Kennedale’s new staff hail from Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, South Dakota, Louisiana, Kansas, Wisconsin and Wyoming

Kennedale ISD welcomed a number of new staff members this fall, although some are current employees who have accepted new positions on different campuses. A couple are KISD graduates and most come with years of experience. {{more}}

Kennedale Junior High School:

 

KJHS starts the year with a new principal and assistant principal (neither who are new to Kennedale) along with ten new faculty and staff members.

• Michael Cagle replaces Principal Sherri Kottwitz who left for a similar position in White Settlement ISD. Degrees from Baylor University & University of North Texas; 10 years as a science teacher; named 2010 Educator of the Year in Springtown ISD and the 2014 Assistant Principal of the Year in Region XI by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.
• Amy Newcomer Working with Mr. Cagle is new Assistant Principal Amy Newcomer (Hometown: Ranger, TX) Tarleton State University & UTA Graduate School; 9 years experience with the last 6 years in Kennedale ISD.
• Charlie Hammonds (hometown: Fort Worth, TX) Tarleton State University; teaching History & coaching football and track; 2 years experience with Fort Worth ISD
• Brooke Bigham (hometown; Hereford, TX) University of North Texas; teaching 8th grade English & coaching volleyball and track; first year
• Jayna McQueen (hometown: Fort Worth, TX) Texas Tech University; teaching 8th English/PreAP English; 7 years experience with Azle and Springtown ISD
• Clarence Brooks (hometown: Bornin Baytown, TX and Memphis, TN) Tulane University & Dillard University; teaching Career Explorations & coaching football, basketball and track; 2.5 years experience with Winfree Academy Charter School
• Benjamin Borneman (hometown: Kennedale, TX) University of Texas/Arlington; working as Interventionalist; 1 year experience with Arlington ISD
• Melissa Moreno (hometown: Arlington, TX) University of Texas/Arlington; teaching English Language Arts & coaching volleyball and track; first year
• Tommi Dearing (hometown: Sioux Falls, SD) University of South Dakota; teaching 7-8 grade Math; experience with New Castle, CO and Lovejoy ISD
• Jessica Harns (hometown: Fallon, NV) Ashford University; working as an Intervention Specialist para-professional; 4 years experience with CCSD ? Northside Early Learning Center
• Cortney Powell (hometown: Austin, TX) Virginia College, Austin; working as Special Education para-professional; 1 year experience in Del Valle ISD
• Darlene Jones (hometown: Burleson, TX) worked in Burleson ISD for 13 years

Delaney Elementary starts the new year with a new counselor, speech therapist, three 1st grade teachers, one kindergarten teacher and a bilingual teacher.

• Charity Simmons (hometown: Fort Worth, TX) University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; working as Counselor; 5 years experience at Chapel Hill Charter School, Hillsboro ISD and Corsicana ISD
• Janelle Edwards (hometown: Burleson, TX) Southwestern Adventist University; teaching 1st Grade; 13 total years experience in Keene ISD, Mission ISD, Lancaster ISD and Mansfield ISD
• Katya Sido (hometown: Madison, WI) University of Wisconsin-Madison; teaching Kindergarten/Bilingual classes; 6 years experience in Irving ISD
• Ashley Arber (hometown: Arlington, TX) Texas Tech University; teaching 1st Grade; 9 years experience Mansfield ISD
• Ashley Spencer (hometown: Arlington, TX) Texas Wesleyan University (BS) and Texas Christian University (Med); teaching 1st Grade; first year
• Toya Hagwood (hometown: Baton Rouge. LA) Louisiana State University; teaching Kindergarten; 7 years experience in Waxahachie ISD
• April Ward (hometown: Arlington/Kennedale) University of North Texas; working as Speech Therapist; 11 years in Arlington ISD

Patterson Elementary has new teachers for 1st Grade, 4th Grade and Reading.

• Lacee Stone (hometown: Weatherford, TX) Tarleton State University; teaching 1st Grade; 1 year experience with Jackson ISD
• Chimene Mergens (hometown: Cresson, TX) Texas Wesleyan University and University of Texas/Arlington; working as Reading Interventionist; 9 years experience in Kennedale ISD
• Jackie Fisher (hometown: Arlington, TX) University of Texas/Arlington; teaching 4th Grade Math and Science; 6 years experience with Arlington ISD

Arthur Intermediate welcomes new teachers for 6th Grade and Math

• Wendi Jones (hometown: Wichita, KS) Kansas State University; teaching 6th Grade Math; 13 years experience with Grand Prairie ISD and DeSoto ISD
• Della Reed (hometown: Mesquite, TX) Texas A&M University; 6 years total experience with College Station ISD and Mansfield ISD

Kennedale High has a new Assistant Principal and Counselor as well as 14 staff members.

• Frankie Bryson (hometown: Alvarado, TX) Tarleton State University, working as Assistant Principal; 7 years experience with Alvarado ISD, 1 year with Life Charter School and 1 year as a research assistant at Tarleton State
• Damesha Sipho (hometown: Fort Worth, TX) Prairie View A&M University: working as 9th and 10th grade Counselor; 7 years experience with Fort Worth ISD (2 years as counselor)
• Barbara Johnson (hometown: Arlington, TX) University of Texas/Arlington; teaching education as Coordinator of Ready, Set, Teach! & Varsity Cheer Coach; 8 years experience with Kennedale Junior High
• Joshua Smith (hometown: Arlington, TX) University of North Texas; teaching World Geography/US History & coaching golf, football & baseball; 3 years experience with Arlington ISD
• Shannon Johnson (hometown: Riverton, WY) Oklahoma State University; working as Assistant Athletic Trainer; 16 years experience in Crowley ISD
• Jennifer Patterson (hometown: Grandview, TX) Texas Christian University; teaching Business/Speech & Head Volleyball Coach; 10 years experience at The North Hill School, Waxahachie ISD and Crowley ISD.
• Aaron Wingfield (hometown: Fort Worth, TX) Texas A&M University-Commerce; teaching Business Management/Money Matters/CTE & coaching football and track
• Derek Lopez (hometown: Kennedale, TX) University of North Texas; teaching Health Science Technology & coaching softball and football; first year
• Tavia Muzzi (hometown: Grand Prairie, TX) Baylor University; teaching World Geography & coaching volleyball and track/field; 7 years total experience in Tupelo, Mississippi, Cocoa, Florida and Arlington ISD
• Matthew Casey (hometown: San Antonio, TX) Schreiner University; teaching Math/Geometry & coaching football and basketball; 7 years total experience at Joshua ISD and Our Lady of the Hills High School
• Daniel Soliz (hometown: Alice, TX) Texas State University; teaching Audio/Video Production; first year
• Jena Wood (hometown: Arlington, TX) University of Texas/Arlington; teaching AP World History/World History & coaching tennis and soccer; first year
• Heather Alverson (hometown: Mansfield, TX) University of Texas/Arlington & Texas Woman?s University; teaching theatre as KHS Theatre Director; first year
• Carey McNutt (hometown: Longview, TX) Texas Tech University & Lubbock Christian University; teaching Art/AP Art; 10 years experience in Frenship ISD
• Alton Wideman (hometown: Lindale, TX) Baylor University; teaching P.E./Special Education & coaching football and Head Coach Track/Field; 5 years experience in Crowley ISD
• Wendy Gibbs (hometown: Mansfield, TX) assignment KHS Life Skills Aide