Sweetwater ISD

House Bill 1481

🏈 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Coach Robert Rodriguez! 🐎📣

We are thrilled to welcome Robert Rodriguez to Sweetwater ISD!

Coach Rodriguez brings with him over a decade of experience and a deep commitment to student success—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond. His return to the area is more than a professional move—it’s a homecoming filled with purpose, growth, and family.

Robert is especially excited to reconnect with his mentor, continue developing his skill set, and pour into the lives of our student-athletes, helping them reach their goals and chase excellence in every part of their journey.

Even more special—he’s bringing his beautiful family to grow and thrive in our community. Along with Mr. Rodriguez, Sweetwater is excited to welcome his wife Mea and their three sons: AJ, Manny and Eric.

Coach Rodriguez shared:

“I’m honored to bring my family with me so they may grow in the community and be educated in the district.”

We’re proud to have your leadership and heart on our team. Welcome to Sweetwater—it’s going to be a great year! 💪📚

🎉 Welcome to the Mustang Family, Lexia Simpson! 🐴📚

We’re excited to welcome Lexia Simpson to the team at Sweetwater Intermediate School!

Lexia brings with her a wealth of experience and a heart for students. A proud graduate of Anson High School, she is entering her ninth year in education. Lexia has a strong background in English Language Arts, having taught predominantly 6th and 7th grade, as well as 5th grade ELA most recently at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV—where she deepened her passion for cooperative learning and student growth.

Her journey includes:

3 years teaching 6th & 7th grade ELA and coaching middle school girls athletics right here in Sweetwater ISD 💛❤️

2 years in Abilene ISD, also teaching ELA and coaching 🏀🏃‍♀️

A memorable year at Nellis AFB, bringing national perspective to her teaching ✈️📖

Before entering education, Lexia served 5 years in the US Army, earned her undergrad in 4–8 ELAR from Hardin-Simmons University, and even released an album while living in Nashville 🎶 (Check out TUBAlieve!).

Lexia holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Angelo State University and has completed advanced coaching and speaker training through the Ziglar Institute.

Welcome back to Sweetwater, Lexia—we’re so glad you’re here! 🍎📘

📣 Join us in welcoming Marsha Wells to Sweetwater ISD! 💙🍎 Marsha is stepping into her first year as a classroom teacher, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on board! She brings 7 years of experience as a substitute teacher, 3 years as a tutor, and 3 years as an instructional aide. 👏 With a master’s degree in English and an emphasis on ESL, Marsha is passionate about helping students thrive and communicate with confidence. ✍️🌟 We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Mustang family.

📚 Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Jennifer Jost! 🍎 We are excited to welcome Jenni Jost to the Sweetwater Intermediate School family, where she will be teaching 5th Grade Math this coming school year! Originally from San Angelo, Jenni is relocating from San Saba and is thrilled to be closer to family. With an incredible 26 years of teaching experience, she brings a deep well of knowledge, energy, and dedication to her classroom. Jenni believes strongly that building meaningful connections with students, colleagues, and parents is the foundation for a successful and impactful school year. Her passion for teaching and her warm personality make her a fantastic addition to our district. Jenni shared that she’s eager to bring her enthusiasm, experience, and heart for education to her new role in Sweetwater. Jenni isn’t coming alone—she’s moving with her husband, Chris Jost, who will be joining the Sweetwater High School coaching staff. They are also bringing their two sons, Jayden (13) and Ryder (11), who are ready to become proud Sweetwater Mustangs! Please help us give the Jost family a warm welcome to our community. We’re so happy to have you here!

🏫 Welcome Back to Sweetwater, Coach Logan Sharp! ⚽🏃‍♀️ We’re thrilled to announce the return of Coach Logan Sharp to Sweetwater High School, where he will be teaching and taking the lead as the Girls' Soccer and assistant Cross Country Coach! Coach Sharp is no stranger to Sweetwater. From 2020 to 2023, he was an integral part of our athletics program, serving as our soccer coach and helping grow our student-athletes both on and off the field. His passion for the game and commitment to excellence left a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back on campus. A talented athlete himself, Logan played collegiate soccer at the University of Texas Permian Basin, where he honed the leadership and technical skills that continue to guide his coaching today. He rejoins us from Abilene ISD, bringing fresh experiences, renewed energy, and a deep dedication to our Mustang community. Please help us give Coach Sharp a warm Mustang welcome home! 🐎 We look forward to a fantastic season ahead in both soccer and cross country under his guidance.

🎉 Welcome Home, Leigha Price! 🎉 Please join us in giving a big Mustang welcome to Leigha Price, who will be joining Sweetwater Middle School as our new Registrar! Leigha is no stranger to Sweetwater—she was born and raised right here and is a proud graduate of Sweetwater High School, Class of 2000. Her journey in education began as the secretary to the Transportation and Maintenance Director at SISD, and since then, she has built a rich and dynamic career spanning 17 years across multiple school districts. Leigha has worn many hats with grace and dedication, including: 🖥️ Receptionist 📊 Data Clerk 🗂️ Campus Secretary 📋 Registrar 📎 PEIMS Secretary 💃 And even Drill Team Director for four unforgettable years! She has served in various roles at Heritage High School (Frisco ISD), Early Elementary, Early High School, and Southside Elementary (Palestine ISD)—bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and a heart for students and staff alike. We are thrilled to have Leigha back in Sweetwater, and we can’t wait to see the energy and experience she brings to our team. Welcome back to the Mustang family, Leigha!

