The top assistant principal in all of West Texas is Putnam’s Hillery Smith, who was recently named the Region 19 Assistant Principal of the Year.
The title gives her a chance to be named the 2020 Texas Assistant Principal of the Year.
“It is an honor for me to represent my school and the District, which was given me numerous opportunity to serve the K-12 community of El Paso” said Smith. “I was raised to value education as the foundation of a meaningful life, and having the chance to share these values as an educator and an administrators is truly a blessing.”
The peer-based award is given by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and recognizes assistant principals for their commitment to student learning as evidence by exceptional school leadership.
Smith began her career at EPISD 23 years ago after earning her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and later completing her master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Texas at El Paso.
“Our entire campus promotes kindness, teamwork and support every day,” she said. “It makes for more than just a memory for our kids … It makes for an enriching experience.”
Her talent as an educator gave her the opportunity to open and teach at three schools who were at the time new in EPISD: Kohlberg, Tippin and Lundy elementary schools.
During her tenure at EPISD she has as a second-grade teacher, a staff member in the professional development center, a curriculum writer and an instructional coach.
“Public education provides children a gateway to opportunity and success. As an elementary educator, I strongly believe that it is essential to ignite a passion for learning while students are young, to inspire and motivate them through graduation and into post-secondary success.”
