Shane McKay, Principal
It is an honor and privilege to serve the students, faculty, and staff of East Central High School. A large portion of my childhood I grew up around the East Central community and my beautiful wife Jenni graduated from East Central High School. I have two wonderful children who attend ECISD schools. I was blessed to be hired in 2005 to teach Biology and coach football and baseball at ECHS. In 2009, I transitioned into administration and became an assistant principal and then was later named the associate principal in 2010. At East Central High School we are here to provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive learning environment that challenges each student to be their best. We believe in the capacity for all students to learn at high levels and provide meaningful and rigorous courses that prepare them for life beyond high school. Our mission is to inspire learning by creating interesting and meaningful experiences for every student, every minute, every day. I love everything about East Central High School, the students, the teachers, the staff, the parents, and the greater community. I am proud to be a member of this faculty and I will relentlessly serve the entire East Central Family to the best of my ability.
Damon Trainer, Associate Principal
Once a Hornet alway a Hornet! EC has been apart of my life for the past 41 years. Either as a student or an employee. After graduating from ECHS in 1987, I attended Texas A&I University and received my Bachelor of Arts Degree. I began my teaching career in 1991 as a Special Education teacher at Oak Crest Middle School and later transferred to the ECHS and taught Special Education and Science while coaching the golf team as well. In 2004 I began my work as an administrator upon receiving my Masters in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University Kingsville. I’ve been blessed to work with all the different grade levels over my 28 years in education. I’m looking forward to being back at the High School while I continue to work to customize the learning experiences of every student and advance their learning in every classroom, everyday. Go Hornets!
Melissa Barnett Kocian, Academic Dean
Howdy Hornets! My name is Melissa Barnett Kocian. It is my privilege to continue to serve our ECISD community. After I graduated from ECHS in 1996 I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English Communications from St. Mary’s University in 2000. While earning my Masters of Arts in Communication Studies in 2003, I began teaching at Texas State University. After over ten years of teaching at both the secondary and collegiate levels, I am honored to continue my education endeavors as your Academic Dean. I support students and both their parents and teachers. Through high expectations and educational goals, I strive help everyone attain their college and career aspirations.
Rene Ferguson, Academic Dean
It is my privilege to serve East Central High School as an Academic Dean. Among my responsibilities are campus coordinator for state testing and to oversee the math department. I have been fortunate to be at ECHS for over 20 years. My first job at ECHS was as a math teacher and head softball coach. I then transitioned into administration and into my current job as Academic Dean. I have earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University, as well as a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Texas State University and a Master’s of Arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or if I can be of help. Together, we will make it a great year.
Kara Mihalski, Assistant Principal
I am excited and feel privileged to be back at East Central High School. I attended high school in Del Rio, TX where I also worked in our family business. I earned my bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas in San Antonio and then earned my masters degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M Kingsville. Of my 24 years in education, I have proudly served ECISD for 22 of them. I have worked at the elementary, intermediate, and middle school levels as a special education teacher and special education facilitator. Using my years of experience in the classroom, I have served as a district administrator for special education and a campus assistant principal. I am currently serving ECHS as an assistant principal with a focus on state assessment and our campus 504 program. Both of my children have attended ECISD and have taken advantage of the many opportunities it has offered them. I continue to be excited to be able to promote and instill the ECISD traditions and opportunities to other families as a member of ECHS.
Rodney Vigil, Assistant Principal
Hello Hornets and welcome to another wonderful school year. I am Rodney Vigil and I will serve as an assistant principal at East Central High School. It is a privilege to be a part of this great community. I have been in education for 23 years. I taught Science and coached volleyball for 18 years before becoming an administrator. I have been an administrator at various levels for 5 years. I graduated from Southwest Texas State University and Lamar University. I am excited about being a part of the Hornet Nation!
