Category Archives: Human Resources

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BISD Announces Two New Principals

At a special meeting on Tuesday, June 15, Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees announced the appointments of Charlie Ann Lokey as principal of O.H. Stowe Elementary, and Kristi T. Strickland, Ph.D., as principal of Haltom High School. Lokey is replacing Dr. Nathan Frymark, who was named principal of Green Valley Elementary. Strickland is replacing Dr. Dion Varnado, who has accepted another position in the District. 

Charlie Lokey

Charlie Ann Lokey has been curriculum coordinator at Lake Dallas ISD since 2020. She also was an assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Lake Dallas Middle School from 2017–20, and an instructional coach and campus testing coordinator at Shady Shores Elementary from 2015–17. Her teaching experience from 2007–15 includes math and teen leadership, math intervention specialist, and English/Language Arts. 

Outside of school, Lokey currently serves as a youth sports coach with the Lake Cities Youth Sports Organization.  

She earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and master’s degree from Lamar University. 

K. Strickland

Kristi T. Strickland, Ph.D., has been the principal at Lake Dallas High School in Lake Dallas ISD since 2010. During her tenure at Lake Dallas High, she was named the Texas High School Principal of the Year in 2016 by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. 

In addition to her leadership of Lake Dallas High School, Strickland also served as an instructor at the University of North Texas (UNT) and as adjunct instructor at North Central Texas College in Denton. She serves on the advisory board of the Texas Association of Math & Science at UNT.   

Prior to Lake Dallas, she was an associate principal at Ryan High School in Denton ISD from 2001–10, and a classroom teacher at Ryan High School in Denton ISD from 1996–2001. 

A native of Haltom City, Strickland attended South Birdville Elementary (currently, Major Cheney Elementary at South Birdville) and Haltom Junior High School (currently, Haltom Middle School). 

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tarleton State University and doctorate degree from the University of North Texas. 

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BISD Announces Smith Elementary Principal

Amanda Holman

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointment of Amanda Holman as principal of David E. Smith Elementary. She is replacing Jennifer Martin who was named BISD principal at Watauga Elementary on Thursday, April 8.  

Holman has been assistant principal of David E. Smith Elementary since August 2018. Prior to joining Smith Elementary, she was an elementary math academic coach for BISD from 2017–18, and a math interventionist at Walker Creek and North Ridge elementary schools from 2014–17. Holman was a fifth- and third-grade teacher at Walker Creek and Hardeman elementary schools respectively from 2010–14.  

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Woman’s University. 

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BISD Announces Watauga Elementary Principal

Jennifer Martin

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointment of Jennifer Martin as principal of Watauga Elementary. She is replacing Sarah Upchurch who was named BISD’s Coordinator of Professional Learning on Thursday, March 25. 

Martin has been principal of David E. Smith Elementary since July 2017. Prior to joining Smith Elementary, she was assistant principal at West Birdville Elementary from  

2013–17 and was a math interventionist at West Birdville from 2010–13. Martin was a second- and third-grade teacher at Foster Village Elementary from 2005–10. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and master’s degrees from Texas Christian University and Dallas Baptist University. 

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BISD Announces MTSS Coordinator

Kerri Sands

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced Kerri Sands’ appointment as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Coordinator. Sands has been principal at Richland Elementary since 2015.   

The MTSS Coordinator will help develop and implement a consistent multi-tiered support model of tiered intervention processes and procedures across the District and ensure that the District’s MTSS program complies with state requirements. Tiered interventions are for students who struggle with reading and math. As MTSS Coordinator, Sands will be working with all levels, as well as other District staff, to assist with planning and providing support for summer school programs.   

Sands will begin her new position on July 1, 2021. 

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Birdville ISD Announces New Hires for 2020-21 School Year

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointments of four principals and the director of special education at the April 16 Board meeting.

BarlettDonald Bartlett was named principal of Jack C. Binion Elementary. He is replacing Hilda Hager, who has recently accepted a position at Central Administration.

Bartlett has been the assistant director of athletics in Keller ISD since 2018. Prior to 2018, he was principal at Timber Creek High School in Keller ISD from 2016–18 and principal at South Grand Prairie 9th Grade Center in Grand Prairie ISD from 2013–16. He has served in various other education positions at the elementary and secondary levels since 1999.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University.  

Jim Calvin, Ed.D., was named principal of Green Valley Elementary. He is replacing Dawn Demas, who is retiring at the end of the 2019–20 school year. 

Calvin has been the principal at REALM Secondary School in Burleson ISD since 2019. Prior to Burleson, he was principal of STEAM Academy at Stribling Elementary in Burleson ISD from 2015–19,  elementary principal of Fort Worth Christian School from 2011–14, and principal at Grapevine Elementary from 2002–11. He has served in various other education positions since 1989.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Texas Christian University.

conklin

Shane Conklin, Ed.D., was named principal of Major Cheney Elementary. He is replacing Darrell Brown, who is leaving the District at the end of the 2019–20 school year.

Conklin has been assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Decatur ISD since 2018. Prior to Decatur, he was director of student and staff services in Coppell ISD from 2016–18, director of human resources in Granbury ISD from 2015–16, director of secondary education and leadership in White Settlement ISD from 2013–15. He has served in various other education positions since 1999.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, his master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, and doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

Merritt Dobecka, was named principal of Mullendore Elementary. She is replacing Billy Pope, who is retiring at the end of the 2019–20 school year. 

Dobecka has been the assistant principal and campus behavior coordinator at Walker Creek Elementary since 2017. Prior to Walker Creek, she was an advanced academic interventionist in BISD from 2014–17, and curriculum specialist gifted and talented in Northwest ISD from  2013–14. She has also served in other administrative and teaching positions since 1993.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and master’s degree from the University of North Texas.

Tamera Diller, was named director of special education. She is replacing Laura Holt, who retired from the District in January. 

Diller has been senior director of special education in Beaumont ISD since 2016. Prior to Beaumont, she was director of special education in Marlin ISD from
2014–16, itinerant deaf education teacher in Dallas ISD from 2013–14, special education teacher in Lewisville ISD from 1998–2013, and a special education teacher in Dallas ISD from 1997–98.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University and Dallas Baptist University.

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Haltom High School Principal Announced

E. Dion Varnado, Ed.D.

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointment of E. Dion Varnado, Ed.D., as principal of Haltom High School. He is replacing David Hamilton, who accepted a position with the Region 12 Education Service Center in Waco. 

Varnado has been principal at M.L. King Middle School with Beaumont ISD since 2016. Prior to Beaumont, he was an assistant principal at Lancaster High School with Lancaster ISD from 2013–16, principal at Barnett Junior High with Arlington ISD from 2010–13, and academic associate principal at Mansfield High School with Mansfield ISD from 2008–10. He has been in various other administrative and teaching positions since 1999. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, master’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, and doctorate degree from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.