Austin ISD has hired five new elementary school principals to its leadership team. New principals at Andrews, Bryker Woods, T.A. Brown, Patton and Pillow elementary schools are set to begin on July 1.
Andrews Elementary School
Audrey Guerrero will be returning to Austin ISD to serve as the principal of Andrews Elementary.
A former Pickle Elementary School bilingual teacher, dual language interventionist, and assistant principal, Guerrero currently serves as an elementary principal in Lakewood, Colorado. Guerrero is recognized for her strengths as a relationship builder and instructional leader. A former recipient of The University of Texas Collaborative Urban Leadership Project Scholarship, Guerrero holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Purdue University and a Master in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at Austin.
T.A. Brown Elementary
Bobbie Ortiz-Rodriguiz will serve as principal at T.A. Brown Elementary School.
Ortiz-Rodriguez recently served as an administrative supervisor and assistant principal at Campbell Elementary School. During her eight years as assistant principal, Ortiz-Rodriguez also served as the principal at the English Language Learners Summer School. She brings experience in grants administration and as a kindergarten through fifth-grade curriculum specialist from Judson ISD and has served seven years as a classroom teacher. She holds a Master of Education degree from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and principal certification from Texas State University.
"It's a responsibility that I don't take lightly because future generations depend on me getting it right,” Ortiz-Rodriguez said.
Bryker Woods Elementary
Taylor Cowan has been appointed as the principal of Bryker Woods Elementary School.
Cowan currently serves as the assistant principal of Highland Park Elementary. He previously served as a third and fourth-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary, prior to that he was an early childhood teacher, lead pre-K teacher and Teacher of the Year in Pflugerville ISD. Cowan earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Texas State University.
“I am greatly honored to be partnering with the Bryker Woods community,” Cowan said. “The school staff and families have been incredibly welcoming. I look forward to building strong relationships as we move forward together.”
Patton Elementary
Christine Snowden has been selected as principal at Patton Elementary School.
Snowden has served as an assistant principal at Cowan Elementary for the past four years. Before her work as an administrator, she served as a campus counselor for both Blazier and Cowan elementary schools. Snowden brings 10 years of teaching experience at the elementary, middle and university levels, and teacher training experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Hardin-Simmons University and a Master of Arts from the University of North Texas.
"I'm very excited to begin serving the James Andrew Patton community and can't wait to begin an amazing school year,” Snowden said. “I look forward to connecting with the Patton family very soon."
Pillow Elementary
Dinorah De La Torre will serve as principal at Pillow Elementary School.
De La Torre has been a part of the Austin ISD family for the past 11 years and has served most recently as assistant principal at Travis Heights Elementary. De La Torre has also been a bilingual language arts specialist, bilingual teacher, peer coach, core content lead teacher and language arts instructional coach at Walnut Creek and Reilly elementary schools. Recipient of the Martha N. Ovando Student Leadership Award for The University of Texas at Austin, De La Torre holds a Bachelor in Bilingual Education and a Master in Educational Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.
"Austin ISD has been home for me, so I am very excited to continue being a part of the district that has shaped who I am as an educator as Principal of Dorinda Josephine Pillow Elementary,” De La Torre said. “My Pillow community has been very welcoming and warm. I look forward to serving and growing alongside my community."
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