Dallas ISD principals awarded Master Principals designation

Dallas ISD is celebrating its new Masters Principals.

For the 2024-2025 school year, 20 principals from across the district were awarded the Master Principal designation, which is given to the top 10% of principals in elementary, secondary, and choice schools.

This year’s Master Principals represent a wealth of experience and diversity across the district. 

In order to be considered for this designation, principals must have at least three years of service as a leader of a school. Criteria is also based on individual and campus performance. 

The full list of Master Principals is below:

• Stephanie Amaya, W. H. Adamson High School
• Oscar Aponte, Maple Lawn Elementary School
• Demetria Bell-Ellis, Ronald Erwin McNair Elementary School
• Vivian Chandler Fairley, Emmett J. Conrad High School
• Ida Escobedo, Margaret B. Henderson Elementary School
• Sandra Espinoza, Felix G. Botello Elementary School
• Ana Fernandez, Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School
• Alpher Garrett-Jones, Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center 
• Nikki Hudson, L.V. Stockard Middle School
• Darwin Hughes, T.W. Browne Middle School
• Ben Jones, Thomas Jefferson High School 
• David Lee, for his Leadership at Hector P. Garcia Middle School in 2023-2024
• Marissa Limon, Dan D. Rogers Elementary School
• Lakisha Merritt, Martin Weiss Elementary School
• Kimberly Richardson, Thomas L Marsalis Elementary STEAM Academy 
• Lonnie Russell, for his Leadership at Rufus C. Burleson Elementary in 2023-2024
• Rubinna Sanchez, Young Women’s Steam Academy at Balch Springs Middle School
• Tameka Whitney, Dallas Environmental Science Academy
• Caroline Wilson, James Bowie Elementary School
• Arnoldo Zuñiga, School for Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center 

There will be a Master Principal Celebration on Feb. 4, 2025, and these principals will receive an $8,000 stipend in the 2025-2026 school year.