Woodland Heights Elementary is one of the four Brownwood ISD elementary schools that will see new teachers and grade levels this year as students are welcomed back to school. The campus, located in southern Brownwood at 3900 4th Street, will now host PK-5th grade students, bringing new energy to the school. “We are looking forward to welcoming 4th and 5th grade to our campus, as well as three-year-olds to our PK program,” said Woodland Heights Principal Jeanette Lancaster. “We have several new staff members, and they are all so excited to be a part of the Woodland family. With the addition of new grade levels, we are able to add some fun things that we haven’t been able to do before, like Student Council.”

This will be Lancaster’s fourth year as Principal at Woodland Heights and her 23rd year in education. “I started as a 5th-grade teacher at Kearny Elementary in Raton, NM,” said Lancaster. “I taught there for three years. I moved to Lubbock and taught a variety of grade levels during the nine years that I worked there. During that time, I earned my master’s degrees.” Lancaster holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tarleton State University, a Master’s in Educational Administration, and a Master’s in School Counseling from Lubbock Christian University.

“When I moved to Brownwood, I taught 3rd grade for one year at Woodland Heights,” noted Lancaster. She then served as the school counselor at Northwest Elementary for three years before returning to Woodland Heights as the assistant principal. Lancaster was promoted to principal the following year. “Being the Principal at Woodland Heights has been the greatest privilege and blessing for me. To have the chance to work together with a top-notch group of educators to provide the highest quality education for our students is an amazing opportunity.”

The leadership at Woodland Heights also includes Assistant Principal Kassie Russell, who was recently awarded Region 15 Assistant Principal of the Year at the summer Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) conference. Russell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tarleton State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. “This will be her fourth year as an assistant principal and her second year at Woodland Heights,” said Lancaster. “In her off time, she loves to barrel race with her horse, Sugar!”

“Mrs. Russell has added a great energy and enthusiasm to our campus and has been an asset to Woodland Heights in every way,” added Lancaster. “The staff trusts her, and the students love her. We love getting to lead Woodland Heights together.”

Woodland Heights parents and students can look forward to a great year with new teachers, events, and plenty of school spirit. “At Woodland Heights, we love our parents and families,” said Lancaster. “We look forward to these increased leadership opportunities for students and increased opportunities for parents to be involved with our efforts here at school. Parents have asked for increased communication, and we have listened. We look forward to rolling out some new ways of providing information so that our parents and families will always feel informed. If you have not done so already, like and follow our Woodland Heights Elementary Facebook page for great parenting information and event reminders.”

Parents and students will also be able to meet Woodland Heights leadership at an event coming in August. “Be sure to join us on August 2nd for Popsicles with Principals,” said Lancaster. “This will be held at Coggin Park with PK-2nd grade from 4:00-5:00 pm and 3rd-6th from 5:00-6:00 pm.”

Even with all the exciting changes, the students remain the primary focus at Woodland Heights Elementary. “I am very proud of the way we strive to educate the whole child by providing and responding to their social and emotional needs,” said Lancaster. “Our end goal is to partner with parents to grow intelligent and responsible citizens that will make a positive impact on our future world.”

left) Woodland Heights Elementary Principal Jeanette Lancaster and (right) Woodland Heights Elementary Assistant Principal Kassie Russell