story by Dwight Henson and Reesha Brown
PISD Communications
Pasadena ISD recently named Lindsey Lesniewski of Gardens Elementary and Jeremy Richardson of Pasadena Memorial High the 2019 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year, respectively.
A graduate of Valley City State University, Lesniewski first discovered Pasadena ISD when she and her husband Jason were recruited by former Fisher Elementary Principal Libby Escalante at a job fair in North Dakota in 2001.
She worked as a fourth and fifth teacher at Gardens from 2001-2008. In May 2008, she accepted the role of peer facilitator at Fisher Elementary until she was hired as an assistant principal at Frazier Elementary in August 2009. In 2013, the Texas Elementary Schools and Principals Association named her Texas Assistant Principal of the Year. She has served as principal at Gardens since February 2014.
"Every day, each staff member here at Gardens walks into the building and gives their heart and soul to our students," said Lesniewski. "I am beyond blessed to be part of a dedicated group of individuals working together to build a school for our community that students and parents can be proud of."
A Dobie graduate from the class of ’95, Richardson has served the students of Pasadena ISD for 18 years. He returned to his alma mater in 2002 to teach world geography and government while also coaching football, soccer and golf. In 2009, he assumed the role of assistant principal at Memorial until the conclusion of the 2015-16 school year. Since then, he has served students at Pasadena Memorial as the school’s principal.
"I am very honored and humbled to be named the secondary principal of the year, especially when you consider the many amazing administrators we have in the Pasadena ISD family," said Richardson. "I credit all of our amazing teachers, staff, students and stakeholders for me receiving this honor and I look forward to what we can continue to accomplish together in the future."
Superintendent of Schools Dr. DeeAnn Powell recognized both principals during an administrative council meeting at the Orozco Professional Development Center on Tuesday.
"Under their leadership, Lindsey and Jeremy have fostered a culture of success in their school community that is deserving of the highest praise a school district can give a principal," said Powell. "We are thankful for their outstanding leadership, dedication and everything that they do for students and staff."
Pasadena ISD recently named Jeremy Richardson of Pasadena Memorial High and Lindsey Lesniewski of Gardens Elementary the 2019 Secondary and Elementary Principals of the Year, respectively.