Four Prairie View A&M University Alumni Named New Principals with the Houston Independent School District
Marques Collins named new principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School
Marques Collins (not photographed) has been selected as the new principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School. Collins started his 20-year career in HISD as a sixth-grade self-contained teacher for the Male Initiative Program at Kennedy Elementary School. He has served as the assistant principal of Kashmere Gardens Elementary School for the past 2 years and has been instrumental in significantly improving student outcomes. Collins earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Education with a minor in Social Work from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.
Connie Smith named new principal of North Forest High School
Connie Smith has been selected as the new principal of North Forest High School. Smith has 20 years of experience in education and has served as a teacher, content specialist, teacher coordinator, dean of instruction, and elementary and middle school principal. In 2017, Smith’s leadership at Thomas Middle School earned the campus four distinctions in mathematics, social studies, student progress, and postsecondary readiness. Smith is an Army veteran and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Dillard University and a Master of Education in mid-management from Prairie View A&M University.
Reginald Bush named new principal of Kashmere High School
Reginald Bush has been selected as the new principal of Kashmere High School. Bush began his career in HISD as a seventh- and eighth-grade Social Studies teacher at Williams Middle School. He later served as assistant principal and 21st-century afterschool coordinator in collaboration with the Acres Homes Coalition. Bush previously served as assistant principal at Burrus Elementary School and has served as the principal at Kashmere Gardens Elementary for the last three years, leading the campus from IR to Met Standard status. He is a graduate of Delta State University Cleveland, where he earned his bachelor’s in Political Science and a master’s in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.
Erika Kimble named new principal of Hilliard Elementary School
Erika Kimble has been selected as the new principal of Hilliard Elementary School. Kimble began her career in education as a teacher and teacher specialist at Bonham Elementary School. In 2013, she joined Shadydale Elementary School, where she served as a teacher specialist and assistant principal. Most recently, Kimble has served as the principal of Henderson Elementary School. Kimble earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas and completed graduate studies in Special Education at Prairie View A&M University and Educational Administration and Supervision at the University of Houston.