Rosemont PTA
Class is back in session, and a wave of new faces are joining the hallways of our neighborhood’s schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Nine schools in District 7 are welcoming new Principals to their campus, according to Dallas ISD.
Here are the Oak Cliff schools under new leadership this year.
Hogg New Tech Center: Toni Molina
According to a biography page on the Hogg website, Molina is a West Dallas native and Moisés E. Molina High School alumnae. Molina joined DISD in 2016 with 15 years of teaching experience under her belt.
John F. Peeler Elementary School: Irazema Lopez
Peeler Elementary’s website had not been updated with information about Lopez as of Aug. 16.
Nancy J. Cochran Elementary School: Cassel Gray
Gray was recognized earlier this week by DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde in a Principal Spotlight. Elizalde highlighted Gray’s commitment to student safety, seen in his habit of riding the bus home with students.
Leila P. Cowart Elementary School: Christina Rodriguez Dimanh
Rodríguez Dimanh is an alumnae of the School of Education & Social Services Magnet at Townview Center, and the daughter of Dallas ISD educators. She has taught English to students abroad, and has taught in several DISD schools including Sunset High School.
Lida Hooe Elementary School: Jose Lopez
A newsletter introducing Lopez states that Lopez is joining the Hooe Elementary staff after more than 18 years in the education field. Born in Mexico and raised in North Carolina, Lopez has lived in Japan and France before coming to Dallas, and speaks five languages. Lopez was a bilingual teacher in DISD for eight years before pursuing a career as a campus leader.
Rosemont Lower – Chris V Semos Building: Katie Benningfield
Benningfield has been in DISD classrooms since 2014, and was named DISD Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2020. Benningfield takes over as Principal for the Rosemont lower campus school after serving as Assistant Principal in 2022.
Rosemont Upper Campus School: Stephanie Munves
Munves comes to Rosemont with the experience of 13 years in DISD classrooms. Growing up in Dallas, Munves knew she wanted to be a teacher in the third grade, a biography says.
L. O. Donald Elementary School: Keidra Thompkins
Peeler Elementary’s website had not been updated with information about Thompkins as of Aug. 16.
Hall Personalized Learning Academy at Oak Cliff: Jaime Rosario Vargas
Rosario Vargas has been a DISD educator since 2014. In 2018 he joined Lenore Kirk Hall’s campus, and was instrumental in converting the school into the Hall Personalized Learning Academy.
