It is an honor to be at Hillcrest PDS Elementary School as its newest principal. I’m very excited to continue my journey as the next leader of Hillcrest’s amazing campus. My wish is to lead with the heart of a mother, mind of an educator and spirit of a servant leader. I've served in education for nearly 20 years, more than half of which at Lake Air as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. I began my career in Conroe ISD as a fifth- and sixth-grade math and science teacher at Travis Intermediate School and then began teaching seventh and eighth-grade math and coached girls' sports at Peet Junior High. I joined Waco ISD in 2009 as a sixth-grade math teacher at Lake Air Intermediate School.

I received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lamar University, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington, and Principal Certification from Lamar University. 

In addition to my role as an educator, I am the mother to three children, Aiden (16), Lillie (15), and Macy (11). They are very active young people with interests in band, soccer, basketball, track, and acrobatics. 

As we plan for a new school year, our focus will be to ensure that:

• every child, every day feels valued,
• every child, every day is being empowered and challenged by new learnings and experiences, and
• every child, every day knows they have a champion they can count on.

I look forward to working with HPDS students and families to create a positive, learning environment for all. Please feel free to contact me haley.dean@wacoisd.org