DeSoto ISD Announces Principal of the Year 2024-2025 at the Annual Cadence of Celebration Event
DeSoto ISD is pleased to announce Keishla Coleman,
Principal of Amber Terrace Early Learning Center, as the 2024-2025 DeSoto
ISD Principal of the Year. The announcement was made during the district’s
annual Cadence of Celebration, held on May 16, 2025. This year’s
theme, "Gilded Age of Greatness: An Ode to Employee Excellence in
DeSoto ISD," celebrated the outstanding contributions of DeSoto ISD
staff and employees across various departments, with Coleman being
recognized for their exemplary leadership and commitment to the district’s
mission.
The Principal of the Year Award recognizes an
outstanding educational leader who exemplifies the core values of DeSoto ISD,
including vision, mission, and academic excellence. This year’s POY recipient, Coleman,
stood out for her remarkable achievements in fostering a positive climate and
culture, promoting strategic leadership, and actively engaging with the
community to improve student outcomes.
“Coleman has gone above and beyond in creating an
environment where both students and staff thrive. Her unwavering dedication to
academic achievement, continuous improvement, and fostering a supportive
community for all has made a profound impact at Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning
Center on behalf of our youngest scholars and their families,” said Dr.
Usamah Rodgers, Superintendent of DeSoto ISD. “This recognition is a
testament to the hard work, vision, and leadership they bring to our district
every day. We are proud to have Coleman as part of our team.”
As the 2024-2025 Principal of the Year, Coleman
demonstrated the following characteristics, which align with the award
criteria:
Strategic Leadership:
Leading by influence, Coleman embodies the vision, mission, and goals of DeSoto
ISD, driving creativity and academic success within the school.
Promotes a Positive Climate and
Culture: They shape a nurturing environment that supports both staff and
students, fostering collaboration and success.
Monitors Educational Quality:
Ensuring excellence in daily instruction through active monitoring and
improving teacher effectiveness, innovation, and student outcomes.
Community Engagement:
Coleman builds strong relationships with parents, local businesses, and
community organizations, promoting a sense of partnership.
Advances Continuous Improvement:
Through effective management of resources and a commitment to student success, Coleman
has consistently ensured growth and achievement.
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition, but I know
that it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire Amber
Terrace team,” said Coleman. “The collaborative spirit at our school, along
with the support from the DeSoto ISD community, is what truly makes this award
meaningful. I am proud to be part of a district that values innovation, growth,
and the success of every student.”
The Cadence of Celebration event also highlighted the
incredible achievements of other DeSoto ISD employees who have exemplified
excellence in their respective roles, but the Principal of the Year award
stands as a highlight of the evening, underscoring the importance of leadership
in fostering student success.
Stephanie McCloud, Chief Academic Officer for DeSoto
ISD, shared, “The Principal of the Year award is one of the highest honors we
can give, and Coleman is more than deserving. She has consistently demonstrated
what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and commitment. We are proud of
the positive impact she has made not only in her school but across the entire
district.”
DeSoto ISD congratulates Coleman and thanks her for
her exceptional contributions to the district and the students they serve. The
district looks forward to her continued leadership and the ongoing success of Amber
Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center under her guidance.
About Principal Keishla Coleman
Keishla Coleman is a seasoned and visionary educational
leader with more than 30 years of experience in public education, specializing
in early childhood instruction and campus leadership. Currently serving as
Principal of Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center in DeSoto
ISD. Coleman, named the 2024–2025 DeSoto ISD Principal of the Year in
recognition of her strategic leadership, has demonstrated a dedication to
student success through her unwavering commitment to building strong school
communities.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M University–Commerce
(B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies) and Prairie View A&M University
(M.S., Educational Leadership), Coleman holds certifications in EC–12
Principalship, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education.
In her current role, she successfully reopened Amber
Terrace in the 2023–2024 school year, transforming the campus into a
dynamic early childhood education hub. Under her leadership, the school has
reestablished programs such as Montessori, Head Start, and STEM, and
fostered a culture of high expectations, collective responsibility, and
holistic student support.
Previously, Coleman served as Director of Early Childhood
for DeSoto ISD from 2020 to 2023, where she supported principals, led
implementation of the Texas HB3 Reading Academy, facilitated
instructional coaching, and supervised district library services. Her work was
instrumental in strengthening early literacy and ensuring educational
continuity from PreK through 3rd grade.
Before joining DeSoto ISD, Coleman spent over two decades in
Dallas ISD, where she served as an Instructional Specialist in the Early
Learning Department and Assistant Principal at K.B. Polk. Her leadership
focused on teacher development, instructional improvement, and
student-centered school operations.
Beyond her school and district roles, Coleman is deeply
engaged in community-based education advocacy. She serves as Basileus and
1st Anti-Basileus of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi
Delta Kappa, Inc., and is a founding board member of Illustrious Angels
Youth and Family Services.
A former Teacher of the Year at Thomas Tolbert
Elementary, Coleman is widely respected for her ability to transform school
environments, build educator capacity, and cultivate nurturing learning spaces.
Her leadership continues to shape the future of early childhood education in
DeSoto ISD and beyond.
For more information, visit
www.desotoisd.org.