John Baker, Principal at Helms Elementary School
John Baker began his career as a bilingual teacher in Austin ISD. In HISD, he taught at Harvard
Elementary, served as an Assistant Principal at Oak Forest Elementary, and as Principal at
Browning, Mark Twain, and Davila Elementary. Working with the teachers and communities, he
led Browning and Mark Twain to Exemplary status and as part of the Apollo program, led
Davila Elementary to the highest ratings under the new state accountability system in 2013. He is
returning to the district from Austin ISD.
Mr. Baker completed his undergraduate degree in History at the University of Texas at Austin
and his master’s degree in Instructional Technology at the University of Houston.
Erin Smith, Principal at Blackshear Elementary School
Ms. Erin K. Smith began her educational career in Detroit Michigan in private schools. She then
moved to Houston where she taught middle school in Pasadena ISD. She joined team HISD in
1999 at Yates High School as an Assistant Principal and has worked at Cullen Middle School
and Wilson Montessori. Currently, Ms. Smith serves as principal of Dodson Montessori School.
Ms. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University in
Michigan. She earned a master’s degree in Education Mid-Management from the University of
Houston Clear Lake and is currently working in the doctoral program at Walden University.
Dave Wheat, Principal at The School at St. George Place
Dave Wheat has been selected to serve as the next principal of The School at St. George Place.
He began his career in education as an English teacher in Deer Park ISD. In HISD, Mr. Wheat
taught at Sharpstown Middle School and served as an assistant principal at both Westside High
School and Hamilton Middle School before being named principal of Johnston Middle School in
2006. Using a collaborative approach with students, teachers, parents, and the community, Dave
led Johnston to its first TEA Recognized rating in school history. The very next year, he led the
Johnston school community to its first TEA Exemplary rating in school history. The crowning
achievement for the Johnston school community under Dave's leadership was being awarded the
national Blue Ribbon Award in 2010, the most prestigious honor an American school can
receive.
Mr. Wheat completed both his undergraduate degree in English and his master’s degree in
Administration and Supervision at the University of Houston.
Jonathan Trinh, Principal at Lee High School
Jonathan Trinh has been selected as the next principal of Lee High School. Mr. Trinh arrived in
Houston as a twelve year old immigrant from Vietnam. During his first year in America, he
attended school in HISD. He brings nineteen years of experience and knowledge as a
successful teacher, science curriculum and instructional specialist, and most recently
Dean/Associate Principal at our Young Men’s Preparatory Academy.
Mr. Trinh has won numerous awards for excellence in teaching; including the Exxon Science
Teacher of the Year Award, MIT’s Inspirational Teacher Award, and the Texas Math and
Science Coaches Association’s Number Sense Coach of the Year Award. He has coached UIL
Math and Science State Championship Teams five different years from 1995 through 2009.
Jonathan attended Texas Southern University on an academic scholarship and graduated with
a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology—earning Dean’s List Honors. He earned his Master’s in School
Administration is from Lamar University.
Michele Dahlquist, Principal at Walnut Bend Elementary School
Ms. Michele Dahlquist has been selected to serve as the next principal at Walnut Bend
Elementary School. She has 21 years of teaching experience at the elementary and middle
school levels in both Arkansas and Virginia. While serving in general education classrooms and
gifted programs, Mrs. Dahlquist received honors for her instruction including district Teacher of
the Year. In 2005, she received a $25,000 award as the elementary recipient of the McGlothlin
Award for Teaching Excellence. In addition, she earned advanced teaching credentials from the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in two different certification areas. Mrs.
Dahlquist has 10 years of experience in school administration. She served as a district
Coordinator of Gifted Programs in Virginia, and has worked 7 years in HISD campus level
administrative positions. While working in Virginia, Mrs. Dahlquist served as adjunct faculty for
the University Of Virginia Curry School Of Education under Carol Ann Tomlinson in the field of
gifted education and classroom differentiation.
Mrs. Dahlquist holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Lyon College in Arkansas. She has
done extensive graduate work in the fields of gifted education and curriculum and instruction,
and earned her M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Leadership from Lamar University in
Beaumont.
Stephen Linkous, Principal at Hartman Middle School
Mr. Stephen Linkous has been selected as the person who will succeed Mr. Geovanny Ponce
as the principal of Hartman Middle School. Mr. Ponce is assuming the principalship at Jones
High School at the end of the current school year after two years of strong leadership of
Hartman. Mr. Linkous is currently serving as the principal of Kepner Middle School in Denver,
Colorado. Mr. Linkous began his educational career in 19 years ago, first as an English as a
Second Language and Social Studies teacher, football/track coach, Dean of students before
moving into administration.
Mr. Linkous holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Park College. He earned a master’s
degree in education from the University of Denver.