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.
Reed Trosper, Associate Principal
Hello Hornet Nation! I am honored to serve our students, staff, and community as an Assistant Principal at East Central High School! This is my fourth year with East Central Independent School District, and my first year in this role. I have ten years of educational experience serving in various capacities. I taught English I, 8th Grade Science, 7th Grade English, and served as a middle school Athletic Coordinator. I am excited to be in this role serving a wonderful community! At East Central we strive to provide meaningful, rigorous experiences for every student, every day. As a continuous life-long learner, I am constantly reflecting upon practices, procedures, and curriculum to help prepare our youth for college and career readiness. I graduated from Tarleton State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, and I received my Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M--- Kingsville. Again, I am honored to serve our community, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for our students!
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!
Jim Weaver, Assistant Principal
I graduated from the University of Texas in San Antonio, and then later I earned my Master’s degree from Lamar University. Prior to coming to East Central High School as an assistant principal, I was a head boys basketball coach and Social Studies teacher for 26 years. I feel very blessed to be a part of the Hornet community, and I look forward to serving the students here at East Central High School. My goal as a member of this faculty is to help every student reach their potential.
Jennie Becka, Assistant Principal
I am beyond blessed to be a part of the East Central family and to serve this community. East Central is not far from where I grew up and has always shined bright. As a first-generation college student, I graduated in 2005 from the University of Texas in San Antonio with a BA in English. My teaching career began at East Central High School and the many experiences the district has provided me with over the past twelve years has shaped me into the educator I am today. In 2017, I earned my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Austin. As I embark on this new journey as an Assistant Principal, I am excited to continue to learn and grow every minute, every day.
I truly believe, “Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists they become the best they possibly can be.” -Rita Pierson
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.
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.
Kara Mihalski, Assistant Principal
I am beyond blessed to be a part of the East Central family and to serve this community. East Central is not far from where I grew up and has always shined bright. As a first-generation college student, I graduated in 2005 from the University of Texas in San Antonio with a BA in English. My teaching career began at East Central High School and the many experiences the district has provided me with over the past twelve years has shaped me into the educator I am today. In 2017, I earned my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Austin. As I embark on this new journey as an Assistant Principal, I am excited to continue to learn and grow every minute, every day.