Advancing innovative educational opportunities so every learner can thrive in an evolving world.
UT Public Schools unites three distinct schools within UT Austin's College of Education. For more than 20 years, these schools have helped The University of Texas meet its mission of service, while giving UT students a vital bridge between research and practice.
Leader
Executive Principal
Read about the day NASA came to UT Elementary (opens in a new tab)“As UT Austin's research demonstration school, UT Elementary pairs innovative, university-based research with the close relationships of a small community school.”
Quality & Research
Principal Investigator, SHINE study
“When I came to UT Austin's Meadows Center as a postdoc, I was really interested in seeing how spelling could be a vehicle to improve reading for these older elementary students.”
Source: Research Study Could Spell Student Success, Annual Report p. 8
Read about the UT Austin study inside a UTES classroom (opens in a new tab)Student
UTES alumna, now UT Austin senior
“UT Elementary taught us so many things — you felt like you could do it all.”
Source: From Little Longhorn to Advocate, Annual Report p. 7
Read about the UTES student now graduating from UT Austin (opens in a new tab)
Leader
Assistant Superintendent
“At UT Charter School, we serve students who have unique needs, talents and gifts. Every decision we make, every lesson we adapt and every moment we invest in our students becomes a thread in the fabric of their future.”
Source: UT University Charter School section opener, Annual Report p. 12
Read about a system built around 23 very different campuses (opens in a new tab)Quality & Research
Social Work Coordinator
“Kids don't learn when they don't feel safe. It's just a basic function of being human.”
Source: Building Trust Before Teaching, Annual Report pp. 14–15
Read about the neuroscience behind UT Charter's classrooms (opens in a new tab)Student
Teaching intern, Pathfinders campus
“Students are still learning who they want to be and who their role models can be. Teachers can really make a big impact during that phase. I like to believe in all my students!”
Source: UTUCS Intern Jonathan Frausto Perales, Annual Report p. 17
Read about UT Charter's first College of Education intern (opens in a new tab)
“We don't know the situations of these kids. So we always keep positive intent and ask, 'How can we help you?'”
GED to PhD at UT Austin, now runs UT Charter's online program for students aging out of care or finishing in-patient treatment. Graduated its first 10 students in year one.
Read about the program giving students a second chance (opens in a new tab)
“Most of our kids do really well because our teachers modify their teaching and accommodate their learning needs.”
Runs three simultaneous campuses: a neurorehab center, a trauma-focused camp for boys from foster care, and a competitive gymnastics program.
Read about the educator recognized statewide (opens in a new tab)
Texas Diploma, International Diploma, and Independent Courses
Leader
Superintendent
“There is something incredibly special and unique about this community, the people and the mission. I’ve already seen firsthand what a talented and committed group of people this is.”
Source: Dr. Whetstone, on joining UT High School
Read about the district built to change the world (opens in a new tab)Quality & Rigor
Junior, distance runner
“UT High School is important to me because it allows me to pursue my dreams of running Division 1 in college and going to the Olympics.”
Source: highschool.utexas.edu/news, “Junior Gavin Matias is Running Full Speed Ahead”
Read about training for Division 1 on a UTHS schedule (opens in a new tab)Student
Miss Texas' Teen and Texas Diploma Program student
“I needed a school that allowed me to pursue my passions without sacrificing academic excellence.”
Source: A Crowning Achievement for Emma Fossum, Annual Report p. 28
Read about the UTHS junior now crowned Miss Texas' Teen (opens in a new tab)View the full UT Public Schools organizational chart
Daniel Hamlin, Ph.D.Dean, College of Education
Victor Sáenz, Ph.D.Associate Dean for Student Success, Community Engagement, and Administration
Debra Cantú, Ph.D.Executive Director, UT Public Schools“Leadership is what turns potential into real growth. I'm a first-generation graduate who found my way to UT Austin and never really left. Leading these three schools at this unified moment, with the University's collaborative power behind us, is exactly the work I've spent my career preparing for. Our potential to change the world with what starts here has never been greater.”
Laura Estep, Ph.D.Chair, UT Elementary School Management Board
Jennifer Maedgen, Ph.D.Chair, UT Charter School Advisory Board
Cinthia Salinas, Ph.D.Chair, UT High School Advisory Board
Nicole Whetstone, Ph.D.Superintendent, UT Public Schools
Barry BacomAssistant Superintendent, UT High School
Autumn Leal-Shopp, Ed.D.Assistant Superintendent, UT Elementary & UT Charter School
Kim PenridgeExecutive Assistant
Jennifer MontoyaExecutive Assistant
Jenny DavisSenior Director of Business and Finance
Dan DiehlDirector of Independent Learning and Strategic Partnerships
Melissa FreemanDirector of District Programs
James GarzaTechnology Director
Amy Gonzales, Ed.D.Director of Research
Kristina HuffDirector of Curriculum and Instruction Operations
Julie JoeselDirector of Student Services
Ileana MendezDirector of Testing Services
Bob MicksHuman Resources Manager
Jason MolinDirector of Marketing & Communications
Lori MooreDirector of Information Technology
Shelley NixDirector of Development
Patrick PattersonDirector of Leadership Coaching
Tamara PorrasDirector of Graduation Pathways
Janina Roberts, Ed.D.Director of Special Programs
Veronica Ruiz-Winner, Ph.D.Director of Academics and Professional Development
Sharon YarbroughStrategic Initiatives Manager
Lori AcreaExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Lisa AnguianoExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Oscar ArroyoEducational Programs Director, UT High School
Carlos CaroAssistant Principal, UT High School
Maricela De La Cruz, Ed.D.Executive Principal, UT Charter School
Holly EnglemanExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Darnell Horton, Ed.D.Principal, UT High School
Ashley JohnsonExecutive Principal, UT Charter School Online
Raul KastnerExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Ryan MayAssistant Principal, UT Elementary School
Christeen McMahonExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Michelle MeisterExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Gigi MurimiExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Dustin PayneAssociate Principal, UT High School
Kris Ann SchmidtExecutive Principal, UT Charter School
Lara Wilder, Ed.D.Executive Principal, UT Elementary SchoolWorld-class education for every learner.