Bee Cave Elementary School Principal
Deanna McParland, who was selected as the new principal for Bee Cave Elementary School effective July 1, grew up in the Houston area before graduating with a bachelor's degree in education from The University of Texas, where she later received her master's degree.
She served as a third-grade teacher in Leander ISD for nearly seven years before becoming a math facilitator, middle school principal and elementary school principle with both LISD and Austin ISD. McParland, who takes over for Janie Braxdale, was most recently the principal for Kocerek Elementary School in AISD, a role in which she said she felt she made a difference.
"Each year for four years we made academic gains," she said. "That is something you hope for—progress in achievements."
What do you hope to bring to Bee Cave Elementary School?
Bee Cave already has some outstanding [test] scores. Are there areas we can improve? Sure.
What I will be doing is looking to see if there are any new ideas out there. I want to see what things are like [at the school] when I get there, and we can go from there. I have a general idea [of what I would like to do], but the minor details will be discovered when I get there.
Is there any competitiveness to make BCES the best elementary school in the district?
There is always competitiveness. We joke about it. I [spent time with] a group of principals of Southeast Austin schools, and we had friendly competitions.
At the same time you want what is best for your school. You want the school to improve, but it isn't a one-man show. You have to see what the community wants and what the teachers want. There has to be observation.
You can't just say, 'OK, we are going to stay put.' You don't want to be stagnant, but at the same time you have to work with the community and the teachers, and it takes time to get everyone going in the same direction.
How do you deal with the high expectations of working in a district such as LTISD?
When I interviewed for the job I really had to tap back into my background. What I know is it is important to provide service face-to-face. I've lived that as a teacher, and I have enough administration experience to know how to deal with that.
"Scores will improve as long as your work is data-driven and you are open to continually tweaking the process.
How will you incorporate technology into the school?
With any technology you are using, it really gives you options. You have to look and see if there is a type of technology that allows us to learn in a better or more creative way. You shouldn't use technology for the sake of using technology. It has to enhance your work.
When teachers are creating lessons, they have to keep that in mind. Any project-based learning has to be accessible for teachers.
From the superintendent
"This was a highly competitive [hiring] process that began with reviewing more than 80 employment applications," Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Brad Lancaster said.
"Deanna possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience that I believe will support a successful transition in leadership at Bee Cave Elementary," he said.
"This is a great opportunity for staff to work in tandem with its new principal to define common goals and objectives that will best serve students as well as strengthen school-community partnerships and parental involvement.
"This is an exciting time at Bee Cave Elementary," Lancaster said.
