It’s all about the APs

National Assistant Principal Week is April 7 to 11, and Dallas ISD is ready to celebrate leaders who make a difference every day. These dedicated leaders are the boots on the ground at schools and prioritize student success and empower teachers..

On April 7, assistant principals will be awarded an Assistant Principal Award of Distinction for exceptional dedication and achievements within the various regional vertical teams. Educators who receive the award have demonstrated collaboration and innovation, and their exemplary leadership has significantly enhanced performance and positively impacted the school community.

Between Friday, April 4, and Thursday, April 10, team members, parents, students, and the community will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite assistant principal. The prize for the winner will be delivered on April 11. To vote for your favorite principal, click here.

Below are some outstanding principals from across the district.

Sasha Hampton-Rounds has the unique experience of being an assistant principal at a Montessori school in the middle of downtown. She believes the school fills a need for families within Dallas ISD who live in the most urban area of the city. With 11 years of 

teaching experience, Hampton-Rounds supports the reading department at her school. She believes a successful educational leader will love working with people and have the tools to navigate working with all personality types.

“We have a little over 330 children. There’s a complete mindset shift at Montessori school that is separate from traditional school. At Montessori school, we focus on teaching the whole child,” she said.

Hampton received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas, as well as amaster’s in business administration from Texas Woman’s University and a master’s in educational leadership. She believes her experience in leadership and business prepared her for not only instructional leadership but coaching others.

“I think a great leader should be able to interact with a range of people from prekindergarten students all the way to a superintendent. Figuring out what people need and finding ways to meet those needs is key,” Hampton said.  

Patrice Ruffin-Brown
South Oak Cliff High School 

Patrice Ruffin-Brown is a proud product of Dallas ISD and graduate of A. Maceo Smith High School, now New Tech Academy at B. F. Darrell. She believes in pouring back into the community that gave her guidance, mentorship, and investment as a student, which led her to become an assistant principal in the district.

Ruffin-Brown supports the English language arts and writing departments at her school and also leads school counselors, the attendance office, and 12th grade administrators.

“I believe that leaders in education should be adaptive servant leaders with compassion and empathy. We should seek to understand the unique needs of diverse learners,” Ruffin Brown said. She believes successful school leaders are courageous and have the fearless ability to speak up for others who don’t always feel that they have a voice.

Ruffin-Brown received a bachelor’s degree from Jarvis Christian University, a master’s in educational leadership from Prairie View A&M, and pursued doctoral studies in educational leadership at National University.