LCMCISD honors district principals

Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD is proud of the dedication and leadership shown by the District’s campus administrators, so we would like to recognize these hard-working individuals on National Principal Appreciation Day.

With over 100 years of educational experience between them, LCM Principals bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and training to their positions as campus leaders. District-wide, the principals serve on the Administrative Team, to help direct the educational focus of the District, as well as serve as a resource for the Board of Trustees as they carry on the business of the District.

The LCM Principals have a strong bond and deep respect for one another, District Administration, campus staff, students, parents, and community members, and with true team spirit, all work together to accomplish a cohesive and aligned education for students throughout the District.

The following synopses are just a bit about the individuals who are the campus leaders of LCM.

Buffy Knight, principal of Mauriceville Elementary, received her Bachelor’s Degree from Ouachita Baptist University in 1994 and completed her Master’s Degree at Lamar

University in 2003. She began her teaching career as a fourth grade teacher in the Port Arthur ISD, moving to Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD where she has remained for the past 18 years; all of which have been at Mauriceville Elementary School. During her tenure, she taught kindergarten for the first seven years, followed by four years as the assistant principal, and is currently completing her seventh year as the campus principal. She resides in Mauriceville with her husband of 19 years and their three children.

A graduate of Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, Kayla Casey earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Lamar University in 1997 and began her teaching career at Little Cypress Elementary.

She taught eight years in third grade, and one year in content mastery, then served two years as Campus Coordinator at Little Cypress Intermediate, during which time she completed a Master’s Degree in education.

Ms.

Casey then served for two years as Assistant Principal at Mauriceville Elementary before coming back to Little Cypress Elementary where she is serving her third year as the campus principal.

Kayla, a strong supporter of the LCM School District, resides with her husband and two sons in the Orange area.

Julia Dickerson graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor’s Degree and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership & Supervision.

She has been an Elementary Educator for 19 years at LCM CISD, including being Principal at Little Cypress Intermediate for the past five years.

Her professional affiliations include membership in Theta Psi and Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association.

Julia truly adores working with young children and instilling a lifelong love of learning within them.

She is excited about continuing to serve the community, staff, and students of Little Cypress Mauriceville CISD. She has been married to John Marshall Dickerson III for 27 years.

Todd Loupe is currently in his fifth year as Principal at Mauriceville Middle School. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Lamar University in 1999 and began his career teaching at Stafford High School. After six years in the classroom, Mr. Loupe earned a Master’s Degree in administration from Lamar University. Prior to being named Principal at MMS, he served as an Assistant Principal at Little Cypress Junior High and Little Cypress Mauriceville High School. He resides in Mauriceville with his wife Melissa and their four children. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Mitzi Conn is a native of Orange, Texas. After graduating from Mansfield High School in the Arlington area, Ms. Conn attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from Lamar University, where she also completed her graduate degree in Educational Leadership. With 23 years in education total, Ms. Conn has been employed with LCMCISD since 1992. Before being assigned as principal at Little Cypress Junior High, she served as Campus Coordinator for Little Cypress Intermediate, and Assistant Principal for Little Cypress Elementary.

Dr.

Terri Estes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas A&M University.

She continued her education by earning a Master’s in Science Education from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas and a Master of Education in supervision and administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Dr.

Estes earned her Doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University in 2008.

She holds professional certificates in Composite Science, Virtual Network Instructor, Mid-Management Administration, as well as a Superintendent’s Certificate.

Dr.

Estes began her classroom experience by teaching science at J. Frank Dobie High School in Pasadena, Texas, and was an adjunct professor of Chemistry at Southern Arkansas

University for four years. She has also worked with the teacher certification program at Lamar State College Orange. She began her career with Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD as a teacher at Mauriceville Middle School. Her career at LCM High School includes duties as a classroom teacher and an eight-year assignment as the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Career and Technology Education. Dr. Estes was named High School Principal in 2008.