McKinney, Texas – Slaughter Elementary has chosen veteran elementary educator Marina Byrd as the school’s new assistant principal.

Byrd is no stranger to Slaughter; she has served there as a bilingual instructional coach for the past three years, and with 23 years in elementary education behind her, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new position.

The job became available last month when then-Assistant Principal Erika Echegaray accepted the principal position at Finch Elementary.

Suzy Woodard, MISD assistant superintendent of elementary student support, was pleased with the campus’s decision. “Marina has a strong vision for how to support kids and teachers and is passionate about education,” she said.

“Marina was selected over a number of very qualified applicants from McKinney ISD’s elementary and middle schools,” said Slaughter Principal Nick DeFelice. “For the past three years Marina served as an academic coach at Slaughter, so it was a natural fit for her to be chosen as the new assistant principal. It is exciting to have someone who is already familiar with the kids, staff and community. She will do a great job.

“We are fortunate to be in a district that has a proven training system for those who aspire to be a building administrator,” added DeFelice, in reference to Byrd’s past participation in the district’s Aspiring Administrators Institute which prepares qualified educators from within the district to take the next step in educational leadership.

“Being chosen as the assistant principal for Earl H. Slaughter Elementary … is a tremendous honor for me,” said Byrd. “Slaughter is a great place for students, and I am so proud to be a part of this excellence. As an educator for 23 years, I understand the importance of a connection to our community. I look forward to working alongside the Slaughter Family and continuing the tradition of being ‘In It Together.’”

Byrd came to MISD in 2001 from Dallas ISD to serve as a bilingual first grade teacher at Finch Elementary. After four years at Finch, Byrd transferred to Malvern where she served nine years as a bilingual instructional coach before moving over to Slaughter.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Sul Ross State University and her master’s degree from Concordia University.

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