Frank Salinas, Assistant Principal
Hello, Hornet Nation! My name is Frank Salinas and I will be serving in the capacity of Assistant Principal. I have been an administrator for the past four years before coming to East Central ISD and this is my tenth year in education having previously worked in local government and in the private sector. I have taught at both the elementary and college level. I completed my Educational Administration graduate courses at Texas A & M – San Antonio and earned a graduate degree at Texas State University with a Master of Public Administration and undergraduate at the University of Texas-Pan American with a dual major in Political Science and English. It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to serve our students, parents, and this wonderful community! Together, we will continue the tradition of excellence and pride at East Central High School. I look forward to being part of a team that fosters an environment of life-long learners and creates high expectations to see all students succeed!
Vincent Briseno, Assistant Principal
I am excited for the opportunity to serve the East Central community as an assistant principal. East Central provided an extraordinary educational experience for my daughter, Liliana, and I hope to make a positive contribution to this amazing institution. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University, a master’s degree from the University of Texas - Brownsville, and received my principal certification from Lamar University. I look forward to working with educators, parents, and students to create interesting and meaningful learning experiences for every student - every minute - every day.
Teresa Rodriguez, Assistant Principal
My name is Teresa Rodriguez. This year, it is my honor to serve the students, parents, teachers and community of East Central. I have been happily married for over 17 years and have three wonderful children. In 2005, I obtained a masters degree from Texas A & M - Corpus Christi and began my educational career as an Elementary teacher. In 2009, I served as a counselor at the Middle School level. In 2012, I was privileged to begin serving as an assistant principal at the High School level. This is my tenth year in education. I love working with students and have no greater satisfaction than to witness their success and watch them attain their goals. I am looking forward to working with the East Central High team in order to thrust our young people into a bright future.
Amy Graeber, Assistant Principal
It is an honor to continue to serve the East Central ISD community. After graduating from ECHS in 1998 I earned my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M - Kingsville as well as my Masters in Guidance and Counseling and Educational Leadership from Texas A&M - San Antonio. I have three wonderful children who attended ECISD schools. I started my educational career in 2001 in the Southwest ISD. I was blessed to be hired in 2010 as a School Counselor at Oak Crest Intermediate. In 2015, I transitioned into an assistant principal at Legacy Middle School, and in 2018 I lead the BCLC campus building relationships with the city of San Antonio. I love everything about East Central ISD, the students, the teachers, the staff, the parents, and the greater community and I am dedicated to serving the community and making a difference in every student, family and staff's life. I am proud to be a member of the ECHS staff and I will relentlessly serve the East Central Family to the best of my ability.
Suzette Arriola, Athletic Director
With over twenty years of teaching and nine years of administration experience, I am now working to help build East Central High School's student-athletes as the Athletic Director. Over the years, I have worked in many places, but in 2007 when I came to East Central, I found a family and a home.
It wasn't until I returned to the Southeast Side of San Antonio that my career came full circle. At the beginning of my career, I always knew I wanted to return home to the community that helped make me who I am today. I owe much of my success and desire to impact students to the teachers, coaches, and staff at Highlands High School where I graduated from in 1982. I have so much pride in Southeast San Antonio and am dedicated to serving the community and making a difference in the lives of our students.
Wendy Fuller, CAST Lead Principal
Hello, my name is Dr. Wendy Fuller. I am super excited about my new position as CAST Lead Principal. I hope to ignite passion in my teachers who directly impact students through engaging and innovative lessons, fostering a love for life-long learning. I believe that my personal love for learning, and the ability to build trusting relationships among educational stakeholders, is what assists me in providing comprehensive education while recognizing individual student strengths and developing skills necessary for success in life. Having earned a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in leadership in educational administration, I believe my knowledge can help create a unique learning environment for students, developing business and industry leaders. My professional experiences are embedded in Texas public education, beginning in pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, where I have worked primarily in teaching, school counseling, and administration. My professional experience continues to provide me with the skills necessary to be successful, using time management, frequent communication, and securing resources, in order to create/implement an effective plan of action. Continuing to teach at Victoria College as adjunct faculty, helps me help high school students understand the transition and reminds me of why I love teaching.
Kara Mihalski, Assistant Principal