McKinney, Texas – Summer will bring new responsibilities but familiar surroundings for Holly Rogers as she settles into her new role as principal of Dowell Middle School.

Rogers, who has served as an assistant principal at Dowell for the past three years, has been chosen to lead the middle school campus of nearly 1,200 students, and the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees approved the decision Tuesday night.

Rogers brings more than 20 years of education experience to the position which became available three weeks ago when Dowell Principal Alan Arbabi accepted the principal job at McKinney High School.

“Holly is an amazing leader and completely prepared to step into the role of principal at Dowell Middle School,” said MISD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Melinda DeFelice. “I am beyond proud of her. She has done an outstanding job as an assistant principal at Dowell over the past three years, and I know she is going to lead the campus to new heights.”

Rogers has been around MISD for some 14 years and possesses a well-earned reputation as a top-notch educator.

She got her start in education in Paris ISD where she taught third grade from 1993–2002. She came to MISD later in 2002 to teach third grade at Vega Elementary and then two years later transferred to the third grade team at Minshew Elementary.

From 2005 – 2007, Rogers served as an instructional specialist at Minshew before moving into an administrative role as an assistant principal at McGowen in 2007. She served in that capacity for six years before moving to Dowell.

“It is a privilege to have been a part of of McKinney ISD for 14 years, and I am honored and humbled to be chosen to lead the wonderful staff and students of Dowell Middle School,” said Rogers. “My vision and goal is to continue to set high expectations and build upon the legacies that have already been established. Through the continued growth and development of relationships within our Dowell family and community, I know we can help foster lifelong learners and increase student achievement.”

Over the course of her career, Rogers has distinguished herself at each stop along her career path. In 1998, she was chosen as the Paris ISD District Teacher of the Year and was chosen as an MISD Campus Teacher of the Year at Vega Elementary in 2003 and at Minshew Elementary in 2005.

Rogers has been called upon regularly to serve as a mentor to talented teachers who show potential as future district leaders through the district’s Aspiring Administrators program. In addition, over the past two years, Rogers has taken part in the Vision Driven Leadership Academy and the MISD Assessment Task Force.

“Holly Rogers is one of our most respected middle school administrators,” said MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel. “She has a background in both elementary and middle school. Her work in coordination with former Dowell Principal Alan Arbabi has served Dowell extremely well over the past three years. She’s earned the right to lead Dowell, and we look forward to great things from her.”
Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on early childhood from East Texas State University in 1997 and a master’s degree in educational administration from Dallas Baptist University in 2005.

“The past three years as assistant principal at Dowell have been a wonderful experience, and I look forward to many more successful years with our current and future Dowell Lions,” said Rogers.

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