Bobcats rise in education ranks

Texas State University graduates are gaining prominence as leaders and administrators in Central Texas schools.

The Pflugerville school board appointed Reese Weirich (pictured) to be promoted to principal at Murchison Elementary School, where she has served as assistant principal since 2007.

Weirich began her career in education in 1998. She has worked as a teacher, coach and assistant principal in the Leander and Pflugerville school districts. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas State.

Gabrielle Niño, previously the assistant principal at Robertson Elementary School in Round Rock, has been named principal at Bluebonnet Elementary School.

Niño has been an educator for nine years, working as kindergarten teacher, a first grade teacher and a reading recovery specialist in the San Antonio and Round Rock districts. She earned both a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s in educational leadership from Texas State.

Kimberly Connelly will become the principal of Union Hill Elementary School in Round Rock.

Connelly has been an educator for 13 years, including 11 years with the Round Rock district. As an assistant principal in Round Rock ISD, she worked at Gattis Elementary and helped open Teravista Elementary School. She earned both a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Texas State.

Read more about these outstanding alumni in the Austin American-Statesman.