Administrators | Crockett Early College High School

Principal's Office

Shana King - Interim Principal

Shana King, Principal

ph. 512-414-2532 ext. 72081

Mrs. King holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. She fell in love with Crockett in college while working as an intern in the science department. She worked as a Science Teacher, Instructional Specialist and Cheerleading Coach for several years and transitioned to the role of Assistant Principal in 2018 and Academy Director in 2022. Outside of the school day she enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, showing her Cougar P.R.I.D.E. at athletic and fine art events, working out, and relaxing in nature.

Assistant Principal's Office

Eric Ortmann, Assistant Principal - 10th Grade (Cohort 2028)

ph. 512-414-2532 ext. 72001 (Google Voice 512.777.1768)

email: eric.ortmann@austinisd.org

Cynthia Julian, Assistant Principal - 9th Grade (Cohort 2029)

ph. 512-414-2532 ext. 72028 (Google Voice 512.593.8693)

email: cynthia.julian@austinisd.org

Ms. Julian is proud to support Cougar Class of 2025 and 2027 (freshmen with last names that start with A-F). She grew up in the greater Houston area in the small town of Richwood, Texas. She attended University of Houston-Clear Lake and started her teaching career at the high school she graduated from, Brazoswood HS. Later, she moved to the Austin area where she taught Algebra all the way to Calculus and attended graduate school at Texas State University (Go Bobcats). Five years ago, she made her way to Crockett ECHS where she worked as teacher and instructional coach in the math department. In 2020, she began her position as an assistant principal for the class of 2023 and is excited to work with a small group of them again as they near the end of their high school careers and walk across the graduation stage. When she is not spending time with her students she enjoys being with family and friends and going to yoga.

Candace Black, Assistant Principal - 12th Grade (Cohort 2026)

ph. 512-414-2532 ext. 72010

email: candace.black@austinisd.org

Ms. Black is a passionate educator dedicated to helping students discover their best selves so they can share their greatness with the world. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Texas (2014) and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas State University (2023). Her journey in education began as a student teacher at Crockett in the Spring of 2014. For nearly a decade she had the privilege of serving as a math teacher and coach at Crockett. In 2021, she became the Math Department Chair and has recently accepted the challenge of being an Assistant Principal at Crockett to support both students and teachers in their educational journey. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends as well as indulging in too much TV.

Susie Smith, Assistant Principal - 11th Grade (Cohort 2027)

ph. 512-414-2532 ext. 70036

email: susie.smith@austinisd.org

Ms. Smith is from a small town in Texas and graduated from El Campo High School. Ms. Smith has worked in education with Austin ISD for the past 15 years. She started her educational career as a high school math teacher and has been an administrator for the past 8 years. She graduated from Texas A&M University and the University of Texas, so she is an Aggie and a Longhorn. She believes in making sure that every student gets what they need to be successful and in working together with staff and parents to help students reach their full potential. This is Ms. Smith's first year at Crockett Early College High School and is excited to be part of the community.

Caitlin Kender, Academy Director, ECHS Admin

ph. 512-414-2532 ext. 57511

email: caitlin.kender@austinisd.org

Ms. Kender is originally from Lubbock,TX where she played volleyball in college before making her way to the DFW area as a Special Education Teacher's Assistant, middle school AVID teacher and coach, then AVID District Director. In 2021, she joined Austin ISD as a Professional Learning Coordinator and then as Assistant Principal at Eastside ECHS. Ms. Kender also serves as an AVID Staff Developer for AVID Center training educators in the Fostering Equitable & Engaging Classrooms and Site Leaders communities of practice. In her free time, you can find her outside with her three dogs, on Facetime with her 2-, 5- and 6-year-old nieces and nephew, playing volleyball and enjoying time with her wife (who's also an AISD Assistant Principal!).