UTSA education alumna, Brandeis principal Geri Berger named Texas High School Principal of the Year

Geri Berger

By David Thompson
Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

(Dec. 15, 2010)--Geri Berger, two-time UTSA alumna of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS), principal of Brandeis High School in the Northside Independent School District, and UTSA lecturer, was named 2011 Texas High School Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).

Berger received her M.A. in education (educational leadership concentration), Texas principal and superintendent certifications, and Ed.D. in educational leadership, all from UTSA. She was selected for this high honor in the annual statewide competition sponsored by TASSP, the professional association for secondary school principals in Texas.

"I am very grateful to both UTSA and the Northside ISD for the professional development and the opportunities to lead," said Berger. "UTSA provided me with the educational foundation for my career; Northside ISD then presented me with numerous opportunities to utilize my leadership skills. Throughout my administrative career, I have been fortunate to work with phenomenal people who are genuinely concerned about the well being of students."

After being nominated for the award, which judges practicing principals in the areas of collaborative leadership, personal excellence, curriculum/instruction/assessment and personalization of the school environment, Berger was named Outstanding Secondary School Principal, Region 20.

She then competed at the state level with 19 other secondary school principals and, during the recent Thanksgiving holiday, was named one of three finalists for the award. Berger then interviewed before a panel of judges and learned Monday, Dec. 6 that she is the TASSP high school principal of the year.

Before serving as founding principal of Brandeis High School, Berger was principal of Business Careers High School in the NISD and as vice principal and assistant principal at O'Connor High School. Her teaching experience includes service as an English teacher at both O'Connor and Marshall high schools, all in NISD.

Among her many distinctions, she has served on the statewide Academic Decathlon Committee and as a member of the Northside ISD Foundation Advisory Committee.

Berger completed her Ed.D. in 2009, under the mentorship of ELPS Professor Alan Shoho.

Events

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholars' Spring Celebration

This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main Campus

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Thursday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Walk

Roadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Friday, May 17, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement: Ceremony Two

Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Submit an Event

Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.