COPPERAS COVE – Trustees have tasked a new principal to lead the district’s first National Blue Ribbon School, in addition to allowing the expansion of a key R.I.S.E. Program partnership.
In a unanimous approval, trustees have tabbed Carolyn Jackson as the new campus principal at House Creek Elementary School, serving the northernmost students in Copperas Cove.
Jackson has more than 20 years of experience in public education, with her time as a teacher starting in Copperas Cove in 1998, where she’s been remained with the exception of two years, when she taught in Dekalb County, Indiana.
In 2011, Jackson moved into an interventionist role before eventually moving up to instructional coach, where she served for two years before being named assistant principal at House Creek. In that role, she was instrumental in helping the campus achieve new academic heights which directly led to its National Blue Ribbon School designation awarded by the U.S. Department of Education in 2023.
“I am confident that Mrs. Jackson will, once again, find great success at House Creek, this time as principal,” Superintendent Dr. Joe Burns said. “She has been successful in a variety of roles both in and out of the classroom, and her return to a campus she knows so well is something I am confident will serve the students, staff and families of House Creek well.”
Since January 2023, Jackson has served as CCISD’s Director of Assessment and Accountability, where she trained campus personnel on testing procedures and rules for all standardized tests required of Texas public schools. She also oversaw the district’s Title I compliance, including the Parent, Community & Outreach Coordinators at the seven elementary campuses in the district.
Jackson also implemented an improved intake system to determine a student’s eligibility in the McKinny-Vento program.
“I am both honored and excited to be given the opportunity to step into the role as Principal for House Creek Elementary School,” Jackson said. “I am eager to work closely with the incredible staff, students, and community to foster an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and inspired to achieve their best.”
Jackson will assume her new role on Jan. 6th, when district staff return from Christmas Break.
The board also approved the expanded partnership with TeachWorthy, an alternative certification training module provider used with the R.I.S.E. Program, due to increased interest from eligible CCISD employees.
The R.I.S.E. Program is CCISD’s “Grow Your Own” program, allowing qualified paraprofessionals in the district to finish their degree for free and earn their teacher certification to begin their career in the classroom.
“The success of our R.I.S.E. Program is undeniable,” Burns said. “Some of our most innovative and high-performing teachers in Copperas Cove are either finishing or have completed the R.I.S.E Program. We are thankful the board sees the value of this program to continue ensuring students in Cove always have a great educator to teach them.”
Finally, the board swore in newly-elected board members. Sherry Hoffpauir was sworn into Place 1 and Tim Traeger was sworn into Place 2.
The board also elected officers for the next year. Trustees elected Joan Manning as President, John Gallen as Vice President and Mike Wilburn as Secretary.
The Board of Trustees is currently scheduled to next hold its regular workshop on Jan. 13th with its regular meeting the following evening. Both meetings will be held in the Board Room at the District Service & Training Center, located at 408 S. Main St.
Agendas are posted 72 hours prior to each meeting outside the CCISD Service & Training Center. Once posted, they can be viewed online at CCISD.com/SchoolBoard.