In order to support improved coverage of district operations and campus and instructional support the DeSoto ISD announces the following leadership updates:
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Deb Cabrera has been appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer.
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Dorland Norris has been appointed Interim Chief of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
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Chasiti McKissic has been appointed Executive Director of Grants and Federal Programs
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Bridget Nevels has been appointed Interim Executive Director of Student Support Services
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Ben Miraglia has been appointed Director of Finance and Accounting
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Roberto Torres has been appointed Interim Principal of Frank Moates Elementary
Additionally, at the September 28, 2020, Regular Meeting of the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees, district campus administrator Deidre Hannible was named Deputy Chief Academic Officer.
Hannible, who most recently served as the principal of DeSoto East Middle School, is an educational leader with nearly 20 years of experience serving students, teachers, and families. She believes in fostering and building positive and energetic environments where students and staff excel. In her educational career, she has demonstrated the ability to develop, train, and implement curriculum and researched-based best practices to enhance student and teacher achievement.
Hannible is an alumnus of the University of North Texas and Prairie View A&M University, and holds masters degrees in Educational Leadership and Counseling. Before being appointed principal at East Middle School, she was the principal at Woodridge Elementary in DeSoto ISD. During her tenure, she led the campus from a near improvement required campus rating, to a campus with state distinctions. She has also served as a classroom teacher, an assistant principal, an instructional coach for schools and several organizations, and she is a national presenter for elementary mathematics and leadership. Her “pay it forward” leadership style has grown educators, students, and families across the nation.
As Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Hannible will work directly with principals, support the guidance of district-wide instructional philosophy and implementation, support the leadership of the district’s curriculum, instruction and assessment efforts and support goals and initiatives related to student academic achievement and teacher development.
Hannible will conclude her service at EMS on Friday, October 2, 2020, and begin her work as Deputy Chief Academic Officer on Monday, October 5, 2020.
Current East Middle School Assistant Principal Travis Anderson will assume the role of Interim Principal at EMS until the district appoints a permanent leader.
Mr. Anderson is an instructional leader with more than 20 years of educational experience as a classroom teacher, an athletic coach, and a campus administrator. His vision is to create a safe and nurturing environment where parents want to send their children; an environment where teachers are eager to teach, students enjoy learning, and employees want to work. In his educational career, he has demonstrated the ability to develop teachers, cultivate positive relationships, and enhance student achievement.
Mr. Anderson is a graduate of Southern University at New Orleans, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and is an alumnus of the University of New Orleans, where he received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. He has recently completed the Superintendent Certification Program at Lamar University. Mr. Anderson is a 13 year employee of Desoto ISD and has taught at The Meadows Elementary, where he was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2010 and Cockrell Hill Elementary. Mr. Anderson has also served as Assistant Principal at both East and West Middle Schools. It is his life-long passion to teach, mentor, and inspire others.