A few Tyler ISD campuses and departments will be under new leadership for the 2025-2026 school year.
“We’re enthusiastic about these new leadership assignments for the 2025–2026 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford. “Thanks to our strong leadership succession strategy, Tyler ISD is able to promote outstanding educators from within our ranks.”
2025-2026 Leadership Announcements
Dr. Bobby Markle, Chief Innovation Officer – Dr. Markle, a Tyler ISD graduate, was the principal of Caldwell Arts Academy for the last nine years. He will now focus on external academic partnerships and development, supervising K-8 magnet schools while curating the Caldwell experience.
Dr. Johnita Ward, Chief Academic Officer – Dr. Ward will lead the Curriculum and Instruction department. With over a decade of experience in Tyler ISD, she previously served for many years as a supervisor of school leadership for various schools.
Dr. Cassandra Chapa, Executive Director of State and Federal Programs – Dr. Chapa will head up state and federal programs, including the bilingual department. She previously served as a supervisor of school improvement for various schools and as an elementary school principal.
Rachel Sherman, Executive Director of School Leadership – Sherman was previously the principal at Three Lakes Middle School and Owens Elementary School, where she will remain involved through supportive leadership with both campuses and other Tyler ISD elementary and middle school campuses. Before that, she was in administration at Jacksonville ISD and Center ISD.
Alfonso Perez, Director of Transportation – Perez was promoted to director of transportation from within the department. Before joining the Tyler ISD team, he served as the director of transportation for a school district between Los Angeles and San Diego.
2025-2026 Principal Announcements:
Melanie Bush, Austin Elementary School – Bush, a Tyler ISD graduate, was an assistant principal at Boulter Middle School and an assistant principal at both elementary and middle school campuses.
Kimberly Simmons, Caldwell Arts Academy – Simmons, a Tyler ISD graduate, was the principal at Dixie Elementary School for five years. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School and Owens Elementary School.
Angel Thompson, Dixie Elementary School – Thompson was most recently the assistant principal at Rice Elementary School and, prior to that, she was the campus dean of students at Rice Elementary.
Caitlin Jiral, Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School – Jiral, a Tyler ISD graduate, most recently served as the assistant principal at Andy Woods Elementary School for the past four years, where she served as a teacher before that.
Brandy Baker, Owens Elementary School – Baker was most recently the principal of LaPoynor Elementary School. She has also served as the dean of students and assistant principal at Owens Elementary School.
Anais Favela–Jaimes, Peete Elementary School – Favela-Jaimes, a Tyler ISD graduate, was recently the assistant principal at Douglas Elementary School. Before that, she was an assistant principal and a master teacher at Bell Elementary School.
Weldon Davis, Three Lakes Middle School – Davis has served as principal at Owens Elementary for the past three years. Before moving to Tyler, Weldon Davis was a secondary campus administrator in Mesquite ISD.
Brett Shelby, Career and Technology Center – Shelby was the principal at Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School, where he served for the last seven years. Before that, he was an assistant principal at Three Lakes Middle School.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org