RECENTLY ASSIGNED
HISD SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
We are pleased to announce the following new principals for Cook, Hartsfield, Mading and Clemente
Martínez elementary schools and Key Middle School.
Cook Elementary School—Principal Angel Kirby
Ms. Angel Kirby, a product of HISD, graduated from Madison High School. She is currently serving as an
Assistant Principal at Braeburn Elementary. In addition to serving the district as an Assistant Principal,
Ms. Kirby has served in various other leadership positions across elementary and secondary levels
including Instructional Coordinator, Dean of Students and Dean of Instruction. Her instructional
knowledge, passion for the fine arts, and her keen leadership skills are the tools Cook Elementary needs
to ensure that all students are on their path to postsecondary readiness.
Ms. Kirby earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Prairie View A&M and her Master’s degree in
Educational Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Hartsfield Elementary School—Principal Alecia Bell
Ms. Alecia Bell started her career with Team HISD in 2003 as a reading teacher at Cullen Middle School.
In 2008, she left the classroom to complete an internship at Hartman Middle School via the inaugural
cohort of Houston A+ Regional Principal Leadership Academy. After working as principal intern at
Hartman, she continued on with the Hartman family as the Dean of Instruction. Alecia strengthened her
ability as an instructional leader by serving as Dean of Students at Johnston Middle School and Assistant
Principal in charge of the magnet program at Jack Yates Senior High School.
Ms. Bell earned her Bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University in Industrial Engineering
Technology with a minor in Computer Science. Alecia holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and
Administration from Capella University.
Mading Elementary School—Principal Lawrence Williams
Mr. Lawrence Williams began his career in HISD as an elementary teacher in 2004. He has served as an
instructional coordinator. Most recently (the last two years), he served as the assistant principal at Garcia
Elementary School.
Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston and his Master’s in
Education from Texas Southern University. He is currently working on his Doctoral degree in educational
leadership from Texas Southern University.
Clemente Martínez Elementary School—Principal Daniel Hernandez
Mr. Daniel Hernandez is a long-standing product and graduate of HISD having proudly served in the roles
of teacher aide, teacher and assistant principal. Mr. Hernandez was selected and completed his principal
internship with HISD through our partnership with Houston A+. This year, he served as the Dean of
Students at Fleming Middle School.
Mr. Hernandez graduated from The University of Houston Downtown with his Bachelor's degree in
Interdisciplinary Studies and his Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In addition, he earned his
principal certification at Region IV.
Key Middle School—Principal Jeannine M. Porter
Ms. Jeannine M. Porter started her career as a 9–12 English Teacher and Varsity Head Girls’ Track and
Field Coach in Hallsville High School. She then left to become a teaching assistant at Texas Southern
University. A position of Dean of Students and Magnet Coordinator at Sharpstown High School brought
Jeannine to HISD. Since 2012, Ms. Porter has served as principal of Ryan Middle School.
Ms. Porter earned a Bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University double majoring in RadioTelevision and Speech. Jeannine earned a Master of Arts and Science in Mass Communication from
Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Education from Texas A&M University in Texarkana,
Texas.
Memorial Elementary School—Principal Mechiel Rozas
In 2003 Ms. Mechiel Rozas worked alongside area principals as an Early Childhood Coordinator before
opening Gabriela Mistral, Center for Early Childhood in 2004. She has continued to strengthen her ability
as an instructional leader by serving as the Assistant Director over the Upper School at Westchester
Academy for International Studies in Spring Branch ISD.
Ms. Rozas earned her Bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Bilingual Elementary
Education with a minor in Spanish. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a
specialization in Instructional Technology and a certification in Educational Administration from Houston
Baptist University.
Roosevelt Elementary School—Principal Yolanda Rodriguez
Ms. Yolanda Rodriguez has been part of Team HISD for 19 years. She has served for the last three as
Principal of De Zavala Elementary, earning Exemplary status in 2011, TBEC Honor Roll in 2011 and
recognized by the National Center for Educational Achievement in 2011. Before becoming a principal,
Yolanda learned effective leadership skills during her internship with HISD’s API program at Scarborough
High School. She began her teaching career at Roosevelt and taught 2 nd–5th grades in both a bilingual
and Vanguard program over the course of ten years. Her master teaching skills led to her being named
the school’s Instructional Coordinator for 3 years and Assistant Principal for 2 years.
Ms. Rodriguez earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Houston and is a
proud HISD product who graduated from Davis High School.