community. It is her passion to provide students with the opportunities and experiences they need to have the confidence to become life-long learners and productive citizens in society. Ms. Holtsford graduated from UTSA with an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas A&M-San Antonio.
Woodlawn Academy – Luis De La Garza
Luis De La Garza has dedicated 17 years to his passion for education. For the last six years, De La Garza has worked as an assistant head of school at Thomas Jefferson IB World School in SAISD. De La Garza says he hopes to develop a strong connection between the two campuses to provide our students with a direct pipeline to the life-changing benefits of an International Baccalaureate education. He intends to work diligently with all stakeholders in the community to provide all students with strong academic and social-emotional foundations. De La Garza is extremely thrilled to bring his skills as an educational leader, parent, and veteran to Woodlawn Academy and to work with the community as a partner in education to ensure each child's success.