Albany schools welcome new staff
By Lynsi Musselman
On Tuesday, the 477 Albany Independent School District students returning after the winter break saw all the familiar faces across the district, as well as three new ones.
One new face is Albany ISD’s new superintendent, Daryl Stuard, who officially started on Monday. Mr. Stuard has been on campus and at AISD events, getting to know staff and students since being named in early December. He was previously the superintendent at Bremond ISD for 14 years and has been in education for 32-plus years.
Albany Junior Senior High Principal Ezra Chambers said he is glad to have the experience Mr. Stuard brings. “I have enjoyed hearing from the new superintendent and learning about some of his educational philosophies,” Chambers said. Stuard and his wife, Kori, also his high school sweetheart from Eastland, will live in Albany. In addition, the couple is building a lake house on Lake Leon where they are avid fishermen.
Also joining AJSH on Monday is new junior high English teacher Brad Thompson. While Mr. Thompson is new to this role, he is not new to AISD. Thompson served as the Head Boys Basketball and Golf coach, as well as the junior high science teacher from 2007 to 2011. Thompson also taught and coached in Throckmorton from 1999 to 2006, alongside our new superintendent Mr. Stuard during the 1999-2000 school year. Both Thompson and Stuard coached and taught current AISD school board member, Matt Bellah, during their time in Throckmorton.
“Thompson brings a lot of experience to this junior high position, loves kids, and will do a great job in Albany,” Chambers said. The position of junior high English teacher was vacant for two months while a thorough candidate search was performed
Last but not least, Nancy Smith Elementary School welcomes Sarah Rodriguez as a new special education and inclusion paraprofessional. Rodriguez comes with two and a half years of experience from Breckenridge ISD. She is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in early childhood through sixth grade from McMurry University in Abilene.
“NSES is fortunate to have the additional support in special education so we best serve all of our student population,” NSES Principal Jenci Chambers said. Rodriguez lives in Breckenridge with her husband and three children, one daughter and two sons.
