CCISD hires both new and familiar faces to be assistant principals

By BRITTANY FHOLER

Cove Leader-Press

Some of the district’s new Assistant Principals were revealed during the Copperas Cove Independent School District’s board of trustees meeting earlier this month.

Several positions have been filled by new faces, and familiar faces within the district.

CCISD Superintendent Dr. Joseph Burns shared a message of appreciation to each of the assistant principals.

“We’re excited about the new hires that are out there, and especially excited about the opportunity for our folks that work within this district and demonstrated great proficiency and effectiveness to be able to promote up into these positions, so we’re excited about the opportunities that have been provided to them,” Burns said. “And, we’re always excited about the folks that come from outside the district and bring us a different perspective, a new look, some different ideas. We are excited about this coming year.”

Principals from the different campuses proudly introduced their new assistant principals to the board and audience, starting with Clements/Parsons Elementary’s Principal Jennifer Maples who announced her two assistant principals.

Edleen Aguilera-Nwachuku is one of the new assistant principals for Clements Parsons. She earned her bachelor's degree in education at the University of Phoenix and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Texas A&M University- Central Texas. She has 14 years of experience in education. She taught at San Elizario Independent School District prior to starting with Copperas Cove ISD in August 2019. She was an intern last year. Maples described Aguilera-Nwachuku as a “phenomenal asset” to the campus, especially being a bilingual speaker at this bilingual campus.

The other new assistant principal at Clements Parsons Elementary School is Kyle Black. Black earned his master's degree from Lamar University. He has 18 years of experience in education and last taught at Lampasas ISD. Black’s experience is with P.E. and upper grades, but Maples said she was excited to see what he will do with the younger elementary kids.

Copperas Cove Junior High welcomes back assistant principal, Kelly Thompson, who joined during the spring semester of 2022.

New to the campus this school year is Jim Clow, the school’s other assistant principal. Clow comes from Peoria Unified School District (Illinois) where he was an assistant principal and prior to that was a secondary math teacher. Clow has at least 14 years of experience in education. He earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and his master's degree from Northern Arizona University.

Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy Principal Leah Miller said that her campus was excited to have Heather Peacock back as the assistant principal. Peacock had previously been the A.P. for Williams/Ledger Elementary School, and also served as the district’s military student transition consultant and the Department of Defense Education Activity Grant Program grant director. She earned her bachelor's degree from University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with another master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

Williams/Ledger Elementary’s newest assistant principal is Bridget Moore, who was hired initially as an interventionist for math on the campus in February, according to Principal Tracie Phillips.

Copperas Cove High School’s newest assistant principal is Lonnie McKinney. McKinney has 18 years of experience in education and comes from Belton ISD, where he was an instructional coach. He also taught for 16 years at Killeen ISD. McKinney earned his bachelor's degree from Baylor University and his master's degree from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

Mark Sheppard is the new Assistant Principal at S.C. Lee Junior High. Sheppard earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Financial Management Services from University of Phoenix and Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Sheppard has nine years of experience in education. He taught at S.C. Lee and was a nominee for the 2022 CCISD Teacher of the Year.

At House Creek Elementary School, Denisa Temples is the newest assistant principal. Temples has 27 years of experience in education. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas and her master's degree from the University of North Texas. She was employed by CCISD from 2012 to 2018 before joining Killeen ISD from 2018 to 2022.

Also at House Creek Elementary is Carolyn Jackson. Jackson has 24 years of experience in education. She earned her bachelor's degree from the College at Brockport, State University of New York and her master's degree from Western Governors University. She had been with CCISD as an instructional coach since 2019.

Fairview/Jewell Elementary’s newest assistant principal is Vanessa Vazquez. Vazquez has eight years of experience in education. She previously worked as a teacher at House Creek Elementary. She earned her master’s degree from Schreiner University.

Dr. Tonya Sweeney is the assistant principal at Hettie Halstead Elementary School. She has 19 years of experience in education, all with Copperas Cove ISD. She earned her bachelor's degree from Tarleton State University-Central Texas and her master's degree from Capella University and her Doctor of Philosophy from Capella University as well.