MFISD principals are tops in Region 13

Two campus leaders in the Marble Falls Independent School District have been recognized for job excellence with 2025-26 principal of the year awards from the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

Marble Falls High School Principal Patrick Hinson was named the TASSP Region 13 High School Principal of the Year, while Marble Falls Middle School Assistant Principal Haley Wheeler received the regional honor for Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year. Both are now eligible for the same awards at the state level.

Hinson has been at MFHS for the past two years and in education for 22 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., and a master’s degree in education administration from Concordia University in Austin. He also earned a Superintendent Certification from the University of Texas at Tyler. 

According to an MFISD media release announcing the awards, “Hinson has developed a strong culture at the high school and definitely lives the TASSP mission of ‘Above All, Students First.’ His visibility across the campus is noticed by his students and staff. He has pushed to ensure that student voice is a strong part of his decision-making process. High school parents look for him at all evening events and enjoy the accessibility they have with him.”

The honor was a team effort, Hinson said in the release.

“I believe that anytime someone wins an award such as this is not only a reflection of them but the team/district as a whole,” he said. “I am honored to lead a campus full of students, teachers, and staff who have bought into a culture of serving, loving, and inspiring others.”

Wheeler has been at Marble Falls Middle School for four years out of her 17-year career in education. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas A&M-Central Texas.

According to the MFISD release, “Wheeler is compassionate and truly cares about the lives of … our students, staff, and their families. She has an ability to reach people. Students know that they can speak with her without judgement. Teachers and staff will seek advice and know that they are getting sound reasoning. Mrs. Wheeler always shows compassion to those that she serves.”

Wheeler said she is inspired by the students’ resilience.

“This recognition belongs to all of us, and I’m proud to serve a school community that pours heart, hope, and hard work into every single day,” she said.

Hinson and Wheeler are now finalists for the TASSP state Principal of the Year Award and state Assistant Principal of the Year Award, respectively. 

“I am very excited to have Mr. Hinson and Mrs. Wheeler recognized by their peers at Region 13 and TASSP. It is a great organization for our campus principals to be a part of,” said MFISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway in the media release. “I am not surprised that either of them was selected as their leadership can be felt across their respective campuses. They both work tirelessly to always put students first in what they do and the decisions they make.”

editor@thepicayune.com