Left to right: Northbrook Middle School Principal Sarah Guerrero and Pine Shadows Elementary Principal Chris Winstead |
The two 2018 principal recognitions were revealed during a surprise visit by Superintendent of Schools Scott R. Muri, Ed.D., to a special leadership and school redesign planning meeting held Feb. 21.
The principals will be honored soon during both regional and district events, including SBISD’s annual Service Awards Celebration on April 24. Teacher of the Year finalists will also be named soon, and a pair of top teachers will be named at the upcoming Service Awards event.
SBISD Principals of the Year are selected by their principal peers based on the following criteria:
- Concern for all staff and students and the ability to inspire both of these groups
- Ability and willingness to work cooperatively with all staff and administrators
- Proven drive to initiate and implement effective strategies supporting continuous improvement in student performance
- Ability to work with diverse community groups and all district stakeholders
- Proven desire for continuous personal and professional growth
- Ability and willingness to make meaningful contributions to education
- Chris Winstead, Pine Shadows Elementary School
“All of our school, staff and community supports Pine Shadows. I am truly blessed and humbled to receive this award.”
Dr. Muri, in his surprise appearance, said that he had to apologize because the flowers he brought did not “sparkle” enough, a reference to the glittery, positive message T-shirts often worn by the principal and her staff.
“I have renamed her school,” he joked. “It is no longer Pine Shadows. It is now Pine Sparkles Elementary. If you have seen the T-shirts that Chris and her team wear, they always have some kind of bling. It is an honor today to present you with these flowers and to say, ‘Well done!’”
Pine Shadows leader since 2015, Principal Winstead has more than four decades of teaching and administrative experience. In addition to a public education record of service, she has taught at private schools and at area universities and community colleges.
Before being named Pine Shadows principal, she served three years there as assistant principal. For more than two decades, she was a teacher and a principal in Spring ISD. She also served as an adjunct professor at Lone Star College’s Tomball and University Park campuses, and was employed by Texas A&M/Sam Houston State Universities as a supervisor.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Ill, and later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
The Pine Shadows students, staff and community have a passion for living and learning, which keeps her engaged and energized.
“I can’t wait to get to school each morning,” she has said, “to see what our students are learning in their classrooms and to see staff so engaged. We are supported, encouraged and assisted in educating our students by so many families and neighborhood partnerships.”
Principal Winstead has adult grandchildren who live in Georgia and closer to her in Cypress, she has several younger, school-age grandchildren.
SBISD Secondary Principal of the Year
- Sarah Guerrero, Northbrook Middle School
“It’s totally an honor to be selected. I know this award is something that my peers voted on. I love being a part of this district. I love my school and our school community. I have one amazing team, and I work with an amazing group of principals. It’s just such a huge honor!”
In his surprise remarks, Superintendent Muri thanked her for “serving our kids, and for doing a great job.”
Northbrook Middle principal since 2015, Principal Guerrero now has more than a decade of public education service, including years in Houston ISD as a middle school teacher, assistant principal and principal.
She taught math for four years at HISD’s Patrick Henry Middle School, was an assistant principal there for two years, and then was principal for several years before joining SBISD.
Principal Guerrero earned twin bachelor of science degrees in physics and Spanish from Azusa Pacific College in Azusa, Calif. She holds a master of education degree from the University of St. Thomas, but has also received a Rice University MBA, or master of business administration degree.
She is also a graduate of the Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program, or REEP, which is designed for area educators.
Northbrook Middle, in several ways, has been focal point for innovation and change in SBISD. The campus is a co-partner with YES Prep at Northbrook Middle in the SKY Partnership, which supports the public and public charter middle programs inside the same school building.
“I love working with my team to personalize learning for every child at Northbrook Middle,” she said. “It’s exciting to be part of a district that recognizes the individual needs of each student and empowers campus leaders and teachers to be creative and innovative to better meet the needs of each student. At Northbrook Middle School, we have an amazing team that is truly committed to be better every day. It’s important, hard and joy-filled work.”
Outside Northbrook, Principal Guerrero enjoys great food experiences and likes to be active. She also loves spending time with her family and friends, including a soon-to-be new child.
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