August 5, 2020August 6, 2020 by Staff News

District announces leadership changes

Several changes in the district’s leadership structure became effective Aug. 1 to fill positions left vacant by promotions and retirements. The new reporting structure establishes continuity and enhances Dallas ISD’s efforts to educate all students.

Jolee Healey has been named Chief of School Leadership. Healey has served in Dallas ISD as a teacher, assistant principal, principal of a Blue Ribbon school, executive director, ACE executive director, and, most recently, deputy chief of School Leadership. Healy also has led the district’s Leader Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) program, which focuses on coherence across steppingstone leadership roles to provide a robust pipeline for Dallas ISD. These varied experiences have helped her establish significant partnerships with outstanding Dallas ISD educators and stakeholders. Healey graduated from Texas A&M–College Station, then earned a master’s degree in education from Texas Woman’s University. She is currently seeking a doctorate in educational leadership from Texas A&M–Commerce.

Shannon Trejo was named Chief Academic Officer. She had previously been acting in the position following Ivonne Durant’s retirement. Trejo has 28 years of educational experience in various capacities, including as assistant superintendent for Language, Literacy and Social Studies. In that role, she led six departments—Dyslexia/504, Reading Language Arts, Social Studies, Dual Language and English Learner Services, World Languages, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support—and focused on the creation and implementation of a districtwide curriculum. Trejo earned a bachelor ’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in educational administration from The University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently seeking a doctorate at Texas A&M University.

Roshonda Clayton-Brown has been named deputy chief of School Leadership and will oversee School Leadership A. After several years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Dallas ISD, Clayton-Brown became executive director over the Hillcrest/W.T. White elementary cluster. Before being named deputy chief, she served as executive director over the ACE campuses and worked with principals and other staff on the overall effectiveness of instructional practices to ensure all students achieved academically.

Mark Ramirez has been named deputy chief of School Leadership and will oversee School Leadership B. Ramirez has served as executive director in School Leadership. Prior to that, Ramirez was principal at Moisés E. Molina High School after a year as science coordinator at Harlingen CISD. Ramirez has served in a variety of roles in Dallas ISD since 1999, including as a bilingual teacher, science coach and associate principal. He is also an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University. Ramirez has published two science books—Force and Motion and Energy All Around. He earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from The University of Texas at Arlington and a doctorate in education from Dallas Baptist University.

Sharon Quinn has been named deputy chief of Racial Equity. Quinn is experienced in increasing student achievement at all levels. She began her educational leadership career in 2000 as a principal in Houston ISD, where she also served as regional executive principal. In 2010, Quinn became deputy superintendent of Schools and Administration at Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 in South Carolina, where she worked to improve student achievement and graduation rates. She joined Dallas ISD as deputy chief of School Leadership. Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in business technology and a master’s in administration and supervision from the University of Houston. She earned a doctorate in educational administration and human resource development from Texas A&M University–College Station.

Deputy chief Leslie Williams, a long-time educator and Dallas ISD leader, will now oversee the district’s minority and women-owned business enterprises program as it relates to Bond 2015 and potential Bond 2020 work. He will also serve as a liaison to the community on construction projects. Williams has 43 years of experience in education, which includes development and execution of strategic planning initiatives that effectively lead campus administrators and teachers to sustain student academic excellence and campus operational efficiency. In addition to serving in different leadership roles in the district—including teacher, principal, executive director, and assistant superintendent—Williams is also a graduate of Dallas ISD. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and a master’s in educational administration from Prairie View A&M University.

Elena Hill has been named assistant superintendent for Early Childhood. Hill is a focused and dedicated educator with 25 years of experience, who started her career in early childhood education. She has continually advocated for children having a strong start to school. Her career with Dallas ISD started in 1997 when she became a kindergarten teacher at Edna Rowe Elementary School. She has been an assistant principal and principal at C.A. Tatum Jr. Elementary School and most recently served as executive director in School Leadership. She has a bachelor’s degree in child development/psychology from the University of North Texas, a master’s degree in elementary education from Texas A&M University–Commerce, a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of North Texas, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from The University of Texas at Austin.

Dwayne Thompson will serve as chief business officer responsible for the Finance, Operations and Construction divisions. The deputy chiefs of Operations, Finance and Construction will report directly to him.