As part of recent leadership retirements and the hiring of new assistant superintendents, RISD has appointed new Learning Community leaders. These assignments place experienced, student-centered leaders across the district’s Learning Communities to strengthen collaboration, support campuses, and advance the district’s North Star goal: Every student, teacher, and leader will meet or exceed their academic growth goal.
The Learning Community Area Superintendents are as follows:
- Berkner Learning Community – Michael McDonald
- Lake Highlands Learning Community – Dr. Jordan Simmons
- Pearce Learning Community – Dr. Susan Burt
- Richardson Learning Community – Chris Gibson
These assignments reflect RISD’s commitment to strong leadership structures that support schools with the guidance needed to drive exceptional outcomes for students. The district remains focused on building meaningful relationships, strengthening systems, and ensuring every Learning Community is positioned for success. The district also continues to place new principals at campuses that have had principals transition into new roles in the district or have retired.
New principal announcements include:
- Crystal Kemp – Forest Meadow Middle School
- Carrie Greer – Liberty Junior High
- Sarah Dye – Wallace Elementary
- Carissa Schwarzlose – Dover Elementary
As several RISD campus principals transition into new roles in the district or retire, the district continues to place new principals at campuses that have had principals transition into new roles in the district or have retired.
In addition, Jennifer Forshier, current principal at O. Henry Elementary, has been promoted to serve as the new Executive Director of Multilingual Education. RISD will begin the process, including a reflector committee, to select the next principal to lead O. Henry.
From Student to Principal of Liberty Junior High
Former Liberty Junior High student Dr. Carrie Greer will return to her alma mater as principal beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Dr. Greer brings more than 24 years of experience serving students, staff, and families in Richardson ISD. She currently serves as principal of Yale Elementary, where her leadership has helped earn distinctions including recognition as a Solution Tree Model PLC campus, designation as an AVID National Demonstration Elementary campus, and an “A” rating from TEA. She has led efforts focused on collaborative learning communities, instructional coaching, data-informed practices, and building strong college and career readiness foundations.
Her experience includes roles as principal, assistant principal, campus math specialist, summer school principal, classroom teacher, and research assistant. Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening instruction, supporting staff development, and creating systems that improve student outcomes.
“I am honored to return to the school I attended many years ago as a student,” said Dr. Greer. “Returning to the campus that sparked my love for learning is a true full-circle moment. I look forward to leading the community through its middle school transformation and the development of the new Liberty Middle School.”
Dr. Greer earned her Doctor of Education from Texas Tech University and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Lamar University. She holds certifications as a superintendent, principal, school counselor, and educator.
She is passionate about developing future leaders and creating learning environments where students and educators can thrive through collaboration, strong relationships, and continuous improvement.
Berkner HS Associate Principal Promoted to Principal of Forest Meadow MS
Crystal Kemp, current Associate Principal at Berkner High School STEM Academy, will step into a principal position at Forest Meadow Middle School beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Crystal D. Kemp is a Richardson ISD home-grown educator and leader. With more than 15 years of experience in RISD she has established a strong reputation for building systems, cultivating meaningful relationships, and creating school environments where students and staff thrive. Her leadership reflects a balanced approach that combines instructional expertise, operational excellence, and a commitment to developing people.
Throughout her career, Kemp has served in a variety of leadership roles across RISD, including Assistant Principal at Parkhill Junior High, Assistant Principal Intern at Pearce High School, and Summer School Principal at Forest Meadow Middle School. Her impact and leadership were recognized when she was named RISD Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year for the 2022–2023 school year.
Kemp began her educational journey in athletics as a coach and coordinator, where she developed a passion for mentorship, leadership development, and helping students reach their full potential. Those experiences continue to influence her leadership philosophy, which is grounded in teamwork, accountability, and strong relationships.
She earned a Master of Science in Sports Leadership from Concordia University Chicago, a Master of Science in Athletic Administration from Ohio University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing from the University of Kansas, where she was a standout student-athlete and member of the women’s basketball team.
