Sweetwater ISD

✨ 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! 🐎

📣 Welcome to Sweetwater ISD, Carmen Crane! We are thrilled to welcome Carmen Crane as our new Director of Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)! Carmen brings with her an impressive 21 years of experience in education, including 9 years as a campus principal at TLCA and Abilene ISD. Most recently, she has served as a TIA consultant at the Region 14 Education Service Center, where she supported districts in building strong systems to elevate and reward excellence in teaching. Her dedication to empowering educators and her passion for student success make her an incredible asset to our team. We are excited to see the impact she will make at Sweetwater ISD as she leads our TIA efforts with vision, experience, and heart. Please join us in giving Carmen a warm Mustang welcome! 🐎

🎉 Welcome Back to Sweetwater ISD, Marina Wilcox! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Marina Wilcox, M.Ed. is returning to Sweetwater ISD as our new Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE)! Marina began her journey in education right here in Sweetwater in 1991 as a dedicated classroom teacher. Since then, she has built an impressive 33 year educational career, with 18 years of focused leadership in CTE, serving in Colorado City ISD, Roscoe Collegiate ISD, and Texas State Technical College. Her passion for student success and workforce readiness has consistently driven innovation and opportunity in every district she’s touched. We are excited to welcome her home and can’t wait to see the impact her experience and vision will have on the future of CTE in Sweetwater ISD. Welcome back, Marina – we're glad you're here! 💼📚🐍

🏫 Congratulations, Carolyn Mullican! 🏫 We are honored to recognize Carolyn Mullican for an outstanding 35 years of service to Sweetwater ISD! Carolyn’s journey has been one of growth, impact, and leadership. From her many years in the classroom, to her role as Assistant Principal at Sweetwater Intermediate School, and now as the newly named Principal of Southeast Elementary, she has consistently led with integrity, passion, and purpose. Carolyn has poured her heart into every role she’s held—teaching with excellence, leading with compassion, and always putting students first. “35 years of service reflects a legacy of learning, leadership, and Mustang pride that will continue to inspire generations.” We are grateful for Carolyn’s unwavering dedication and proud to celebrate her incredible milestone and new chapter at Southeast!

🎉 Congratulations, Jody Foster! 🎉 Today we proudly celebrate Jody Foster for an extraordinary milestone—30 years of dedicated service to the students, families, and staff of Sweetwater ISD! As a beloved teacher at East Ridge Elementary, Jody has spent three decades shaping young minds, building strong foundations, and creating a warm, supportive classroom where students are encouraged to grow, dream, and succeed. Her passion for education, steady leadership, and caring heart have made her a cherished role model and mentor—not just to students, but to colleagues as well. “30 years of service is 30 years of impact, inspiration, and Mustang pride—one student at a time.” Thank you, Jody, for your unwavering commitment to learning, laughter, and love in the classroom. You are a treasured part of the SISD family!

🎉 Congratulations, Deanna Clowers! 🎉 Today we honor Deanna Clowers for reaching a truly remarkable milestone—30 years of service with Sweetwater ISD! Deanna is the heart and hustle of our Business Office, but her impact goes far beyond any one title. Whether managing staff records, answering calls, solving last-minute challenges, or supporting staff across the district, Deanna wears many hats and wears them all with grace, grit, and a can-do spirit. From timesheets to pep talks, spreadsheets to smiles, Deanna has been a steady, trusted presence for three decades. Thank you, Deanna, for everything you do—seen and unseen—to keep SISD strong. We are so grateful for your loyalty, leadership, and heart!

🎉 Congratulations, Joe Ann Buff! 🎉 Today we celebrate an incredible milestone—25 years of unwavering dedication, care, and impact from Joe Ann Buff! For a quarter of a century, Joe Ann has been a cornerstone of the Sweetwater ISD community—giving her time, talent, and heart to support generations of students, families, and colleagues. 📚 Her commitment to excellence and her steady presence have made a lasting difference in countless lives across the district. Whether in the cafeteria, the office, or behind the scenes, Joe Ann has always gone above and beyond. Twenty-five years of service is more than time—it’s a legacy of love, loyalty, and Mustang pride. Please join us in thanking Joe Ann Buff for her incredible contributions and celebrating this amazing achievement! 👏

SISD recognizes Sonya Davison for an incredible 20 years of service in the Sweetwater ISD Technology Department! For two decades, Sonya has been a driving force behind the digital transformation of our district—leading with vision, solving complex challenges, and empowering teachers, students, and staff with innovative tech solutions. Her leadership has not only kept us connected, secure, and supported—it has paved the way for a future-ready learning environment across Sweetwater ISD.