June 8, 2023

Aledo ISD announces the hiring of three assistant principals - at McAnally Middle School and Annetta Elementary - and three instructional specialists.

“We are thrilled to be adding so many incredible educators to our leadership team with these hirings,” Aledo ISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Bohn said. “Our staff has worked hard to fill these positions with leaders who understand what it means to be growing greatness and who will embody our mission of ensuring high levels of learning for all students. I hope our community will help me welcome our newest Bearcats and congratulate those moving to new leadership roles in the district.”

Kirsten Simenson and Diana Warren have both been named assistant principals at McAnally Middle School.

Simenson has previously been an assistant principal at an elementary school in the Hillsborough County Public School system in Tampa, Florida, for nine years. Prior to that, she was a peer evaluator and district trainer in Hillsborough County for two years and an elementary teacher in the district for seven years. Simenson also taught at the elementary level in the Pinellas County Public School system in St. Petersburg, Florida, for four years, and in the Lewiston Independent School District in Lewiston, Idaho, for one year. Simenson has an associate’s from Coastal Carolina Community College, a bachelor’s from Lewis-Clark State College, and a master’s from Nova Southeastern University. 

“I am beyond excited to be a part of the McAnally leadership team, and I am looking forward to serving our students, families, and community members in Bearcat Country!” Simenson said. “I honestly feel like I am returning home as I spent much of my childhood here with my grandparents. This is going to be a spectacular year!”

Warren has been a social studies instructional specialist in Lake Worth ISD for the past year. Prior to that, she was a data analyst and campus testing coordinator in Fort Worth ISD for a year. Warren taught middle school social studies in Everman ISD for seven years where she was also a member of the campus leadership team, a mentor teacher, a department chair and level lead. Warren also taught middle school social studies in Dallas ISD for one year. Warren has a bachelor’s from Rowan University in New Jersey and a master’s from the University of Texas at Arlington.

“I am so excited to be joining the Aledo family as an assistant principal at McAnally Middle School,” Warren said. “I look forward to working with students, staff, parents and community members to develop exceptional experiences to support the goals and achievement of our McAnally Bearcats.”

Brittany Smith has been named the assistant principal at Annetta Elementary. Smith was an assistant principal in Birdville ISD - at Binion Elementary and at Holiday Heights Elementary - for seven years. She also worked as a reading interventionist at Watauga Elementary in Birdville ISD for a year and as a first-grade teacher at The Academy at C.F. Thomas in Birdville ISD for four years. Smith has a bachelor’s from TCU and a master’s from Dallas Baptist University.

“It is such an honor to be given the opportunity to serve AISD and Annetta Elementary as the new assistant principal,” Smith said. “I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the students, their families, and the staff. As a former Bearcat myself, I’m so excited to come back and join the greatness!”

Amber Wheeler has been named a 9-12 reading language arts (RLA) instructional specialist. Wheeler has been an intervention specialist for the district for two years, and prior to that, she was an English teacher in Aledo ISD for three years. Wheeler was also a teacher at Chisholm Trail High School in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD for four years, at Brewer High School in White Settlement ISD for five years, at Clark High School in Northside ISD for one year, and at Harker Heights High School in Killeen ISD for two years. Wheeler has a bachelor’s from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master’s from Tarleton State University.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving in Aledo ISD and am excited to step into the role of Instructional Specialist,” Wheeler said. “I look forward to partnering with our amazing teachers to create exceptional experiences for students!”

Michelle Whitehead has been named a 9-12 math instructional specialist. Whitehead has been a 6-8 district instructional specialist since 2022. Prior to that, Whitehead was an intervention specialist at AHS and Daniel Ninth Grade Campus for a year and a math teacher at the Early College High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD for a year, at Fossil Ridge High School in the Keller ISD for three years, at Brewer High School in the White Settlement ISD for a year, and at Harvest Christian Academy for five years. Whitehead was also a math specialist at Bransom Elementary in Burleson ISD for three years. Whitehead has adjunct math faculty experience at Tarrant County College, Texas Wesleyan University, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Crown College and The King’s University. Whitehead has a bachelor’s from Texas A&M University and a master’s from Texas Woman’s University.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to join the AHS/DNG family,” Whitehead said. “I have been so blessed to serve at the middle schools this year alongside educators who truly embrace the goal of creating exceptional experiences for our amazing students at AMS & MMS. It has been my honor to prepare students for college readiness in math for over 18 years, and I look forward to joining the dynamic team at the high school to continue growing greatness.”

Dr. Keely Hulme has been named the 6-8 math instructional specialist for the district. Hulme has been a secondary math instructional coach for Azle ISD for the last two years. Prior to that, she was a research assistant for two years and a teaching fellow for three years at the University of North Texas. Hulme was also a math teacher at Aledo Middle School for five years. Hulme has a bachelor’s and master’s from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas. 

“I am thrilled to be returning to Aledo ISD,” Hulme said. “The impact Aledo had on my growth as a student and then as a new teacher was immeasurable and continues to this day. I look forward to supporting mathematics education in such an amazing atmosphere.”