Known as a collaborative and student-centered leader, Kemp is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, empowering others, and creating opportunities that support student success. She believes strong school communities are built through shared leadership, high expectations, and ensuring every student has access to the experiences and support needed to grow and succeed.
New Principal Announced for Wallace Elementary
Sarah Dye, current Principal at Audelia Creek Elementary, will move to Wallace Elementary beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Principal Dye brings over two decades of dedicated experience in education, a proven track record of student success, and a deep-rooted commitment to the Richardson ISD community. Under her strategic leadership and data-driven decision-making, Audelia Creek achieved an impressive 10-point increase in its accountability performance within a single school year. Known for cultivating a culture of high expectations, robust student growth, and strong staff collaboration, she has consistently focused on increasing instructional rigor while building a positive, inclusive school culture.
Her leadership journey in Richardson ISD also includes serving as an Assistant Principal at Brentfield Elementary (2019–2023) and Aikin Elementary (2016–2019). In these roles, she mastered daily campus operations, spearheaded grade-level Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), championed restorative discipline practices, and built vital partnerships between schools and families.
Before stepping into administration, Principal Dye spent a decade as an instructional leader and classroom teacher. She served as an RISD Instructional Coach and a Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) Master Teacher at Audelia Creek Elementary, mentoring educators to refine their instructional strategies. Her career began in the classroom as a third-grade teacher. As an educator, she was recognized as a “Hall of Fame Teacher” in the publication Make Me Learn: Reading TAKS Strategies and achieved a flawless 100% student pass rate on state reading and math assessments both at Audelia Creek and early in her career at Thomas J. Rusk Elementary.
Principal Dye holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, and she carries Texas Certifications as both a Teacher (EC-4) and a Principal (EC-12).
With her extensive background in instructional excellence, collaborative leadership, and community engagement, Principal Dye is eager to partner with the students, staff, and families of Wallace Elementary to continue building a community where every student thrives.
New Principal Announced for Dover Elementary
Carissa Schwarzlose, current assistant principal at Richardson West Junior High Arts and Technology Magnet will be the Principal at Dover Elementary beginning 2026-2027.
Carissa Schwarzlose is a dedicated and student-centered educational leader with a strong record of instructional leadership, campus innovation, and cultivating school communities where students and staff thrive. She has played a key role as Assistant Principal at Richardson West Junior High Arts and Technology Magnet, in strengthening academic systems, supporting student success, and fostering a culture of excellence.
Since joining Richardson West in 2018, Schwarzlose has led a broad range of campus initiatives and responsibilities, including serving as Campus Testing Coordinator, Academic Dean across multiple content areas and programs, Campus Crisis and Safety Coordinator, and administrator for key student support systems. Her leadership extends across curriculum implementation, professional development, staffing, student discipline, community engagement, and operational management. She is recognized for building strong relationships, developing systems that support both students and staff, and creating environments where all learners are empowered to reach their full potential.
Schwarzlose’s commitment to innovation and student well-being is reflected in her many accomplishments, including creating Richardson West Junior High’s Relaxation and Reset Room and helping lead the campus to recognition as an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction and the newest JH named an AVID National Demonstration School. Her excellence in leadership has also been recognized at the district level, earning her the 2024–2025 Richardson ISD Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year honor and previous recognition as an Assistant Principal of the Year nominee.
Prior to her administrative career, Schwarzlose served as a Special Education Department Head and teacher at both J.J. Pearce High School and Richardson North Junior High, where she also coached cheerleading and developed a foundation of instructional leadership and student advocacy.
Schwarzlose holds a Master of Education in Administration from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education from Providence College, where she graduated magna cum laude. She holds certifications in Principal EC–12, Special Education EC–12, ESL EC–12, and Generalist 4–8 and remains actively involved in professional leadership organizations and district initiatives focused on continuous improvement and student achievement.
