Special to the News: Dr. Sandy Conklin, Area Executive Director of Campus Leadership
GCCISD was one of 17 districts across the state to receive the 2023 Principal Residency Grant. The grant allows for up to 10 candidates to serve as a principal resident under the mentorship of a successful principal, while they complete their master’s coursework in Educational Management with Principal Certification through the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
The purpose of the Principal Residency Program is to provide districts with a viable pipeline of effective future campus leaders.
The intended outcome of the program is that principal residents are being prepared to be “day 1 ready.” This includes:
Candidates were selected based on a record of success in raising student performance; evaluations that reflect highly successful practitioners; have and have proven to be an advocate for learning. Candidates completed an application, and those selected went through a screening and interview process that also included a favorable recommendation from their campus principal.
The 10 candidates include: Molly Johnson, Jaylene Lemus, Tara Fountain, Michelle Solomonsz, Curiosity Hunter, Ian Owens, Marlene Ochoa, Sylvia Hernandez, Nancy Vega and Tina Pequeño.
Residents will engage in job-embedded experiences while being mentored by an experienced and successful principal. The grant is worth $750,000 and assists in covering salary and tuition for the full-time residency program. The program will begin Fall 2023.