People Watch
School Administrator, November 2021


Christine Fowler-Mack

Christine Fowler-Mack is the new superintendent in Akron, Ohio, after spending eight years as chief of portfolio planning, growth and management in Cleveland, Ohio. In the latter district, Fowler-Mack also spent time as chief of new and innovative schools and strategic initiatives and chief of staff. For six years, she earlier was the assistant superintendent in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. She held several principalships in various Ohio districts and began her teaching career in Akron in 1989. She has been an AASA member since 2006.


Rene Sanchez

Rene Sanchez has accepted the superintendency in Champlain Valley, Vt., after previously working since 2019 as assistant superintendent for operations in the 17,000-student South Bend, Ind., district. Sanchez spent six years as principal at César E. Chávez High School in Houston, Texas, and has held other principalships in various Texas districts. He began as a high school English and social studies teacher. Sanchez received his Ph.D. from Indiana State University. He has been a member of AASA since 2019.

Angela Von Essen

After 11 years as assistant superintendent for business, operations and human resources for West Valley School District 208 in Yakima, Wash., Angela Von Essen has been named superintendent in Kittitas, Wash. She also served as superintendent intern in West Valley while participating in the Washington State University Educational Leadership Program. Previously, Von Essen worked as business manager in various Washington school districts. Her career began in 1990 as an auditor for the Washington State Auditor’s Office. Von Essen has been an AASA member since 2018.

Brian Yearwood

Columbia Public School District in Missouri has selected Brian Yearwood as its new superintendent. Previously, he was the chief operations officer for one year and assistant superintendent for academics and accountability for four years in Manor, Texas. Yearwood also has been assistant superintendent in Wharton, Texas, and Lamesa, Texas. In Lubbock, Texas, Yearwood held several principalships and began his career in 1990 as an athletic coach. He received his Ed.D. from Texas Tech University.







APPOINTMENTS
Karen Cheser, from superintendent, Fort Thomas, Ky., to superintendent, Durango, Colo.
Peter Giarrizzo, from superintendent, North Shore Public Schools, Sea Cliff, N.Y., to superintendent, Mount Pleasant Central School District, Thornwood, N.Y.
Edie Martin, from assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction to superintendent, Millsap, Texas
Paula Patterson, from deputy superintendent of academic services, Sheldon Independent School District, Houston, Texas, to superintendent, Crosby, Texas
Thomas Randle, from superintendent, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, Rosenberg, Texas, to executive superintendent, Texas Association of School Administrators
Heather Sanchez, from executive director, Bellevue, Wash., to superintendent, Leander, Texas
Cade Smith, from superintendent, Brock, Texas, to superintendent, New Braunfels, Texas
Gayle Stinson, from superintendent, Lake Dallas. Texas, to superintendent, Birdville Independent School District, Haltom City, Texas
Patrick Winters, from assistant superintendent, Exeter Township School District, Reading Pa., to superintendent, Twin Valley School District, Elverson, Pa.