Dr. Mark Booker - Principal

Dr. Booker's journey in education began in 2006 as a Math teacher at Sellers Middle School. His passion for teaching and dedication to student success soon led him to Schrade Middle School, where he expanded his role to include teaching AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and serving as the AVID Coordinator. After nine years in the classroom, Dr. Booker transitioned into educational leadership, becoming an Assistant Principal at Hudson Middle School for four years. He then continued to North Garland High School for another four years, where he served on the administrative team of the first A-rated high school campus in GISD history. Most recently, Dr. Booker served as the district's inaugural Principal Resident, a role in which he gained valuable insights and experience that have prepared him well for his position at Jackson Technology Center.

 

 

Cassandra Padgett - Assistant Principal, 8th grade

Cassandra Padgett is a dedicated middle school assistant principal who is passionate about fostering academic excellence, supporting educators, and creating a positive school culture where every student can succeed. She believes that effective leadership is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Mrs. Padgett earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology, providing her with a strong foundation in understanding human behavior, learning, and student development. She later earned a Master's degree in Literacy Curriculum Development, strengthening her expertise in curriculum design, instructional practices, and literacy achievement. She also completed her Principal Certification, preparing her to lead schools through instructional leadership, strategic planning, and student-centered decision-making.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Padgett has served in a variety of educational leadership roles, gaining extensive experience in instructional leadership, teacher development, curriculum implementation, student support, and campus operations. As a middle school assistant principal, she works collaboratively with teachers to improve instructional practices through coaching, data-informed decision-making, and targeted professional learning. She is committed to creating systems that support both teacher growth and student achievement.

 

 

Lester Hampton - Assistant Principal, 7th grade 

As Assistant Principal, I bring a deep and lasting commitment to the field of education, both as a classroom educator and as a campus administrator. I see myself first and foremost as a servant leader — someone whose role is to support, equip, and champion the teachers, students, and families I work alongside every day. Leadership, to me, means showing up in service of others: listening closely, removing obstacles, and creating the conditions where both students and staff can do their best work.

I believe in the power of education's ability to transform the lives of our students and their families, now and going forward. I believe that every child can learn to high levels, and that instruction must be tailored to individuality to achieve optimal learning results. Just as I hold high expectations for our students, I hold the same standard for myself: I am committed to being a lifelong learner, continually seeking out new strategies, perspectives, and best practices so that I can better serve our school community. Education is always evolving, and I want to model for our students the same curiosity and growth mindset I hope to instill in them.

I am passionate about supporting our students as they continue building on the foundation set in their first year of middle school, guiding them toward continued growth, confidence, and success. It is a privilege to walk alongside our students, families, and staff, and I remain dedicated to serving this community with humility, energy, and heart.

Michele Querry - Assistant Principal, 6th grade

Michele Querry serves as the Assistant Principal at Jackson Technology Center for Math and Science. With more than 30 years in education as both a classroom teacher and campus instructional coach, she is dedicated to creating an environment where students, educators, and families feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Mrs. Querry believes that every student can achieve at high levels when provided with meaningful opportunities to learn, caring relationships, and high expectations. She is equally passionate about helping educators grow in their practice, recognizing that continuous learning and collaboration among adults leads to greater success for students.

Committed to fostering a positive school culture, Mrs. Querry strives to inspire a shared commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and lifelong learning. She believes that empowering others with knowledge builds confidence, strengthens leadership, and creates lasting opportunities for growth. Her goal is to cultivate a school community where every individual is encouraged to reach their full potential and where success is celebrated through hard work, perseverance, and a belief that improvement is always possible.