Posted on Jun 30, 2016 in
NEWSWORTHY
Donna Whisonant.
Veteran educators Julie Diaz and Donna Whisonant were named Fort Bend ISD’s 2016 Principals of the Year. Diaz is the principal at Travis High School and is the Secondary Principal of the Year, and Whisonant, principal at Sullivan Elementary School, is the Elementary Principal of the Year. They were selected by their peers for the honor based on their outstanding leadership, service and dedication to their students and staff. They were honored at the Region 4 Education Service Center Principal Recognition Ceremony.
“When I first heard the news that I was the Elementary Principal of the Year, I had to pinch myself,” admitted Whisonant. “I was stunned. Then I realized I was shedding tears of joy. I truly appreciate and am humbled by this honor.” An educator of 30 years, Whisonant strives for success and firmly believes that all students have the capacity to learn when they are taught in a positive and caring environment.
Whisonant joined the district in 1986 and has served as a fourth-grade teacher at Townewest Elementary School, an English Language Arts teacher and department chair at Fort Settlement Middle School and an assistant principal and principal at Austin Parkway Elementary School.
Julie Diaz.
Diaz also has 30 years of leadership experience, having served as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal at Barrington Place Elementary and principal at Commonwealth Elementary and Fort Settlement Middle School before becoming principal at Travis High School.
“I’m very humbled and honored to be named Secondary Principal of the Year,” shared Diaz. “While I am grateful for the honor, I feel there are so many outstanding secondary principals in the district, most of whom I have worked with as a middle school and now high school principal.”
Diaz works hard at establishing a positive school culture that is focused on student achievement. She believes in being present and in building positive relationships with her school’s clientele. “It is my hope that I am making a difference in students’ lives.”