✨ Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Kimberly Hicks! ✨ Please join us in giving a warm Mustang welcome to Kimberly Hicks, who is bringing her passion for helping children into a new and exciting chapter as a Speech-Language Pathologist! Kimberly is transitioning from a successful career in dental hygiene, where she worked closely with pediatric patients—many of whom had developmental disorders. It was through these meaningful interactions that she found her calling to support children in a different, but equally powerful way: by helping them communicate more effectively. Driven by a desire to see every student succeed, Kimberly is focused on helping children thrive both academically and socially through improved speech and language skills. Her dedication and heart for service make her a wonderful addition to our team. We’re thrilled to welcome Kimberly to the Sweetwater ISD family and can’t wait to see the positive impact she will make! 🐎❤️🎉

🌟 Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Evie Serrano! 🌟 We are proud to welcome Evie Serrano to the Mustang family as a Teacher at Sweetwater Middle School! Evie brings over 16 years of experience in education, all served at the same campus—a true reflection of her dedication and passion for student success. She began her journey in 2009 as a teaching aide, where she gained deep insight into supporting diverse learners. Since 2017, she has flourished in a full-time teaching role, known for her compassionate, inclusive, and individualized approach to education. Now settled in Sweetwater, Evie is excited to call our community home. She is the proud mother of two adult children actively pursuing their academic goals, a loving stepmother to two more adult children, and a proud grandmother to two adorable granddaughters. Evie’s passion for equity, lifelong learning, and student growth makes her a wonderful addition to Sweetwater Middle School and our entire district. Please join us in giving her a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎❤️

📚✨ Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Kristi Murphy! ✨📚 We are thrilled to welcome Kristi Murphy to the Sweetwater ISD family! Kristi joins us from San Saba Elementary and will be teaching 4th grade math at Sweetwater Intermediate School. She brings with her a passion for helping students grow in their confidence and love for learning—especially when it comes to math! Kristi is making the move to Sweetwater alongside her husband, Webb Murphy, who will be teaching and coaching at Sweetwater High School. We’re excited to have this dynamic duo join our district and contribute their talents both in the classroom and on the field. Please help us give Kristi a big Mustang welcome as she begins this new chapter with us. We’re so happy to have her on the team! 🐎❤️

🎉 Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Kellse Nelson! 🎉 We’re excited to welcome Kellse Nelson (formerly Cornett) back home and into the Sweetwater ISD family! Kellse is returning to her hometown with a heart full of Mustang pride and a strong background in education. She brings several years of valuable experience, most recently serving as a Special Education Inclusion/Resource teacher in Denton ISD for two years. She also worked as a paraprofessional and spent three years as a substitute teacher, gaining insight across all grade levels. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Child Life and Development, Kellse is deeply committed to supporting students not only academically, but emotionally and socially as well. Her passion for inclusion, advocacy, and relationship-building shines through in everything she does. Join us in giving Kellse a heartfelt welcome back to Sweetwater and a warm hello to the Mustang family! 🐎

🌟 Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Amy Smith! 🌟 We are thrilled to welcome Amy Smith to our Sweetwater ISD family! Amy grew up in West Texas and, after spending the last 7 years in East Texas, is excited to be back in the west to kick off her 18th year in education. With experience teaching grades 2 through 8, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge, versatility, and passion to her new role. She’s especially excited to be returning to the middle school level, where her energy and experience will undoubtedly make a positive impact on our students and school community. Help us give Amy a warm Mustang welcome as she embarks on this exciting new chapter! 🐴

🎓 Welcome William G. Holloway to Sweetwater High School! 🐴 Sweetwater ISD proudly welcomes William G. Holloway as the new Assistant Principal of Sweetwater High School! Mr. Holloway brings a leadership style grounded in relationships, service, and student success. His mission is clear: to foster a safe, inclusive, and empowering campus culture where every student is known, valued, and challenged to reach their full potential. Before joining Sweetwater ISD, Mr. Holloway served as the College and Career Exploration Teacher and CTE Department Head at Clyde Junior High School, where he spearheaded career-readiness programs, led instructional initiatives, and supported technology integration to elevate student engagement. Mr. Holloway is also a retired U.S. Air Force Maintenance Superintendent and recruiter, having served 20 years in roles that emphasized leadership, accountability, and mentorship. These experiences have shaped his thoughtful, mission-driven approach to educational leadership. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Quality Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trident University International, along with multiple Texas certifications: Principal (EC–12), Core Subjects (4–8), and ESL Supplemental. Outside of school, Mr. Holloway enjoys life with his wife of 26 years, who is also a dedicated educator in Special Education and Core Subjects. They are proud parents of twin daughters and doting grandparents to a beloved granddaughter—the light of their lives. Please join us in giving Mr. Holloway a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎👏

