Shelly Slaton
Lufkin ISD Superintendent Lynn Torres announced that Shelly Slaton will take the position of Assistant Superintendent for Education Services and Accountability. She will lead the District Education Center, which supports curriculum and instruction for the district. Barbara Lazarine, who held the position previously, is retiring from the district after 36 years in education.
Mrs. Slaton is a homegrown educator with 24 years experience in education. She began her career as an elementary teacher and then taught at the middle school level focusing on developing literacy skills with struggling readers. She served as a high school counselor for five years before coming to Lufkin ISD in 2004. Mrs. Slaton worked as the senior counselor at Lufkin High School in 2004. She then served on the Lufkin High School Administration team as an Assistant Principal for ten years and as the Associate Principal for the last five years. She received the Region 7 Assistant Principal of the Year Award in 2012. This award is nominated and chosen by peers within each region and nominations are based on outstanding leadership and exemplary performance.
Mrs. Slaton is a Lufkin native and graduated from Lufkin High School in 1992. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in three years with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology. In 1995, she earned her teaching certificate at Sam Houston State University. She then attended Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) and was awarded a Masters of Counseling and school counselor certification in 1999. In addition, Mrs. Slaton holds a State of Texas Professional Counselor Supervisory license in which she utilizes to mentor and support the role of the school counselor. She also completed the Educational Leadership Program at SFASU, receiving both her principal certification and her superintendent certification.
She said, “I was born a Lufkin Panther and have never wanted to be anything other than a Panther. My professional goal continues to be the same, to be a role model of life-long learning and a helper to all. I am excited about this opportunity and I promise to always put our students and staff at the heart of all I say and do. There’s no place like home and no where I would rather be than Lufkin ISD.”
In addition to being involved in education on a day-to-day basis, Mrs. Slaton is also a community leader. She has served on numerous boards, including being the 2007-2008 president of the Junior League of Lufkin.
Superintendent Lynn Torres said, “Mrs. Slaton will be an excellent leader for our school district. She has had experience as an elementary and middle school teacher, and we all know her success and work ethic at Lufkin High School. I am excited to add her to our team.”
Mrs. Slaton was married to the late Brent Slaton for twenty years, and they have one son, Mack Montgomery Slaton, who attends Lufkin Middle School.