(L-R) Reuben Johnson Elementary Principal Michelle Baumann, MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel, RJE Assistant Principal Rachel Corbin and TEPSA Region 10 President Magdalena Garcia at Reuben Johnson Elementary on Feb. 7, 2022

McKinney, Texas – When Reuben Johnson Elementary Principal Michelle Baumann saw that TEPSA (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association) was accepting nominations for the 2021–2022 Region 10 Assistant Principal of the Year, she knew immediately that the clear choice was right in front of her—RJE Assistant Principal Rachel Corbin.

“As soon as I saw the nomination opportunity, I knew that Rachel was the perfect candidate to represent McKinney ISD, our campus and fellow administrators,” Baumann said. “The application process was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on her success after five years at Reuben Johnson Elementary.”

Baumann’s conviction about Corbin was proved right, when on Feb. 7, TEPSA Region 10 President Magdalena Garcia arrived at RJE with a plaque and flowers to surprise Corbin with the news that she had been chosen. Garcia was joined by Baumann, a contingent of RJE fifth graders, MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel and other top MISD officials as they sprang the announcement on Corbin who accepted the recognition with humble gratitude.

“I am beyond words about this honor and still trying to absorb it,” Corbin said later. “I can only give credit to whom credit is due: the tremendous district and school leaders who guide and partner with me, the incredible staff and students who have stood the course with me through thick and thin and to my dear husband and family who truly understand what teachers and educators experience each day. I cannot receive this honor without sharing it with all my colleagues and students, both current and former. You are the ‘why,’ and I only ‘do’ while alongside you.”

Suzy Woodard, MISD Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Student Support, stood in front of the MISD Board of Trustees two weeks later at their February meeting to share the news.

“We were thrilled to learn recently that Rachel has been named as 2021-22 Assistant Principal of the Year for Region 10 by TEPSA!” Woodard said. “TEPSA recognizes everyday heroes making a difference in their school community as well as for their exceptional leadership, and Rachel is definitely outstanding in both of these areas! Region 10 is made up of 81 school districts and 42 charter schools — when the TEPSA president for Region 10 visited RJE to give Rachel the award, I wasn’t surprised to hear her say that Rachel’s nomination stood out from the crowd from the very beginning!”

Corbin came to RJE five years ago with a wealth of experience gleaned from a career that has now spanned 24 years, across two states. While Corbin spent her formative years in Chicago, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Ohio, and it was there that she would remain for the following 11 years as she honed her skills in public education in the Cleveland area.

She moved to Texas with her family in 2009 and took a job with Richardson ISD, where she taught third grade for three years and served as an assistant principal for five years. She was recognized as an RISD Teacher of the Year in 2012 and then as the RISD Assistant Principal of the Year in 2015.
Corbin joined the staff of RJE in 2017, and now she can add TEPSA Region 10 Assistant Principal of the Year to her impressive resume.

The true beneficiaries, though, are the students and families of Reuben Johnson Elementary.

“In her five years at RJE, Rachel has built strong relationships with students, staff and parents, and this recognition is no surprise to them,” Woodard said.

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