TEXARKANA, Texas -- Texarkana Independent School District has promoted one of its own to deputy superintendent.
In her new role, Sherri Penix will play a part in implementing the district's Imagine 2026 Strategic Plan.
Penix most recently served as TISD's chief innovation officer. She is succeeding Autumn Thomas.
Penix has been in education for 37 years, starting with a second-grade classroom in Magnolia, Arkansas.
"My original classroom was my younger brother and my sister, so I've always been a teacher. I did not think about being an administrator," Penix said.
She then worked in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as an elementary counselor, assistant principal, principal and supervisor of human resources. She retired as assistant superintendent of human resources.
"Then I moved here, closer to home. I have family that live in the Fort Worth-Dallas area, and this opportunity presented itself (with TISD)," Penix said about her move to Texarkana in 2021.
Penix said her goal is to provide students with better opportunities.
"Mrs. Penix's leadership role in the development of the Imagine 2026 Strategic Plan, passion for meeting the needs of students, track record of successfully implementing district-wide initiatives and highly collaborative approach to continuous improvement indicate that she will be successful as our deputy superintendent," Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker said.