Friday, April 26, 2024
The month of March has been designated to celebrate the vital role of women in American history. In 1987 a bill was passed to expand a previous week-long event to “Women’s History Month” to celebrate the contributions women have made in the United States and to recognize their achievements over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
In Coryell County, there have been a few notable “firsts” including the first female sheriff, Willie “Birdie” Hollingsworth, who became sheriff in 1934. In the years that followed, women became more visible in official offices and in educational roles.
Those making history in Coryell County through the Gatesville Independent School District can now include the current principals at each of the five campuses. Not intending to make history, but rather creating history, happened in 2021 when Marie Barrows accepted the role of Gatesville High School principal, joining four other female campus principals in their leadership.
GISD Superintendent Dr. Barrett Pollard said, “I rarely think about the five lead principals as being ladies. They were the best candidates for their prospective positions and have done a wonderful job.”
Pollard continued, “They were the best candidates for their respective positions and have done a wonderful job.”
Pollard went on to explain that the school system has had other outstanding principals in the past such as Pam Bone, Marsha Worthington, and Cindy Venable. “All of those ladies were and are phenomenal to work with and great role models for our students. You could not ask for better educators for your children,” Pollard said.
Beginning with the principal of the Gatesville Primary School, Mashara Streater was a 1985 graduate of Gatesville High School. Her undergraduate degree was from Texas A&M University and she also received a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University. Her teaching career began 23 years ago as a Special Education teacher in College Station. She taught Life Skills and Resources for Waco and Midway ISD, before coming to Gatesville in 2009.
“I have loved working with the younger students,” Streater said. “I have enjoyed all my years in education and have many treasured memories and friendships. I am looking forward to retirement after this school year and spending more time with my family.”
Following her retirement in May, Streater will be replaced by Van Collins as principal.
Keegan Webb became the principal at Gatesville Elementary School in the 2019-20 school year. She is now in her fourth year as the principal of the elementary school and her 18th year in education. Webb, a 2000 graduate of Gatesville High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University and her master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
Webb previously taught for Midlothian and Duncanville ISD’s before returning home to Gatesville where she taught elementary music, middle school choir, third grade, served as ESL Coordinator, Special Programs Coordinator, and as an assistant principal. She said her favorite thing about being the principal of Gatesville Elementary “are the amazing students, staff, and parents I get to work with each day.” Webb was recently selected to be a part of the Region 12 Principal Leadership Academy, where she had the opportunity to join other Region 12 leaders in Dallas and Boston to observe and learn from leaders across the state and nation.
Gatesville Intermediate School remains under the guidance of Principal Bridget Register, who grew up in Gatesville and was an honor graduate in the GHS class of 1985. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. In 1999, she taught English in Oglesby for grades 6-12. From 2000-2006 she served as a Gatesville High School English teacher in addition to teaching World History and coaching girls volleyball, powerlifting, and track. From 2006-2010 she served as the assistant principal at Gatesville Junior High and later served in the same capacity at Gatesville Intermediate School from 2010 until 2015. That same year, 2015, Register was named the principal of the Gatesville Primary School, where she remained until 2019 when she became the principal of the intermediate school.
“I have come full circle in my educational experiences,” Register said. “Starting out as a district high school teacher many years ago, I have been able to teach many students who now have their own children coming up within the district. These connections have helped build strong relationships, expectations, and trust.”
Register’s favorite aspect of intermediate-aged education is seeing students in class having what she calls those “a-ha” moments in a science lab, during an experiment, or reading a story where they are truly excited about learning.
Suzy Penrod became the lead principal at the Gatesville Junior High for the 2021-22 school year. As principal, she brought with her 25 years of invaluable experience in education. Penrod served as an assistant principal at Gatesville Intermediate School for four years before transitioning to the Gatesville Junior High School, where she served as assistant principal for another two years. In the past, Penrod has worked as an Instructional coach, reading specialist, math interventionalist, and classroom teacher in Leander ISD and Lake Travis ISD.
Penrod has developed strong relationships with students, parents, guardians, and colleagues. Her outstanding work has earned her recognition including the Region 12 Assistant Principal of the Year award in 2018. Her unwavering commitment to “doing what’s best for students” is evident by her creating a safe, supportive, and academically challenging environment for all students and is a valuable member of the Gatesville education community.
“I believe in every child being valued and challenged to reach their full potential. With a positive mindset, we can achieve anything together,” Penrod said.
Marie Barrows was named the principal of the Gatesville High School in 2021. Barrows, originally from Wichita, Kansas, received her Bachelor of Science and her Master of Arts degrees at Newman University in Wichita. Barrows started her professional career as a commissioned Law Enforcement Officer, and later accepted a direct commission into the Army and served as an Adjutant General Corps Officer. She completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and gained experience working with diverse groups of people and cultures but spent much of her time attached to military police units. During her experience, she worked advising school safety at Kansas State University and served as a public school liaison.
Barrows left the military in 2010 and, at that time, decided to take the plunge and enter public education full time and became an educator. In 2019, she became an assistant principal at Gatesville High School and later finished her superintendent certification at West Texas A&M University in 2020. As the principal at the high school, Barrows said her favorite thing about education is “working with the students and hopefully opening doors for them to be able to choose their adult pathway in life, and our course supporting the amazing staff and faculty at Gatesville High School.” Upon Barrow’s retirement in May, her stint as principal will be assumed by Liz Shoaf, who currently serves as assistant principal at the high school.
These remarkable educators have not only been creating a little history in the Gatesville Independent School District as all female principals, but it should also be noted that they have devoted their time, expertise, guidance, devotion, and expert abilities to make their students more aware of the possibilities and challenges they may face beyond high school and college. They are perfect examples to be recognized during Women’s History Month.
