New Principals 2024-2025

An educator who has served within Killeen ISD for 10 years has been appointed to a leading role for the 2024-2025 school year. 
  
KISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jo Ann Fey on Wednesday announced Anika Stewart as the new principal of Willow Springs Elementary. 
 
Stewart is scheduled to start in her new position July 8. 
  
“We are thrilled to have an experienced educator from within the district ready to step into this leadership role,” Fey said. “Mrs. Stewart has varied experiences across multiple educational positions that will serve her well in this new adventure.” 
  
Stewart moves over from Hay Branch Elementary where she was the assistant principal since January 2022, carrying out numerous responsibilities such as testing coordinator, safety administrator and campus behavior coordinator, in addition to instructional leader. 
  
Prior to her time at Hay Branch, Stewart held the role of campus facilitator for special programs at Nolan Middle School from July 2019-January 2022, and was an eighth-grade math teacher at Union Grove Middle School from 2015-2019 –– a four-year span during which she served on the district planning team for math, the site-based, decision-making committee, National Junior Honor Society selection committee and the campus conduct committee. 
  
"I am excited to join the Willow Springs family and am ready to connect with the staff, parents and community to ensure student success,” Stewart said. “By working together, we will achieve great things.” 
  
Stewart, who began her tenure with KISD as a substitute teacher during the 2014-2015 school year, holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. 

Willow Springs Elementary School

Mr. Central Hicks recently wrapped up his third year as the assistant principal at Liberty Hill Middle School, and has worked within Killeen ISD since 1998.   

Among many roles during 20 years at Robert M. Shoemaker High School, Hicks led the Lady Grey Wolves soccer team from its inception until 2021, was the freshman football head coach, taught Spanish and world history, and was the AVID coordinator from 2019-2021. 

Hicks earned a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University, a master’s degree in curriculum design and instruction from Concordia University Texas and his principal certification from Lamar University. 

Manor Middle School

Christy Galloway previously served as the assistant principal at Meadows Elementary, her fourth stop during a 10-plus year tenure within Killeen ISD. 

Galloway started her career as a first-grade teacher at Bellaire Elementary (2014-2015), spent three years as a third-grade instructor at Mountain View Elementary (2015-2019), and held two positions over three years as Alice Douse Elementary – campus instructional specialist (2019-2021) and assistant principal (2020-2021). 

Along with teaching and principal certifications, Galloway earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Central Texas and a master’s degree in educational administration from Concordia University Texas. 

Mountain View Elementary School

With 13 years of experience in Killeen ISD, both as a classroom teacher and administrator, Dr. Tiphani Morris brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the role.

A proud native of Central Texas, Dr. Morris is an alumna of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Texas A&M University-Central Texas. As a coach’s wife and mother of two beautiful daughters, Dr. Morris is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and challenging educational environment. At Harker Heights Elementary School, the focus is on building positive relationships and encouraging students to think critically.

Dr. Morris believes that student success thrives on effective communication and a united effort among administrators, teachers, parents, and students. Excitement is high for an exceptional school year ahead!

Harker Heights Elementary

Mr. Fredrick Lilly II has the honor of serving as the principal of Roy J. Smith Middle School. Originally from Camden, Arkansas, Mr. Lilly attended the University of Arkansas-Monticello on football and choir scholarships. He began his teaching and coaching career in Jackson, Mississippi, before returning to his home state to take on roles as a dean of students, assistant principal, and principal.

Mr. Lilly, a father of three and happily married to an educator, recently relocated to Texas in 2023. His children are students in Killeen ISD, and Mr. Lilly previously served as a building principal in Belton ISD.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas-Monticello, a master’s degree in Teaching Arts from Mississippi College, and two educational specialist degrees in Educational Leadership, with a focus on Principalship and Superintendency from Arkansas State University. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Mr. Lilly is enthusiastic about the upcoming year and looks forward to working with the Roy J. Smith Middle School community. Go Leopards!

Roy. J. Smith Middle School

Mr. Gonzalez grew up in a small, west Texas town (graduating class had 33 students!) and moved to the Abilene area to attend McMurry University.  He graduated from McMurry in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  Mr. Gonzalez then travelled to San Marcos and attended Texas State University, graduating in 2000 with a Master of Education degree.  It was at this time that Mr. Gonzalez made the journey to Killeen, where he got his first job at Ellison High School. 

Mr. Gonzalez was a teacher and athletic trainer at Ellison for 11 years before making the leap into administration.  From 2011 through 2017, Mr. Gonzalez served as an assistant principal at Ellison High School and worked in various areas that aided in student achievement.  These different experiences led Mr. Gonzalez to serve the Early College High School community as the Curriculum Director and most recently as the Assistant Principal. 

Mr. Gonzalez’s belief is that all students can learn no matter where they come from and will ensure students transition into becoming successful adults on whatever path they choose after high school. Mr. Gonzalez enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.  

Nolan Middle School

Mary Lynn Gawryszewski is the principal of Robert M. Shoemaker High School. She most recently spent two years as principal at Nolan Middle School, a stint that is part of her 19-year tenure within KISD. She previously worked at Shoemaker as the school’s curriculum director.
 
“I am excited to reconnect with the Grey Wolf family,” Gawryszewski said. “It’s a campus I enjoyed serving at for several years. Together we will build on the school’s solid foundation so that every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential in a positive school environment.”
 
Gawryszewski started with the district in 2005 as a social studies teacher at Harker Heights High School. Her experience also includes time as the campus instructional specialist at Nolan and Harker Heights, district instructional specialist and district curriculum and assessment specialist.
 
Gawryszewski earned a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Cortland in anthropology and secondary social studies, and a Master’s degree in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Robert M. Shoemaker High School

Killeen ISD’s new Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School has its first principal.
 
The school district leadership on Wednesday announced that Savannah Jimenez is principal of the school set to open in August.
 
She has worked in campus and district administration in KISD since 2018, first at Early College High School and then as a district curriculum and assessment specialist.
 
Jimenez began her career as a high school teacher in Bossier City, Louisiana and then Pflugerville ISD.
 
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
 
“Mrs. Jimenez will make an excellent campus leader,” said Assistant Superintendent Susan Buckley.
 
“She is diligent, a hard worker and committed to academic excellence. She is also a humble, compassionate leader who cares deeply for students and staff.”
 
Construction of JDA Middle School is almost complete. It is located on Chaparral Road adjacent to Chaparral High School, now in its second year of operation.
 
The KISD Board of Trustees recently approved the attendance zone that will serve the new middle school campus in south Killeen.
 
A dedication ceremony for JDA Middle School was hosted in July. 

Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School