Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox has named five new principals for Foster Middle, Johnston-McQueen Elementary, Ned E. Williams Elementary, South Ward Elementary, and Ware Elementary.
Ryan Carroll will be taking over at Foster, Dr. Jennifer Bailey will lead Johnston-McQueen, Melanie Hamilton moves over to Ned E. Williams, Joaquin Guerrero will lead South Ward, and Patricia Duck will take charge at Ware.
Ryan Carroll
Carroll, currently the principal of Daingerfield High School in Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD, was previously an Assistant Principal at Foster Middle from 2012-15. A graduate of Texas Christian University, Carroll also played professional basketball from 2001-2007 before beginning his career in education at Tyler ISD in 2009. He replaces longtime principal John York who has accepted a position with the district as Director of Elementary Education.
'John York has consistently done an exceptional job at Foster, and we're glad to be able to retain his expertise and leadership within the district,' Wilcox said. 'At the same time, we're very excited to bring Ryan Carroll back to our team of campus principals. The administration believes Mr. Carroll will build upon Foster's success and carry them forward.'
Dr. Jennifer Bailey
Dr. Bailey, currently the principal of Jackson Elementary in Chapel Hill ISD, has previously worked as a teacher and administrator at Kilgore and Hallsville ISDs, in addition to working as a professor at Stephen F. Austin University and consultant for Region VII. She replaces Scott Fisher who is returning to the Longview ISD Education Support Center as a grant writer and recruiter.
'Scott Fisher is another highly-skilled staffer we're glad to be able to hold on to at Longview ISD, and we're eager to see the great things Dr. Jennifer Bailey does on that campus,' Wilcox said. 'Dr. Bailey brings with her some impressive credentials and accomplishments. We believe she's the perfect person to lead Johnston-McQueen Elementary.'
Melanie Hamilton
Hamilton, currently an Instructional Specialist for LISD — who previously worked as a 5th Grade teacher and UIL Coordinator for Ware Elementary — comes highly recommended to maintain the high standard of academic excellence at Ned E. Williams Elementary. She replaces Dr. Cynthia Wise who is now at Forest Park Middle, but has been continuing to lead the campus in the interim.
'Melanie Hamilton brings tremendous energy to that role, and the administration is excited to see her build upon the foundation and reputation Dr. Wise has established at Ned E. Williams Elementary,' Wilcox said.
Joaquin Guerrero
Guerrero, currently the principal of New Diana Middle School, returns to Longview ISD where he previously worked at the Longview High and Early Graduation High campuses from 2007-2016. A military veteran who worked in U.S. Army intelligence, Guerrero also was an Assistant Principal at Marshall ISD and a Career Technology instructor at Sam Rayburn ISD. He replaces Hudson PEP principal Sue Wilson who has been leading the campus on an interim basis since January.
'We're so appreciative for the incredible job Mrs. Sue Wilson has done at that campus pulling double duty, and we're glad to bring Joaquin back to the Longview ISD family,' Wilcox said. 'He was a solid administrator for us, who wore a lot of hats for us during his previous tenure. It's going to be exciting to see the job he's going to do taking South Ward Elementary to the next level.'
Patricia Duck
Duck, currently the principal of Wise Elementary in Chapel Hill ISD, previously worked as a campus principal for Tyler ISD and the Crisman School, in addition to teaching stints at LeTourneau University, White Oak, ISD and Longview ISD. She replaces interim principal Shameka Allen, who is returning to her role as an Assistant Principal at Longview High.
'Patricia Duck is another excellent professional coming to us from Chapel Hill, though she was actually with us from 2000-04 as a 3rd grade teacher at the former Mozelle Johnston Elementary,' Wilcox said. 'But since leaving LISD she has continued to grow and develop as an educator and administrator.'
