Rockwall ISD Update: Highlights from Board of Trustees June 12, 2023 Special Session Meeting

Rockwall, TX (June 13, 2023) – The following is a Rockwall ISD press release summarizing the special session meeting of Monday, June 12. NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items. Board meeting videos are available for viewing within 24-hours of the meeting at www.rockwallisd.com.

RHS and RHHS Ninth Grade Campus Principals Named
Tonight, the Board of Trustees named Mrs. Shanon Zais the principal of the Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus and Dr. Jeff Chandler the principal of the Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus. Both
campuses will open to freshmen in the Fall of 2024.

Zais Continues Work at RHS as New RHS Ninth Grade Campus Mrs. Zais has 19 years of experience in public education, all of which have been in Rockwall ISD. Most recently, she has served as the Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Rockwall High School for the past six years. She has previously served as an assistant principal at both Rockwall High School and Utley Middle School. Mrs. Zais helped open Rockwall-Heath High School as an English teacher, PALS teacher, and Varsity Cheer Coach. She also served as an English teacher at Utley Freshman Center. Mrs. Zais earned a Master of Educational Administration Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University in College Station. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Liberty University with anticipated graduation in the summer of 2024.

Mrs. Zais’s professional experiences and accomplishments include the following:
• Developing and implementing programs to increase student achievement outcomes;
• Coordinating and delivering professional learning aligned to campus and district priorities;
• Skilled facilitator of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) process;
• Served on the 2021 Rockwall ISD bond planning committee;
• Earned the Lean Management Black Belt Certification, and
• Most Inspirational Teacher, Rockwall-Heath High School.

Chandler Returns to RHHS as New RHHS Ninth Grade Campus Dr. Jeff Chandler returns to the Rockwall-Heath High School team with 20 years of experience in public education, 15 of those years in Rockwall ISD. Most recently, he has served as the Associate Principal of Student Services at Rockwall High School. He has previously served as an assistant principal at Rockwall High School as well as an AP Chemistry teacher, Science Department Chair and PLC Facilitator. In addition, Dr. Chandler served as an AP Physics Teacher and PLC Facilitator at Rockwall-Heath High School. Dr. Chandler earned a Doctorate of Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He earned a Master of Science Degree in Physics from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University in College Station.

Dr. Chandler’s professional experiences and accomplishments include the following:
• Developing and implementing a systematic approach for campus-wide positive student behavior supports;
• Partnering with campus personnel to develop a data driven approach to student ownership of learning;
• Skilled facilitator of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) process;
• Served on the 2021 Rockwall ISD bond planning committee;
• Earned the Lean Management Black Belt Certification, and
• Most Inspirational Teacher, Rockwall High School.

Lupe Garcia Elementary School Principal Named
Crystal Shaklee has served students and staff in education for twenty-three years. Most recently, Mrs. Shaklee has served as assistant principal for five years at Virginia Reinhardt Elementary. She also has served as an instructional coach in Rockwall ISD and as a math specialist in Duncanville ISD. In addition to her campus leadership experience, Mrs. Shaklee has served as a teacher in multiple grade levels in Rockwall ISD, Duncanville ISD and Klein ISD. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Education in Administration Sam Houston State University.

Mrs. Shaklee’s professional experiences include:
· Five years elementary campus assistant principal experience;
· Instructional Coach and Math Specialist;
· Rockwall ISD Aspiring Principal Academy Participant;
· Successful implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs);
· Campus-wide implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS);
· Extensive experience leading campuses with a variety of special programs; and
· Eight years leadership experience in creating positive campus culture.

Submitted press release

  feature, featured, Heath, Rockwall, Rockwall ISD