Our Administration
Dr. Spears is starting her second year as principal at Purl. She was previously a principal in Del Valle ISD, where she helped improve campus ratings by two letter grades, earned grant money for campus improvements, and led staff training on tiered instruction.
Before Del Valle ISD, Dr. Spears worked as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher in Fort Bend, Wharton, and Aldine ISDs.
She earned a BA in Elementary Education from Sam Houston State University , a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University—Prairie View, and recently completed her Doctorate through the University of Texas at Austin.
As principal, Dr. Spears strives to guide Purl Elementary to be a strong learning community that follows GISD’s goals. She focuses on helping students succeed with engaging work and supporting the growth of important learner skills.
Dr. Spears lives in Austin with her husband. She has two daughters—one is a nurse in Georgetown, and the other is a pediatric nurse in Houston. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and relaxing at home.
Email: spearsj@georgetownisd.org
Hi! I'm Maria (Angely) Dávila, and I'm thrilled to be starting my 21st year in education and my 7th year as Assistant Principal at Purl Elementary—home of the proud Pumas! Before stepping into leadership, I spent 15 amazing years as a bilingual teacher, pouring my heart into helping students grow both academically and personally.
I earned my degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, and later pursued my passion for education by earning a Master of Education and Principal Certification from Texas A&M University–Central Texas.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring teachers, participating in leadership academies, and leading student initiatives that bring our school and community closer together. I truly believe in the power of connection, service, and creating a school culture where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.
Outside of school, I’m an Army wife and proud mom of two energetic boys who keep life fun and full of adventure. I love crafting, singing, and exploring new places with my family.
Purl Elementary is more than just a workplace—it’s home. I’m honored to serve this incredible community and excited for another year of learning, leading, and growing together.
Email: davilam1@georgetownisd.org
Joe Barrientos
Joseph Barrientos brings eight years of experience in secondary education, specializing in advanced mathematics and engineering instruction. Before stepping into the role of assistant principal, he taught several math courses (from algebra I to AP Calculus), Digital Electronics, and other STEM courses, earning a reputation for academic excellence, student-centered instruction, and innovative classroom practices.
Throughout his career, Joseph has demonstrated a strong commitment to equity, student achievement, and campus-wide improvement. He has led initiatives focused on closing discipline gaps, enhancing student engagement through MTSS and restorative practices, and supporting culturally responsive instruction. He has also served as a mentor to new teachers and contributed to instructional leadership through walkthroughs, professional development planning, and data-informed decision-making.
His leadership philosophy is grounded in building strong relationships, fostering a positive and inclusive school culture, and ensuring that all students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally.
Joseph is excited to begin this new role as assistant principal at Purl Elementary and looks forward to partnering with staff, students, and families to help every student thrive.
Outside of his professional work, Joseph enjoys spending time with his family. He was recently married and shares his home with three cats and a dog. He has a passion for music, the arts, and film, and values the role creativity plays in both life and learning.
email: barrientosj1@georgetownisd.org