McKinney, Texas – Veteran Slaughter Elementary School Assistant Principal Erika Echegaray has been chosen as the new principal of Finch Elementary. The decision was announced at the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees monthly work study meeting Tuesday night. Echegaray brings eight years of administrative experience to her new role.

The transition in leadership follows Becki Hoffman’s recent retirement announcement after 11 years as principal of Finch and 41 years in education. The move will serve as something of a homecoming for Echegaray who served as an instructional specialist at Finch when she came to MISD in 2003.

Erika Echegaray has been chosen as the new principal of Finch Elementary following the retirement announcement of longtime Finch Principal Becki Hoffman.

Erika Echegaray has been chosen as the new principal of Finch Elementary following the retirement announcement of longtime Finch Principal Becki Hoffman.

For MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel, Echegaray was the standout candidate in the talented field of Hoffman’s possible successors.

“I am pleased that we had such a strong talent pool to choose from when filling the Finch Elementary principal position,” McDaniel said. “Many of the candidates currently work in our district in other leadership roles, but Erika stood out.”

McDaniel cited Echegaray’s experience working with a diverse student population as a particular strength, and he praised her character and dedication. “First and foremost, Erika is a quality person with an extremely high level of integrity, and she will bring great energy in her commitment to this new role,” McDaniel said. “We are excited about the level of passion and knowledge with which she will serve Finch Elementary, and we look forward to the continued hard work at Finch under her leadership.”

Echegaray began her career in 1999 as a literacy staff developer at Public School 16 in Corona, New York where she contributed to the design, planning and facilitation of professional development and assisted campuses in instructional assessment. In 2003, she came to MISD to serve as an instructional specialist at Finch and then moved into an administrative role when she was hired as the assistant principal of Slaughter Elementary in 2008. She has served there for the past eight years.

“I am very proud and humbled to have been selected as the principal of Finch Elementary,” Echegaray said. “Being in education for the past 17 years has strengthened my passion for education, and I look forward to partnering with the Finch family to continue the legacy they have created for themselves. Finch has a strong sense of work ethic, and it is due to motivated students and dedicated staff members. As the parent of two kids, ages 9 and 11, I recognize the importance of a home and school connection. I strongly believe that working together, we can provide every child the highest quality education possible and meet every student’s emotional, social and academic need. I am looking forward to a great school year!”

Echegaray holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. John’s University, a master’s degree in reading from Queens College in New York and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University.

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