Cindy Tierney
Lufkin ISD is undergoing several staff changes for the upcoming school year. With the announcement of Mr. Danny Whisenant taking the position as the new principal at Lufkin Middle School, Lufkin ISD administration has chosen Mrs. Cindy Tierney to fill his role as the Director of Middle School Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Tierney comes from Anderson Elementary where she was the principal for the past five years.
Cindy Tierney began her career with Lufkin ISD as a second grade teacher at Dunbar Primary in 2000. She has since held numerous leadership positions in the district including Literacy Coordinator, GEAR UP Coordinator, Herty Primary Principal, and most recently Anderson Elementary Principal.
Mrs. Tierney received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and two Master’s of Education degrees, one as a Reading Specialist and another in Educational Administration, all from Stephen F. Austin State University.
She is currently serving as State Secretary for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA,) serving Texas Pre-K-8 school leaders, and she is actively involved in Lufkin’s First United Methodist Church. Cindy is a past president of the Junior League of Lufkin and the Lufkin Rotary Club. She currently serves on the Kurth Memorial Library Board and is the Corresponding Secretary for the Junior League Sustainers.
Mrs. Tierney was selected as Region 7’s TEPSAN of the Year in 2016 and Lufkin ISD’s Principal of the Year in 2017. She is married to Jim Tierney, and they have two children, Kayla and Kyle.
She said, “This is an exciting time for Lufkin Middle School, and I am honored and thrilled to serve the students, staff, and parents in this capacity. Our community has made an incredible investment into our district, and we have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that each child has an exceptional learning experience at Lufkin Middle School.”
With Mrs. Tierney stepping into her new role at Lufkin Middle School, Mrs. Amy Fain who was the Instructional Coach at Brandon Elementary, has been selected as the Anderson Elementary principal.
Amy Fain has been with the district for twelve years. Her first assignment was on the Anderson campus as a third grade teacher. In 2014 she became the Instructional Coach at Trout Primary and most recently the Instructional Coach at Brandon Elementary.
Amy Fain
As well as serving as an Instructional Coach, Mrs. Fain has been the Lufkin K-4 summer school principal for two years. During her employment with the district, she served on various committees and was a graduate of the district’s first Leadership Academy. Prior to her employment with Lufkin ISD, she taught second, third, and fourth grade for Coppell ISD in the Dallas Metroplex for 17 years.
Mrs. Fain earned her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in Elementary Education. In 2012, she attended Stephen F. Austin State University and received a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Mrs. Fain and her husband, David, have been married for 25 years. Their son, William, will be a senior at Texas A&M University this year. They are members of Lufkin’s First Baptist Church and enjoy playing golf and attending A&M sporting events.
Mrs. Fain said, “I am so thrilled about the opportunity to lead the Anderson campus. I know there are big shoes to fill with the previous leaders at this elementary campus; however, while working for LISD I have been blessed to having been exposed to — and experience — what great leadership looks like. Anderson is very special to me, and I feel sure the same pride and traditions will continue for many years to come.”
Stepping into the role as Instructional Coach on the Brandon Elementary campus is Mrs. Sheila Skelton who has served as the HOSTS (Help One Student To Succeed) coordinator.
Mrs. Skelton has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English and a specialization in Reading from Abilene Christian University. She is certified to teach grades 1-8, and has her Gifted & Talented certification.
Sheila Skelton
Mrs. Skelton began her career teaching third grade for three years in Waco, fourth grade for three years in Hudson, and is beginning her 14th year at Lufkin ISD.
During her time at Brandon Elementary, she taught third grade GT and academic classes, and has been the Director of the HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) Reading Lab for the past five years. As the HOSTS director, she was responsible for testing every incoming third grader for reading proficiency and maintaining a community mentor base of approximately 130 volunteers. She has served on the Lufkin ISD curriculum-writing committees, the Brandon CEIC committee, Lufkin ISD Campus Communicator committee, and has been a UIL Coach.
She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Lufkin, and a member of the First United Methodist Church. Mrs. Skelton and her husband, Scott, have two daughters both graduates of Lufkin ISD, Lauren Skelton Ford, 2013 graduate and Allison who graduated in the spring.
Mrs. Skelton, said, “I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to serve as the Brandon Instructional Coach. We have an exceptional staff at Brandon, and I love them like family. I am excited to work with Mr. Keith, and the administrative team to support our students and staff and to continue the extraordinary learning environment that has been the tradition at Brandon Elementary.”
Lynn Torres, Superintendent of Lufkin ISD, is very pleased with all of the changes for the 2018-2019 school year.
She said, “At Lufkin ISD, we hire the best and that is evident when we have positions that come available and are able to fill those positions with talented, well-educated staff members that are prepared and ready for these opportunities. I know the middle school will do well under Mr. Whisenant’s direction and with the experience that Cindy Tierney brings to the table, the administration at LMS is a dream team. I’m also proud that we were able to fill the principal position at Anderson Elementary with someone who knows and loves kids. Mrs. Amy Fain has proven herself time and time again as an advocate for children, and I just know the staff, students, and parents will love having her as their principal. Mrs. Sheila Skelton is the perfect choice for the Instructional Coach position at Brandon Elementary. Her extensive experience in the classroom gives her the advantage of knowing what teachers need and lead them in what’s best for kids. I’m excited for all of these positive changes for Lufkin ISD.”