Deborah Cano, currently principal at Vandagriff Elementary School in the Aledo school district, has been named principal for McNair Elementary School. She soon will assume the role currently held by Aleta Atkinson, who has been serving as acting principal since Principal Sean Flynn resigned in September.

Ms. Cano has more than 24 years in education, with 10 years of administrative experience. She has served as principal of Vandagriff Elementary since 2011 and was principal of South Keller Intermediate in Keller ISD for four years. 

Besides serving as principal of two schools, she was an adjunct professor for Texas Christian University, assistant principal at South Keller Intermediate and a teacher at Parkwood Hill Intermediate in Keller and Shady Grove Academy in Grand Prairie. 

She is known as a strong student advocate. At Vandagriff Elementary, she increased classroom technology integration, expanded a balanced literacy program and developed Campus Learning Teams. She also raised the level of parent involvement at her campus and pioneered student leadership programs, such as Principal’s Council and Student Council. 

Ms. Cano received her bachelor’s of arts and science degree from Dallas Baptist University, her master’s in educational leadership from Midwestern State University and her advanced certificate in school superintendency from Dallas Baptist University where she’s currently working on her doctorate degree.