Jennifer Collier Named New Tomball Star Academy Principal

TOMBALL - Tomball ISD is excited to announce Jennifer Collier as the new Principal of Tomball Star Academy. She will take over for Dr. Kelly Marchiando, who has accepted her new role as the Principal of Tomball Intermediate School for the 2023-2024 school year.

“We are excited to welcome Jennifer Collier to Team Tomball as the new Principal of Tomball Star Academy,” said Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent of Schools. “Her extensive secondary school leadership experience coupled with her focus on student success makes her a great fit for our Early College High School. She will join a school community that is committed to excellence in all ways, passionate about the future success of its students, and understands the value of true collaboration. As the 2023 H-E-B Excellence in Education Secondary Principal of the Year in Texas, we are confident she will make an immediate impact on the students, staff and teachers she leads, and we look forward to her joining our team very soon.”

Named the 2023 H-E-B Excellence in Education Secondary Principal of the Year for Texas, Collier brings over 20 years of experience to education, specifically at the secondary level.

She joins Tomball ISD directly from Spring Branch ISD where she has served as Principal of Spring Woods High School since 2016. During her time leading this comprehensive high school, she was named the 2020 and 2023 Spring Branch ISD Secondary Principal of the Year and a nominee for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Secondary Principal Nominee four of the last five years, with the top honor coming in 2023. Led by her collaborative mindset, she guided her school through the PLC process, led an Instructional Leadership Team as well as focused on vertical and horizontal alignment. She also served on district committees, including Program of Studies and CTE.

Prior to her stint as Principal at Spring Woods High School, Collier served as the Director of Westchester Academy for International Studies. In this role, she was responsible for instructional programming and coaching and saw great success as the leader of one of the top-ranked charter schools in Texas.

Before taking on this Director role, she spent time as the Associate Principal (2011-2013) and Assistant Principal (2008-2011) at Spring Woods High School. Not only does Collier bring an extensive background in campus leadership but as an Assistant Band Director at the middle school level (Spring Forest Middle School, 2005-2008; Memorial Middle School, 2003-2005) as well. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Lamar University, her Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Houston.

Collier and husband, Nate, have been married for 18 years and are residents of the Tomball community.  They have two children, Jackson and Allie, who have attended Tomball ISD schools since 2016, specifically Wildwood Elementary, Oakcrest Intermediate, Willow Wood Junior High, Grand Lakes Junior High, and now Tomball Memorial High School.

What was intriguing about joining Tomball ISD as a campus leader?
“I was intrigued to join Tomball ISD because of their commitment to providing a high-quality education and a supportive and collaborative work environment. As a campus leader, joining a district with such a strong reputation for excellence is very exciting and motivating.   I know that Tomball ISD is a growing district with a diverse student population which presents unique and exciting opportunities and challenges for campus leaders to make a meaningful impact on the lives of their students.”

What do you know about Tomball Star Academy and what do you look forward to most about leading that campus?
“I know that Tomball Star Academy is known for its innovative and rigorous approach to education, and the incredible culture that feels like family.  Through rigorous instruction and incredible teaching, Tomball Star opens doors for students and provides opportunities that allow students to soar into their future, prepared for their next journey in life.  I am excited to lead such an incredible campus that focuses on the strengths, potential, and gifts of every child.  I am also extremely excited about the new P-TECH program and supporting as well as growing this amazing program.”

What is it about education that you love so much? 
“How long do you have?  What I love about education is the opportunities that it provides for students to achieve their goals and succeed in life. I love that as an educator, I am able to be a part of a community that creatively and strategically removes and pushes through barriers with and for children so that they can be successful.  There is no better job in the world than being a teacher.”

What can the TSA school community expect from you as their leader? 
“The Tomball Star Academy can expect that I will be a transparent, creative, supportive, and collaborative leader who will work hard to ensure that every child is successful.  I also love to be strategic and organized which involves planning well ahead of time so that faculty and students always feel informed and involved in the school experience.”

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates nearly 22,000 students at 22 campuses.