MFMS principal picked to ‘build’ MFISD early college high school
Marble Falls Middle School Principal Ashley Bernard was chosen to lead the development of the district's early college high school program and oversee the existing career-technology education program. Courtesy photo
Marble Falls Middle School Principal Ashley Bernard will lead the planning team for the district’s early college high school program and oversee the existing career-technology education program.
The early college high school program, which will let students earn an associate’s degree through free courses, along with their diploma, will be open to Marble Falls High School freshmen by the 2024-25 school year.
Marble Falls Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway picked Bernard for the leadership role.
Planning for the program started after the district was awarded $100,000 in grant funding in March.
Early college high school will be especially beneficial to students in lower-income households.
“The potential to break the poverty cycle and set students on a path to college by completing free courses is an exciting prospect for our community,” said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Yarda Leflet in a media release. “We have the chance to show all of our students they can dream big, and we can help set them on the path to earning a degree.”
Bernard, who was hired by the district in the 2018-19 school year, has supervised the implementation of the STEAM Academy at Marble Falls Middle School since 2020. That program teaches students science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through innovative and engaging lesson plans. The program will be expanded to all middle school students next academic year.
Prior to coming to MFISD, Bernard worked in the Lake Travis Independent School District for 13 years as an athletic trainer, health science teacher, assistant principal, and career-technology education department chair.
“I am excited about the opportunity to utilize my experience designing and implementing curricular programs,” Bernard said in the media release. “I look forward to having an impact on a flagship program such as Early College High School in Marble Falls ISD.”
Given her prior experience, district officials are excited to see Bernard take the reins on the two programs.
“I have the utmost confidence in Ms. Bernard’s leadership and am thrilled she will be joining us on the foundational level of building our Early College High School,” Leflet said. “The Marble Falls ISD Early College High School will be life-changing for our students. In addition, I look forward to seeing her take our CTE programming to the next level. Her expertise in building, implementing, and expanding programs is to be commended and will be an asset to these two critical programs for our district.”
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Awesome!