Waxahachie High boasts three new assistant principals. We spoke to them about their experience in education and goals for their time at WHS. This new leadership to WHS is in addition to this year being Principal Jacob Perry’s first full year on campus as head principal. 

WHS Administration Team

In addition to these new leaders to WHS’ administration team, Mr. Tony Escoto moved into the associate principal role this school year. Mrs. Jennifer Burkhalter-Foley, Mr. Eric McCarty and Mr. Blake Harrison completes the team by bringing their own skills and experience to the halls of WHS in their roles as assistant principals.

Mr. Joshua Perry, assistant principal

Mr. Perry described his experience coming to WISD from Milford to start the Dual Credit chemistry program. 

Perry said his goals for WHS are to receive a state recognition on STAAR in the science department and building a team environment between teachers. 

“My passion is making teachers better,” Perry said. He said he also values relationship building with students. 

“(One example is) getting to talk with kids that think they’ve always been viewed as a bad child and talking them through that and letting them realize that they’re not a bad child,” he said. Building rapport is essential between administration and students. 

Mrs. Anteneshia Jones, assistant principal

Mrs. Jones started the MHMR pathway in college and ended up coaching at Duncanville. She originally joined WHS with Coach June Villers starting as a coach but said, “When I came here, I loved it and knew this would be the place I wanted to become an assistant principal.”

Jones said her number one priority is being able to transform the Special Education department. Because of her previous experience working in 6A schools and seeing small schools transition to large schools, she has knowledge of what is needed to strengthen the SPED department.  

 “I want to help Waxahachie be ahead of some of the things that are to come,” she said. 

Jones spoke about the biggest adjustment she’s had to face since coming to Waxahachie. 

“(It’s) learning how to work with students who don’t know me,” she said.  

Jones said she wants to show students she is on their side and can guide and help them, which can be difficult being a stranger to them at first. 

Mr. Lee Coleman, assistant principal

Mr. Coleman also spoke on the importance of building relationships with students. 

“There are specific life circumstances that every student deals with so how I want to make a difference is being able to relate,” he said. He spoke on administrators being alongside students during transitional moments in their lives. Coleman said high school can be a difficult time, but still a time to be valued. 

“Sometimes we forget these are some of the coolest years of our lives,” he said. 

“I want students to know that we’re in this together and I want to help them reach whatever that next thing is,” Coleman said. 

From being a pastor, teacher and an assistant principal, Mr. Coleman says it has been a massive shift but says, “I do what I was created to do —  I just sometimes change the chair that I do it from.

“I just really want students to feel like they’re valued and these are good years and there’s even better years to come but we may have some things that are in the way right now but we can get past those,” he said. 

Coleman said there are some people designed to stand with teenagers, guiding them and helping them move in the direction that they want to go.

Circular photos of each principal courtesy Waxahachie ISD.