McKinney, Texas – Today, TEPSA (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association) announced that Reuben Johnson Elementary Assistant Principal Rachel Corbin has been named the 2022 National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas. But, Corbin won’t have much time to enjoy the award before her title changes from AP to principal.

Following the recent announcement from Press Elementary that Principal Rachel Constantinescu would be leaving Press at the end of the school year for another opportunity in education, Corbin became McKinney ISD’s choice to be Constantinescu’s successor. The decision was approved by the Board of Trustees Tuesday night at their April meeting.

With 24 years in education and 10 years of instructional leadership experience, Corbin brings a broad range of experience to her new leadership role at Press that includes expertise in assessment, curriculum, special education and ESL.

“Rachel is outstanding in every way,” said Suzy Woodard, MISD Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Student Support. “She has a solid background of working with a variety of student and community needs, and doing what is most beneficial for students is at the heart of everything she does. She is an excellent communicator and a tireless problem solver. During her time as assistant principal at Reuben Johnson, Rachel has developed great systems and structures, and she has an exceptional ability to bring data to life to tell the story about a child’s growth. We are very excited to have her as the principal at Press Elementary.”

TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart’s sentiments echoed Woodard’s in his comments on why Corbin was chosen as the National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas. ”Rachel is a truly supportive leader – confidently disseminating critical student data to her team to improve instruction and learning while never losing sight of what’s best for her students and teachers.”

The National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas award is sponsored by TEPSA in coordination with the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The peer-selected award recognizes assistant principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning. Criteria include:

1. A commitment to excellence and exceptional leadership as evidenced by student achievement and programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students, 2. Firmly established community ties and respect from teachers, students, and the community, 3. Exceptional leadership in a particular school program.

“Growing up, I was raised to work hard and do your best at whatever you do, not for notoriety or for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do,” said Corbin of receiving the recognition. “When I was named Region 10 AP of the Year, I was already lost for words. This honor is simply unbelievable. I have never seen myself as special or out of the ordinary. I just try to do my job responsibly and honorably, working to the best of my abilities, like all educators do. Learning and growing, trying and falling, reflecting and refining… all in the best interest of our children and for our future. I am deeply honored to represent Reuben Johnson Elementary, McKinney ISD, and all the incredible educators in the state of Texas. But, as not one thing I do is done in isolation and without the support of my team, my staff, my district and my educational network, I share this honor with the tribe that advises me, teams with me, trusts in me, and fights right alongside with me for the sake of our children. Thank you, TEPSA, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

Corbin began her career in 1998 as a third grade teacher in a small school district outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Her talent was quickly noted, and she soon moved into leadership roles, serving on the principal’s advisory committee and as the district grade level coordinator. Before long, Corbin was called upon to write and select curriculum for the district and served as vice president of the local teacher association.

Inspired by these forays into leadership roles, Corbin earned certification in elementary and secondary school management and rounded out her 11-year tenure as a teacher in Ohio by serving on the Ohio State Department of Education Teacher Evaluations committee. In that setting, she teamed with various state, college and district officials to develop a new state-wide evaluation system for public school teachers.

2009 brought a change in locale for Corbin when she and her family moved to Texas, but her career soon resumed its upward trajectory. She was hired as a third grade teacher in Richardson ISD, and by 2012, Corbin was chosen as the RISD Teacher of the Year. She moved into administration as an elementary assistant principal and also served as president of the Richardson Education Association. In 2015, Corbin was named RISD’s Assistant Principal of the Year.

She came to McKinney ISD in 2017 to join Principal Michelle Baumann’s leadership team at Reuben Johnson Elementary as assistant principal. Since then, her time at RJE has focused on refining the MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) program lent to elevating other programs such as special education and ESL, as well as instructional practices such as differentiation and small group instruction.

She has also served as a district administrative work group leader and has been the MISD elementary summer school principal for three years. This spring, TEPSA named Corbin the Region 10 Assistant Principal of the Year, only to select her as the National Assistant Principal a few months later.

“My move to McKinney ISD has been the best decision I’ve made in my career,” said Corbin. “I have been so fortunate to find a work home that matches my professional beliefs and goals. My experience in McKinney ISD and my partnership with Michelle Baumann and the RJE family have tremendously impacted my growth as a servant leader in education, and I will forever be grateful for my Johnson Jaguar family and community. I am very thrilled to join the Press community and appreciate this opportunity to continue to grow with Press pride. The honor to join the distinct educators of Press Elementary is immeasurable, and I am so eager to learn from the best of MISD.”



TEPSA, whose hallmark is educational leaders learning with and from each other, has served Texas PK-8 school leaders since 1917. Member owned and member governed, TEPSA represents more than 5,900 members who direct the activities of more than 3 million PK-8 schoolchildren.

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