SBISD Names New Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) Leader

Kedrick Lookadoo has been named the new principal/director at Spring Branch ISD’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) campus.

Director Lookadoo has 13 years of experience in public education in a variety of positions in Cypress Fairbanks ISD. He taught math and science for six years at Matzke Elementary, spent two years as an instructional specialist at Walker Elementary from 2008 until 2010, and was promoted to assistant principal at that district’s Alternative Learning Center-West. He served in that position for five years.

Mr. Lookadoo held several leadership positions in Cy-Fair, including team leader, lead mentor, AMIP summer coordinator, campus liaison and Site Based Management Committee member.

He earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Southern University in New Orleans, La., and then his master’s degree in educational administration from the Prairie View A&M University, based in the Texas town of the same name.

“It is an honor to serve as the next principal-director of the district's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. I am excited about building a culture of success,” Mr. Lookadoo said. “I believe we can reach, teach and get our students back on their individual Path to Success by equipping them with the necessary skills needed to be productive citizens.”

Spring Branch ISD’s T-2-4 goal calls for all students to successfully complete military training, technical certification, or a two-year or four-year college degree after graduation.

Mr. Lookadoo holds state certifications in Principal (Early Childhood-12), Elementary Self-Contained (Grades 1-8), and English as a Second Language (Grades 1-8).

He replaces Michele Hilberth, who retired recently.

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Spring Branch ISD Names New Pine Shadows Elementary Principal

Chris Winstead has been named the new principal at Pine Shadows Elementary School. She has 45 years of teaching and administrative experience, and has taught in private schools and at regional universities and community colleges.

Principal Winstead served as assistant principal at Pine Shadows Elementary for the past three years. Before that, she taught as an adjunct professor in Lone Star College’s programs at the Tomball and University Park campuses. In addition, she was a university supervisor at Texas A&M University/Sam Houston State University.

From 1977 through 2003, Principal Winstead was a teacher and then principal in Spring ISD. She was the principal at both Link and Jenkins elementary schools, and she taught earlier at Hirsch and Spring elementary schools. She was a teacher in Aldine ISD for one year and also taught at St. Matthews Lutheran School in Houston in the early 1970s.

In 1970, she earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Ill. She later earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

“I was honored and excited to assume the role of principal at Pine Shadows Elementary this summer,” she said. “Pine Shadows students, staff and community have a huge passion for living and learning, which has always been my personal focus.”

“The enriching culture and diversity on our campus is energizing to me. I can’t wait to get to school each morning to see what students are learning in their classrooms and to see our staff engaged in this process. In addition, our greater community, which includes families and neighborhood partnerships, supports us, encourages us and assists us in educating our students,” Principal Winstead said.

She is committed to Spring Branch T-2-4’s goal, which calls for all students to be equipped with the academic and life skills to successfully complete some form of education after graduation – military training, technical certification, or a two-year or four-year college degree.

Pine Shadows Elementary’s theme this year is “See It, Believe It, Achieve It.” Principal Winstead said that she “embraces this challenge to see the vision, to believe in our mission, and to achieve our goals for our students, our staff and community. We can do this!”

When not at school, her family time is divided between high school and college-age grandchildren who reside in Georgia and elementary grandchildren who live closer to her in Cypress. Principal Winstead replaces Joyce Olson, who has retired.

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SBISD Names New Spring Shadows Elementary School Principal

Rachel Martinez has been named as principal at Spring Shadows Elementary School after serving there as co-leader and principal- in residence last year. She has 14 years in education including nine years in Spring Branch ISD as a teacher and district staff developer.

For the past two years, she was an assistant principal at Treasure Forest Elementary. She has also led Port Houston Elementary in Houston ISD as principal. In SBISD, she’s served as both a bilingual Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and a Response to Intervention TOSA.

In 2001, Principal Martinez earned her bachelor of science degree in education through Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. She later earned a master’s degree in educational administration in 2009 through Texas A&M University in College Station. She’s currently pursuing her doctoral degree, also through the flagship Texas A&M campus.
She began her education career in 2002 at Ridgecrest Elementary School as a second-grade bilingual teacher. “As a product of Spring Branch ISD, it was an honor to return to Spring Branch after college. I love serving the community I grew up in,” Principal Martinez said.

As Spring Shadows principal, her life has come full circle. In 1991, her parents moved to Houston from the Rio Grande Valley. “We moved into what is now called Miami Garden Apartments, which fed into Spring Shadows Elementary. I’m so honored to serve this community and to continue the great work of leaders before me,” she said.

Principal Martinez is a strong supporter of the district’s T-2-4 goal, which calls for SBISD students to be equipped with the academic and life skills to successfully complete some form of higher education after graduation – technical certification, military training, or a two-year or four-year college degree.

