Howard Named 'Outstanding Principal of the Year'
Stephanie Howard, Robert E. Lee High School principal, received the Region 18 High School "Outstanding Principal of the Year" award from the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).
Howard has been principal of Lee since 2007. She served as a teacher in the early part of her career before moving into administration.
Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and communications from Angelo State University, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She is currently pursuing her doctorate through The University of Texas, San Antonio/UTPB doctoral cohort program.
Howard said she is proud to play a role in the accomplishments at Lee, including the change in Lee's TEA rating to Academically Acceptable. "What I find most rewarding is getting to work with the students every day and seeing them overcome what is difficult for them," she said. "The faculty and staff and community support is just amazing. This award is a huge honor because there's so many outstanding principals in the region."
Evans Named 'Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year'
Kim Evans, Robert E. Lee High School academic dean, received the Region 18 High School "Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year" award from the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).
Evans is in her second year as Lee's academic dean. She has been in Midland ISD for 23 years, serving as a teacher and assistant principal before taking her current post.
Evans earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from UTPB.
As an academic dean, Evans is directly responsible for instruction, assessment and student services. Evans said she takes her job seriously and enjoys the positive outcomes. "An academic dean has a lot of hats to wear," Evans said. "Everything that I do affects the students in the classroom. It's rewarding to me to see a student graduate."
This year, Robert E. Lee High School celebrates 50 years of upholding a "Tradition of Excellence." The Lee High School 50th Anniversary Committee has planned festivities for the school's homecoming weekend, including the school's first Lee Legacy Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony.
There were 10 people chosen for the honor based on their contributions to Lee High School and to their communities. The honorees are: Former First Lady Laura Welch Bush, General Tommy Franks (Ret.), Michael L. Williams, Susan Graham, Coach Ernie Johnson, Keith Bishop, Judge Robin Malone Darr, Dr. Jeffrey Alan Kozak, Hazel Verna Parker Taylor, and Jacob (Jake) C. Young III (deceased).
Maridell Fryar, a former Lee teacher and MISD administrator, and a member of the Lee 50th Anniversary Committee, said the committee chose the 10 honorees out of 30 nominees. She expects the Wall of Honor tradition to continue in the future. "What a legacy this school has left over the years," Fryar said. "We want to celebrate the past accomplishments and also celebrate the future."
