Samuell passes the baton to school's first ever female principal

W.W. Samuell High School will welcome its first ever female principal this school year.

Samuell High School has not had a female principal since its doors opened in the 1950s. A baton passing ceremony took place to commemorate the historic moment. John Vega, who previously served as Samuell principal for four years before becoming executive director of the L.G. Pinkston feeder pattern, and Israel Cordero, who served as principal before Vega and is now Dallas ISD Deputy Chief of School Leadership, handed off the baton to Jennifer Tecklenburg, who will begin her term as principal this year.

“It is an incredible honor to be the first female principal of Samuell,” Tecklenburg said. “The Samuell faculty, staff, and leadership team are all focused on ensuring we are the premier comprehensive high school in Dallas ISD, and my mission is to give them the support and leadership they need and deserve in order to make that vision a reality. I believe 100 percent in our community of Pleasant Grove, our students and our families, and I know that Samuell is on the move!”

The baton will be engraved with the names and years of service of the two previous principals, as well Tecklenburg’s.