I am honored to serve as the principal of Robert B. Sewell Elementary and to be a part of this incredible school community.

I have dedicated the past 17 years to serving students and families in education, including the last 11 years in Garland ISD. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles, including instructional aide, high school Reading and English teacher, inclusion teacher, 504/Test Advisor, and campus administrator. Most recently, I served as an assistant principal at Sachse High School, and before that, I spent three years as an assistant principal at Classical Center at Brandenburg Middle School.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Governors University and my Master’s degree in Special Education from Lamar University. I continue to grow as a leader alongside Garland educators committed to excellence in public education.

My leadership philosophy is rooted in building strong relationships, supporting students and staff, and creating systems that help everyone succeed. I believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming environment where they feel valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. I am passionate about partnering with families, empowering teachers, and fostering a positive school culture where everyone can thrive.

Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, I married my high school sweetheart, and together we have raised three wonderful children. We are also proud grandparents to two beautiful grandchildren who bring us so much joy.

I am excited to be a part of the Sewell family and look forward to partnering with our students, staff, and families as we continue to build on Sewell’s tradition of excellence. Together, we will ensure that every Seahawk has the opportunity to learn, grow, and soar.

My name is Carrie Hobbs and I am thrilled to join the Sewell Elementary family as one of your new Assistant Principals. I am entering my 19th year in education and my 15th year serving in Garland ISD. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to serve as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and district leadership instructional designer.

Building strong relationships with students, families, and staff is at the heart of everything I do. I believe that when we work together, we create the best opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and succeed.

Outside of school, I am a proud mother of three children who keep me busy and remind me every day of the importance of creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

I am excited to learn, grow, and celebrate alongside the Sewell community as we live out our theme, Sewell Seahawks Soar Together!  I look forward to an amazing year ahead

I feel so blessed to be joining the Sewell Elementary family as an Assistant Principal.  Throughout my career, I have served as a first and third-grade teacher, Dyslexia Learning Specialist, Reading Specialist, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal. These roles have shaped my passion for supporting students, staff, and families to achieve success. Outside of school, I like to spend time with my husband, three children, and our very energetic Rottweiler.  I am truly looking forward to building relationships with students, staff, and families and contributing to the positive culture at Sewell Elementary. 

Hello, Sewell family! My name is Joanette Woods and I am absolutely thrilled to join the Garland ISD community and serve as a part of your administrative team. My journey in education has been a diverse and deeply rewarding one, and I am honored to bring my experiences to the Seahawk family.

My Professional Journey

My career in education began back in 1993 within the field of Career and Technical Education (CTE). After more than two decades of dedicated teaching, I briefly transitioned into corporate America in 2015 to expand my professional horizons. However, my true calling has always been supporting students. I returned to public education in 2021, blending my passion for academic growth with mental health advocacy as an Academic Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Over the years, I have been fortunate to serve public school communities in a wide variety of capacities, including:

• Instructional Leadership: Cosmetology Instructor, Newcomers Program Coordinator
• Campus Operations: 504 Campus Coordinator, Campus State Testing Coordinator
• Student Support & Mental Health: Crisis Intervention Specialist (Elementary), Support Counselor, and High School Campus Counselor

Educational Philosophy & Counseling Approach

I believe that public education must be a dynamic, collaborative force that not only imparts knowledge but also inspires students to become resilient, engaged, and the best possible versions of themselves. Achieving this vision requires intentionally building deep, trusting relationships with students, staff, and our surrounding community. When these connections are established, everyone is empowered to take active ownership of our campus culture, transforming students from passive learners into active, collaborative architects of their own education.

In my counseling practice, I strive to provide a nurturing, person-centered space rooted in kindness where every student feels safe, valued, and seen. Together, we reframe fears into conquerable challenges, building the confidence and self-belief students need to realize just how strong and resilient they truly are. By fostering this inner strength, I aim to empower our students to look past their obstacles and dare to dream bigger for their futures.

Educational Background

I am a proud product of Texas universities, holding a foundation built on both practical application and deep psychological theory:

• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) – University of North Texas
• Master of Science in Training and Development – East Texas A&M University–Commerce
• Master of Science in Counseling – East Texas A&M University–Commerce

Having worked in several school districts throughout my career, I can truly say there is nowhere else I would rather be. I am super excited to be a part of the Garland ISD family—let’s have a fantastic school year! Go Seahawks!

Hello! My name is Alexa Coldewey, and I am excited to serve as the school nurse at Sewell Elementary! I earned my nursing degree from TCU and have been a registered nurse since 2013. I am a certified pediatric nurse and spent 15 years at Children’s Health in Dallas, where I developed a passion for caring for children and supporting families.

My goal is to help every student feel safe, cared for, and ready to learn. I believe kindness, compassion, and open communication help students (and everyone) thrive. I look forward to working with families and staff throughout the school year! 

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three children and dog, serving as a worship leader at our church, and trying new arts and crafts projects! I’m also a big Marvel fan and can’t wait to see the new releases this year!  I am honored to be part of the Seahawk community and look forward to getting to know each staff member, student, and family!