As both an assistant principal and summer school director, she’s worked with teachers and helped to use data to inform and improve teacher instruction.

“As a principal and leader, I want to ensure that every single action we take has a direct influence on helping students understand that they have a gift inside. As educators, we all need to get to know our students to the level of harnessing that gift, those strengths, to achieve great things. We have a strong responsibility to ensure that our students not only have a solid foundation, but exceed everyone’s expectations,” she said.

In her TOSA roles, she worked with teachers from every district elementary and middle school. “Our teachers work very hard across the board. I had a unique opportunity to coach teachers by facilitating academic conversations around the needs of their students. I do believe that it all starts with getting to know your students,” Principal Martinez said.

She describes her career in education as a family affair. “My husband of 17 years, Awais Mahmood, is a district language specialist for Klein ISD. I also share my home with four furry, feline friends, and in my spare time I like to craft, read books and travel to state parks,” Principal Martinez said.

As principal, she replaces Jerona Williams, who serves as the district Interim Executive Director of Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Administrative Services.

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Spring Branch ISD Names New Hollibrook Elementary School Principal

Karen Liska has been named the new principal at Hollibrook Elementary School.   She has 37 years in education including eight years in Spring Branch ISD where she served as the principal at Thornwood Elementary and Spring Woods Middle School. 

Principal Liska also served 21 years in Spring ISD as a teacher, assistant principal and principal of Beneke Elementary School. Her distinguished educational career began in Milwaukee, Wis., and continued in Green Bay, Wis., before she moved with her family to Houston.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she earned degrees in both special education and general education. Mrs. Liska later earned a master’s degree in education administration from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, and she has attended the Principal Academy at Lamar University in Beaumont.

During the past two years, she has attended courses for Urban School Leaders and Turnaround Leaders at Harvard University in Boston. 

Among other honors, Principal Liska was named SBISD Elementary Principal of the Year (2010-2011) and then the SBISD Secondary Principal of the Year (2012-2013).  She’s a big supporter of the district’s T-2-4 goal, which calls for students of all ages to be equipped with the academic, social and life skills to successfully complete some form of higher education after graduation – technical certification, military training, or a two-year or four-year college degree.

“I am so excited to join the Hollibrook Hornet team as we work together with our students, teachers and staff, as well as parents and community to provide the best educational opportunities for all of our students,” Principal Liska said. “We have the unique opportunity to ‘touch the future’ each and every day as we work with our students to help develop their own personal goals and dreams.  We know we are the pivotal link as we train our kids for jobs in the future – some of which have not even been created yet.”

During a long education career, she notes humorously, she’s supported seven campus mascots – enough to fill a small zoo or a child’s toy box. “I have been a Viking, Wolverine, Bear, Lion Cub, Crayon, Tiger, Badger, Hawk and now for the first time – an insect – A Hornet!” said Mrs. Liska.

Of serious note, improvements in school performance and culture under her watch have led to positive external review. At Spring Woods Middle, the principal, staff and students were the focus of a professional school case study, titled The Journey Upward: Rising above the Turbulence at Spring Wood Middle School, conducted by the Center for Reform of School Systems in 2014. Findings were presented this spring during a state conference.

Principal Liska also served on a discussion panel with Dr. Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education, and Dr. Mike Moses, the former Texas Commissioner of Education, during a recently held Texas Fellows Conference.

Mrs. Liska holds state certifications in Mid Management (PreK-12), Elementary Ed (1-8), ESL (Prek-12), and Special Ed (PreK-12).

Karen resides in Spring Branch with her husband of 37 years and has two grown children and a 2 ½-year-old granddaughter, Madeline.  When not at school, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, hiking and biking.

At Hollibrook, Principal Liska replaces Elsa Delgado, who has joined SBISD’s Human Resources Department team.

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Spring Branch ISD Names New Landrum Middle School Principal

Steven Speyrer has been named as the new principal at Landrum Middle School.  Steven has 20 years in education including one year in Spring Branch ISD serving as the associate principal at both Ridgecrest Elementary and Landrum Middle schools.

In 1996, Principal Speyrer earned his bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, La.  He received a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Houston in 2004.

After teaching biology and chemistry for four years in Lafayette Parish schools in Louisiana, Mr. Speyrer moved to Texas and taught chemistry at Mayde Creek High School in Katy ISD for five years.  Beginning in 2005, he was an assistant principal at Albright Middle School and Alief Taylor High School in Alief ISD. 

In 2009, Mr. Speyrer served as an associate principal of instruction at Elsik High School in Alief ISD for five years. In 2014, he joined Spring Branch ISD as an associate principal at two campuses. He’s served as principal of the summer language institute for immigrant students in Alief ISD, too.  