🌟 Welcome Back, Hailea Boehler! 🌟 Sweetwater ISD is excited to welcome Hailea Boehler back to our team! Hailea will serve as a Program Aide for Head Start at Southeast Early Childhood Center, and we couldn’t be happier to have her rejoin the Mustang family. Hailea originally served as a paraprofessional at Sweetwater Intermediate School from 2019 to 2022, where she made a lasting impact on students and staff alike. She then brought her dedication to student support to Taylor Elementary in Abilene as a teacher's aide. Most recently, she stepped in as a substitute at Sweetwater Middle School before taking some time away from education to focus on her most important role—being a stay-at-home mom. Now, Hailea returns to Sweetwater ISD with a fresh perspective, a compassionate heart, and a continued commitment to helping our youngest learners grow and thrive. Please join us in giving Hailea a heartfelt welcome back! 🍎

🏀 Welcome Coach Chris Jost to Sweetwater ISD! 🐴 Sweetwater ISD is thrilled to welcome Coach Chris Jost as our new Girls Athletic Coordinator and Head Girls Basketball Coach! Coach Jost brings a wealth of experience and an outstanding track record of success to our Mustang family. Just last year, he celebrated a major career milestone—his 500th career win—while leading the LaPoynor Lady Flyers to the 2A Division 1 State Semifinals in East Texas. Beyond the court, Coach Jost is a dedicated family man. His wife, Jenni, will be joining the team at Sweetwater Intermediate School, and their two sons, Jayden (13) and Ryder (11), are excited to become part of the Sweetwater community. We’re excited about the energy, leadership, and championship mindset Coach Jost brings. Let’s give the Jost family a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎🏀

📣 Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Vicki Mercer! We are excited to welcome Vicki Mercer to East Ridge Elementary, where she will be teaching 2nd grade! Vicki brings with her 11 years of experience in educational settings, having served in a variety of roles in both Breckenridge and Merkel schools—including as a cafeteria worker, special education paraprofessional, library aide, substitute teacher, and receptionist. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to serving students in every capacity. During her time in Merkel, Vicki also completed her student teaching, further preparing her for the classroom. Most recently, she achieved a major milestone, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University this May! Vicki’s dedication, hands-on experience, and academic excellence make her a wonderful addition to the Mustang family. We are thrilled to have her at East Ridge! Welcome aboard! 🐎

📣 Join us in Welcoming Melanie Villagomez to Sweetwater ISD! We are thrilled to welcome Melanie Villagomez to Sweetwater ISD, where she will be teaching at Sweetwater Middle School! Melanie is a proud 2018 graduate of Merkel High School and a 2022 graduate of McMurry University, holding a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is certified by the Texas Education Agency in Core Subjects EC-6, Science of Teaching Reading (STR), and English as a Second Language (ESL). For the past three years, Melanie has served as a second-grade teacher at Bassetti Elementary, where she built strong foundations for student success through her passion and dedication. Now, she brings her enthusiasm for learning and student growth to Sweetwater Middle School, and we are excited to see the positive impact she’ll make in this new chapter of her teaching journey. Welcome to the Mustang family, Melanie! 🐎

Parents! Please remember that all incoming 7th, 9th and 11th graders will need to complete a physical to be eligible to participate in sports or marching band for the 2025-2026 school year. Athletes that may have had an injury during the 2024-2025 school year must also have a physical regardless of grade. All athletes need to have their information updated in Rank One. Please sign in and complete the medical history form, etc. at https://sweetwaterisd.rankone.com

📣 Welcome to the Team, Zuri Williams! Sweetwater ISD is proud to welcome Zuri Williams as a new Program Aide at Southeast Early Childhood Center for our Early Head Start program! A proud 2017 graduate of Sweetwater High School, Zuri has always been driven by a deep desire to help others and be a positive influence in the lives of those around her. Her heart for service and her commitment to uplifting others make her a wonderful addition to our early childhood team. Zuri is eager to make a lasting impact on both our students and the greater community—and we couldn’t be more excited to have her begin this journey with us. Welcome back to Sweetwater ISD, Zuri! We’re so glad to have you. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang!🐎

📣 Welcome Back to Sweetwater ISD, Mr. Steven Reese! We are excited to welcome back Mr. Steven Reese, a passionate educator and leader, to Sweetwater ISD! Mr. Reese began his career supporting students outside of traditional classroom settings and has dedicated his professional life to helping all learners thrive. He has served as principal of alternative and accelerated campuses, as well as specialized campuses for students with special educational needs. One of the most unique chapters of his journey includes serving as principal for four Native American schools in the Upper Kuskokwim region of Western Alaska—an experience that deeply enriched his perspective and leadership. Mr. Reese’s history with Sweetwater ISD dates back to 2012, and most recently, he made a meaningful impact as a Life Skills teacher during the 2023–2024 school year. His return brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and commitment to student success. We are proud to have him back as part of the Mustang family! 🐎