Two Lamar CISD principals are being honored for their extraordinary leadership by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA).
Brian Gibson and Ben Perez are two of five principals selected as Texas National Distinguished Principal (NDP) Finalists.
Gibson had been serving as the principal of Velasquez Elementary since he joined the District in 2014. Prior to becoming principal of Velasquez, Gibson served as an assistant principal and teacher in Fort Bend ISD. Gibson was recently named as the new principal of Morgan Elementary, which will open in the spring of 2022.
Perez joined Lamar CISD as a paraprofessional in 1996 and is currently the principal at Ray Elementary. Before taking the helm at Ray in 2004, Perez served as a teacher, specialist and assistant principal in the District.
“Undeterred by the uncertainty of the last year, these leaders have continued to serve their students and communities in bold and innovative ways,” TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart said. “They’ve worked tirelessly to ensure their students and staff are safe and continuing to learn and grow. We’re honored to recognize them for their extraordinary work and leadership.”
The NDP program promotes PK-8 educational excellence and focuses on the fundamental importance of the school principal. These outstanding leaders will next showcase their achievements during a virtual school visit by a team of educators. Finalists will be recognized at the TEPSA Awards Reception this summer.
TEPSA received 137 nominations for the 2021 Texas NDP award. After applicants shared their educational philosophies and professional accomplishments, a peer-review committee selected the five finalists. The Texas NDP will be announced in May. The award recipient will receive $10,000 and represent Texas at the 2021 NDP gala in Washington, DC.
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