New WO-C Administrative /Campus Leaders will support District transformation

Many new Directors, Principals, and Coordinators will welcome students and their families for the 2011-2012 West Orange – Cove CISD academic school year as a result of increased instructional support at the central office and campus level.

“The District has experienced a great amount of change in a short amount of time. One of our major goals through these events has been to be stronger and to strengthen our leadership teams,” Superintendent James Colbert said.

 “We have spent a tremendous amount of time searching for individuals who can lead our transformation as we strive to become an academically recognized -- and then exemplary --school district. This team will provide exceptional service to our students. They are intrinsically motivated to assist our district in achieving our goals and vision,” he said.

Dr. Silvia Martinez is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.  Most recently, she served as a Principal in the Dallas School District.  She has administrative experience at urban and at suburban schools and holds Doctorate and Master’s Degrees in Educational Administration. She also has Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Spanish.   

“I am so excited that Dr. Martinez is a part of the Executive Leadership Team, she brings administrative experience from the elementary, middle school, and high school level. She is well versed in all levels of curriculum. We are already seeing the beneficial impact of her work in her short time with the District,” Colbert said.

Anitrea Goodwin, previously the WOCCISD Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Initiatives, is the Executive Director of Human Resources. Goodwin has a strong background with the District in administrative leadership, having previously served as Principal at West Orange – Stark Middle School and Assistant Principal at Anderson Elementary.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts and Science.

“Mrs. Goodwin’s experience with the School District at various levels, especially as a Principal, makes her well qualified to lead Human Resources. I look forward to her continuing to bring talent to our school district,” Colbert said.

Dr. Wayne Guidry will serve as the Director of Federal Programs, Testing, & Accountability. He most recently served as a Principal in the Hamshire-Fannett School District at a campus with Gold Performance Acknowledgements in writing, mathematics, and science. His Doctorate Degree is in Educational Leadership with concentrations in Effective Schooling, Diversity/Multiculturism and Higher Education. His Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees are in Educational Leadership and History, respectively.

“Dr. Guidry is a very experienced Principal of a recognized campus who is extremely passionate about educating young people. I believe that he will be a tremendous asset in supervising our federal programs while also keeping us in compliance with state and federal guidelines. He will also help us analyze our academic data to help improve student performance,” Colbert said.

Dr. Brant Graham is the District’s Director of Special Education. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership, with additional degrees in Environmental Studies and Biology. He most recently was an administrator within the Beaumont School System.

Colbert said, “Dr. Graham has extensive experience when dealing with all levels of accountability and regulations. I am confident that his skill set will be of great assistance in serving our special education population while ensuring that we are in compliance with state and federal expectations.”

West Orange – Stark High School Football Coach and Alternative Education Program (AEP) instructor Cornel Thompson is now the WOCCISD Athletic Director/Head Football Coach.  As Defensive Coordinator of the Mustangs, Thompson has played an integral role in building the winning traditions associated with the WO-S High School varsity football team. Thompson has been an educator for 35 years and holds a Master’s Degree in Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education.

“I am excited about Coach Thompson taking on this position. In the short time that I have known him, I have been very impressed with his thoroughness, his attention to detail, and his high expectations for all adults who come into contact with our student athletes. I am extremely confident that he will not only maintain the values and traditions that are embedded in our program; but that he will continue to help our athletic programs move to the next level,” Colbert said.

Rod Anderson, most recently an administrator at WO-S High School, will serve as the Head of the District’s new grade six to 12 alternative education program, the West Orange – Stark Academic Alternative Center (AAC).  Anderson also has experience as an administrator in the Texas Youth Commission school system. He has a Master’s Degree in Administration and Special Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Technology.

“Mr. Anderson has a skill set that brings tremendous value to alternative education. He has a philosophy that is very similar to mine in that the alternative school is not a place to punish students, but a place to regroup and restructure so that students can return to their regular environment,” Colbert said.

The AAC is located at the former Anderson Elementary campus and will open on the first day of school of the 2011-2012 school year. It will serve students who are removed from their main campus because of discipline issues.

“I am confident that our AAC will be a tremendous asset for our reluctant learners and assist them in graduating,” Colbert said.

            Other leadership changes include:    

	Anthony Moten will be the Principal at West Orange – Stark Middle School. Moten has served as an administrator at several schools. Most recently, he served at Esperanza “HOPE” Elementary School with Dallas ISD. He has a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education.
	Shannon Larson will be Principal at North Early Learning Center.  He has worked in the Vidor and Beaumont School Districts. Most recently he was an administrator at Vidor High School.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Development from Lamar University.  His Bachelor’s Degree is in Spanish.
	Rachel Stephens will serve as the WOCCISD Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Coordinator. In this new district position, Stephens will work closely with campus and central administration staff in all areas associated with monitoring, preparing, and training for required state submissions. Stephens is a graduate of California State University. Most recently, she was the District’s Community Liaison.
	Paul Thomas III, a 2001 Graduate of West Orange – Stark High School, is the District’s Community Liaison. Thomas holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Sciences from Tennessee State University. He recently worked for Tennessee’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  As the District’s liaison, he will be working in the community with students and their families to improve school attendance.
	Jascelyn Tatum is the Coordinator of the 21st Afterschool Centers on Education program.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Juvenile Forensic Psychology from Prairie View A & M.  Her experience includes counseling and work with at-risk students in community youth programs.
Anya Miller will serve as Assistant Principal at WO-S Middle School. Most recently she served as an Academic/Graduation Coach at LaGrange High School. She has also worked in High Schools in Dallas. She has been an educator since 2003. She holds a Master’s Degree in Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in French Education.