New Leadership at CAST Lead

In the upcoming Spring Semester, CAST Lead will see a change in its primary leadership team.  From a new interim principal & assistant principal to several teachers being given new positions/responsibilities, CAST Lead is dedicated to preparing its students for leadership positions in the growing retail, hospitality and tourism, and e-commerce industries.

Attached below is a list of each incoming change for the next semester, along with a quote/statement from each teacher:

Erica Jackson – Interim Principal

I am excited to join the CAST Lead family and serve as the Interim Principal for CAST Lead HS. I have recently transitioned from Assistant Principal of CAST. Previously, I was at Legacy Middle School, where I served as the Assistant Principal for the last two years and Algebra 1 Instructional Facilitator for three years prior. This is my 13th year in education, of which eight have been here in East Central ISD and the first five years at Judson ISD. I received my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Master’s in Business Administration from the University of North Texas in Denton. In 2019, I earned an Administrative Certification from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.

I am passionate about the community and supporting the connection between families, students and community partners to improve our student’s learning environment.

Christopher Turnbull – Assistant Principal

I am originally from the Boston area of Massachusetts. I earned my B.A. in History with a minor in Secondary Education from Framingham State University.  I moved to San Antonio in 2004 for a teaching position and earned my M.A. in History with a minor in Special Education in 2008.  I taught for 15 years in San Antonio Independent School District before earning my M.Ed from Trinity University and becoming an Instructional Coach.  I’m excited to join CAST Lead as Assistant Principal!

Katherine Thompson – Senior Experience Coordinator

My name is Katherine Thompson. I am in my fourth year of teaching and excited to be here at CAST LEAD.

I am an army veteran where I served my time in the cold of New York. Upon leaving the military, I immediately got into school and graduated from the University of Texas A&M- San Antonio in 2019 and have been teaching ever since!  I will be teaching User Experience and Senior Practicum.

Bruce Cooper – Industry Advisory Coordinator

Mr. Cooper initially earned a Bachelor’s degree in finance and economics prior to returning to university to study accounting. Subsequent to this, he owned and operated a diverse set of businesses for slightly over twenty years before changing careers and pursuing teaching; earning his Master’s Degree in Education Administration.

This endeavor resulted in a teaching career that began in Broaddus, Texas and ultimately led him to China, where he served as AP Center principal at Tianjin Foreign Languages School for three years, and Head of Business and Economics at Wellington College International Shanghai for five years.

Upon returning to Texas he was fortunate enough to land a job at CAST Lead where he happily teaches all manner of business courses.

He has been happily married for 23 years and has two wonderful sons that both live in Austin, Texas. I will be teaching you in one of the following classes this year:

English 3 & 4 AP Art

Riley Jones – Core Instructional Department Lead