Among other leadership qualifications, Mr. Speyrer was a member of the cohort of recent educators who have successfully completed the Rice Educational Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) at Rice University.

“I’m thrilled and humbled to be appointed as principal of Landrum Middle School,” Principal Speyrer says. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with a Landrum team that is passionate about doing whatever it takes ensure that our students are reaching their highest potential.”

“Our mission at Landrum Middle School is to provide students with a world-class education that will equip them with 21st Century skills to compete in a complex, global economy.  As we grow, equip and develop students, we expect our students to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to them,” he also said.

Landrum’s faculty and staff are committed to working together to assure that every student is well equipped with the academic, social life skills, and initiatives needed to meet the district’s T-2-4 goal.

“We are determined to create a community of learners reflecting the core values of SBISD: academic excellence, caring and cooperative relationships, mutual trust and respect, and commitment to community,” the new principal said.

Principal Speyrer holds state certifications in Principal (Grades EC-12) and Secondary Science Composite (Grades 6-12).

He is the proud parent of one daughter. His hobbies include cycling, gardening, camping and traveling. 

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New Principals Are Named for Spring Branch ISD Campuses

Left to right: Stephen Speyrer, Landrum Middle School; Rachel Martinez, Spring

Shadows Elementary School; Kedrick Lookadoo, principal/director for Disciplinary

Alternative Education Program; Sarah Guerrero, Northbrook Middle School; Chris

Winstead, Pine Shadows Elementary School; Karen Liska, Hollibrook Elementary

School; Scott Muri, Ed.D., SBISD Superintendent; Deborah Silber, Spring Woods

Middle School; Jill Wright, Academy of Choice/Cornerstone Academy; Morella

Tapia, Wildcat Way School for Early Learning; and Robert “Danny” Gex,
Stratford High School. Not pictured here: Aaron Dominguez, Treasure Forest
Elementary School.

Some Spring Branch ISD students may return to classes on Aug. 24 and find a new school leader in charge due to retirements, changes in district role, or other administrative-level changes.

Eleven SBISD campuses – one prekindergarten, four elementary schools, three middle schools, one traditional and one alternative high school, and the district disciplinary alternative education program – will welcome new directing principals or directors beginning this month.

In addition, several SBISD campuses will welcome new assistant principals, and the district will transition several administrators to new roles.

New principal/director assignments by location:

• Wildcat Way School for Early Learning, 12754 Kimberley. Morella Tapia has been named as director at this prekindergarten. She’s served 14 years in SBISD as an elementary teacher, intervention specialist and assistant principal.
• Hollibrook Elementary, 3602 Hollister. Karen Liska has been named to lead this school. Principal Liska has 37 years in education, and has been principal at Thornwood Elementary and Spring Woods Middle School.
• Pine Shadows Elementary, 9900 Neuens Road. Chris Winstead, who has 45 years of teaching and administrative experience in public and private school systems, is the new principal. She has also taught at regional universities.
• Spring Shadows Elementary, 9725 Kempwood. Rachel Martinez was named principal at this school after serving there last year as co-leader and principal in residence. She has 14 years in public education, including nine years as a teacher and district staff developer in SBISD.
• Treasure Forest Elementary, 7635 Amelia Road. Aaron Dominguez has been named principal at this school. He has 14 years in education including seven years in Houston ISD where he was an elementary school principal and dean of students in a middle school.
• Landrum Middle, 2200 Ridgecrest. Steven Speyrer, who served as associate principal at both Ridgecrest Elementary and Landrum Middle schools, is the new principal. He has 20 years in public education service.
• Northbrook Middle, 3030 Rosefield. Sarah Guerrero has been named as new principal at this school. She has served eight years in Houston ISD as middle school teacher, assistant principal and principal.
• Spring Woods Middle, 9810 Neuens. Deborah Silber is new principal here. She has 17 years of teaching and administrative experience in both SBISD and Houston ISD. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Spring Woods High School.
• Stratford High School, 14555 Fern. Robert “Danny” Gex was named earlier this year as the new high school principal. He has 24 years in education and 12 years in Spring Branch ISD as a teacher and coach, or assistant principal and associated principal.
• Spring Branch Academy of Choice/Cornerstone Academy, East Transition Campus, 8655 Emnora. Jill Wright has 27 years of experience in SBISD. She has led Cornerstone Academy, the district charter middle school, since its opening, and will now also lead this alternative high school program. Both of the campuses are based at Spring Branch Education Center (SBEC), located in the 9000 block of Westview, now under renovation.
• DAEP (Disciplinary Alternative Education Program), 9000 Westview. Kedrick Lookadoo has been named new director here. He has 13 years of experience in a variety of education positions in Cypress Fairbanks ISD.

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