About the Principal
About the Principal...
Dr. Diana P. Brandon is a lifelong resident and high school graduate of Zapata, Texas. She began her educational career in 1995 and has since worked with Zapata County ISD. Her expertise and knowledge in education has greatly contributed to the academic success of Zapataʼs elementary and secondary schools.
Dr. Brandon taught for 11 years at the high school level where she then became an administrator for the next six years. She served as the School Improvement Facilitator through the High School Redesign Project in partnership with Region One Educational Service Center, the Institute of Research and Reform Education, and the Institute of School Excellence. As a result of school improvement efforts, Zapata High earned a TEA RECOGNIZED status. In 2012, Dr. Brandon joined the Zapata Middle school team as an administrator for the next three years. She served as the TEKS/STAAR Facilitator for two years and Assistant Principal for one year in which the middle school increased in academic performance from Improvement Required to meeting State Accountability standards. Dr. Brandon and a ZMS Team of four attended Harvard Graduate School of Education for School Turnaround Leaders. This leadership conference focused on improving school systems and practices by establishing a school culture (organizationʼs beliefs) of excellence. In 2015-16, Dr. Brandon was appointed Principal of Arturo L. Benavides Elementary School in San Ygnacio, Texas. The campus received a Met Standard rating for the 2016 state accountability and earned two T.E.A. Distinction Designations: Top 25% Student Progress and Academic Achievement in Mathematics. In 2017, the campus received a Met Standard rating for the 2017 state accountability and earned three T.E.A. Distinction Designations: PostSecondary Readiness, Top 25% Student Progress and Academic Achievement in Mathematics. In 2018 and 2019, the campus received a Met Standard rating in the 2018 state accountability and earned three T.E.A. Distinction Designations: Top 25% Academic Growth, Top 25% Closing the Gaps and PostSecondary Readiness. Dr. Brandon proudly continues to serve A.L.B.E.S. as a Principal for the 2022-23 school year.
Dr. Brandonʼs passion for continued professional growth in the educational arena is evident as she continues to acquire the knowledge, skills, expertise, and certifications needed to improve school systems, practices, and policies. Her education history includes: 1995-Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Political Science (Government Certificate) and Reading (Secondary Reading Certificate) (TAMIU), 2004-Master of Science in Educational Administration with 2005-Principal Certificate and 2011-Superintendent Certificate (TAMUK), 2006-Human Resources Studies with 2007-HR Certificate (Cornell), 2014-TEA approved CPE Provider, and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (TAMUK) in 2016.
