TEPSA Election - Lori Gallegos

Candidate for TEPSA Vice President

Lori Gallegos
Northside ISD
Region 20

Current Position

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction, Northside ISD
Region 20, Grades PK-12

Education

Trinity University, M.Ed. in Education Administration: 2000

University of Texas, M.A. in Education Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction: 1995

Texas Lutheran University, B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies: Specialization in Reading Education; Early Childhood Endorsement: 1992

University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia, International Student Exchange Program: Spring, 1991

Educational Leadership

Mentored 6 NISD Principals

Presentations:

Enhancing a Principal Pipeline Through Effective Coaching – TASA
Leadership in Action: Creating a Sustainable Principal Pipeline – TASA
Journey to Dual Language: Deciding Which Road to Travel – NABE, TABE, & La Cosecha Dual Language Conference
Developing Instructional Leadership through Principal Networks – HSTW/MMGW State Conference
Judgment and Problem Analysis: Decision Making and Problem Solving – Region 20 Cohort of Leadership Associates (Principal Alternative Certification)
Keynote Speaker: UTSA Student Teacher Induction Ceremony

TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards

National Distinguished Principal Texas State Finalist, 2017
Region 20 TEPSAN of the Year, 2022
Author: Learning, Listening, & Leading: Supporting Principals Through Transition – TEPSA May/June News, 2025
TEPSA Executive Committee Member at Large 2024-2026
TEPSA Standing Committee Member:
Programs & Services Committee, 2023-2024
Nominating Committee & Advocacy Committee, 2022-2023
TEPSA Region 20 Board 2018-2023:
Past President
President
President Elect
2nd VP
Treasurer
TEPSA Summer Conference Session Reviewer, 2021-2025
TEPSA Summer Conference Presenter, 2011
TEPSA Member 2000-present

School Honors/Accomplishments

Kuentz Elementary named a Franklin Covey “Leader in Me” campus ultimately receiving Lighthouse School designation in 2019
Kuentz Elementary named the PepsiCo Recycle Rally National Champions in 2011 and in the Top 10 in the nation for 10 years, resulting in over $100,000 cash awards for the campus
Kuentz Elementary Student Council named a TEPSA Honor Council for 5 consecutive years
Kuentz Elementary Earned TEA Distinction Designation: Top 25 Percent: Comparative Closing the Gaps, 2019
Kuentz Elementary won over 10 awards from the city of Helotes for Best in Show (Parade Float and Walking Group) and First Place in non-profit category (Parade Float and Walking Group) at the Cornyval Parade and the Helotes Christmas Lights Parade between 2009-2019

Community Involvement

Northside ISD Council of PTA’s Principal of the Year Award 2011
School Community Relationships with organizations including the Helotes Police & Fire Departments, Helotes Cornyval Association, Helotes Community Band, South Texas Blood Bank
Campus Host: Daily COVID Food Distribution Site 2020-2021
Recycling Team Volunteer at the San Antonio Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade 2011-2019
Volunteer at the Northside ISD/San Antonio Food Bank Distribution
Zion Lutheran Church:
Call Committee for the Associate Pastor for Youth & Family Faith Formation
Faith Formation Teacher
Zion Theater Group

Other Professional Networks

NAESP Member of the TEPSA Advocacy Committee visiting legislators at the state capitol, 2023 and 2025
Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
N2 Learning Texas Principals Institute – Cohort 7
N2 Learning Executive Leaders Institute – Cohort 4
National School Leaders Network Group Facilitator 2009-2011
Book Study Co-Facilitator, Trinity University, 2011-2019
TEA Teacher Preparation Program Advisory Committee with the University of Texas at San Antonio, 2012-2013

Personal Information

My husband Matt and I have been married for 27 years. We have two amazing children, both products of our local public schools. Our son (20) is a junior at Texas A&M University in College Station where he is majoring in Data Engineering. Our daughter (14) is a junior in Northside ISD where she dances on the drill team & is active in musical theater. We are a family who loves music & spend much of our time at concerts, musical theater performances, and supporting the Texas Aggies! My greatest joy comes from time spent with family, & helping others discover how to lead through their strengths.

Platform Statement

For 25 years, TEPSA has helped me become a leader who is deeply committed to the success of our public schools. It has provided me with professional learning, networking, life long friends, and most importantly, advocacy for our leaders. Serving on the Executive Committee the past 2 years showed me the power of our combined voices. Now more than ever, we must unite to champion the value of public education and address the challenges posed by legislative actions. Each day, our principals are at the frontline navigating issues at a time when funding and policy often overlook campus realities. As Vice President, I will work with the Board to ensure our leaders understand the real issues facing our schools: safety, mental health, excessive mandates, lack of funding, and teacher shortages. My central office experience helps me understand how district leadership can amplify our unified message. I want to strengthen TEPSA’s network by empowering admin at all levels to become effective advocates by sharing their stories of perseverance and highlighting the daily challenges they face. Through advocacy, I will show how our TX Principals are true superheroes. Despite challenges, they lead with grit and grace but they need help. I am dedicated to ensuring every TEPSA member feels equipped to act, protecting the promise of Texas public education for all students. It would be an honor to serve our leaders as Vice President, to be part of the change, and to celebrate our successes together!