Our Administration
GISD has annouced Jennifer Spears as the new principal to lead Annie Purl Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year.
Spears has been serving as principal in Del Valle ISD since 2019, where she improved accountability ratings by two letter grades, secured grant funds for campus improvements, and led district staff development for tiered instruction.
Prior to her time in Del Valle ISD, Spears served as a principal, assistant principal and teacher in Fort Bend, Wharton, and Aldine ISDs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Sam Houston State University, a master’s in education administration from Texas A&M University — Prairie View and is working on her Doctor of Education Cooperative Superintendency program through the University of Texas — Austin.
As principal, Spears will lead campus transformation into a learning organization aligned to GISD beliefs, ensure actions and behaviors support the mission of GISD and advance the campus toward the vision of being home of the most inspired students, served by the most empowered leaders. Spears will align systems and processes to support the implementation of the core work of designing engaging work and leading students to success in that work and in the growth of the attributes of the Learner Profile.
Mrs. Spears lives in Austin with her husband and has two young adult daughters. One daughter lives with her husband and serves as a nurse in the Georgetown community, and her youngest daughter is a pediatric nurse in Houston, TX. In her spare time, Mrs. Spears enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing at home.
Spears replaces outgoing principal Mindy Choate, who announced her retirement earlier this spring, and will officially assume her new role this summer.
Hello PUMAS,
My name is Maria (Angely) Dávila, and this will be my 18th year in education. I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade bilingual and for the past 3 years, I've served Purl Elementary as an Assistant Principal. I earned a degree in Business Administration-Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico and earned a Master of Education degree and Principal Certification from Tarleton State University-Central Texas in Killeen. Throughout my career, I've mentored teachers, participated in their leadership academy, and led a variety of student initiatives to serve our community. I am a proud army wife and a mom of two boys that loves to craft, sing, and travel.
Email: davilam1@georgetownisd.org
Hey, There Pumas!
I am beyond thrilled and so excited to begin my second year as your assistant principal! I was a teacher for 14 years and taught third and fourth grade as well as special education. I am excited to be able to spread my love for education to not only students but staff and parents as well. I love building relationships and feel that it is the most important thing about being an educator. As an administrator, I never want to forget what it means to be in the classroom and interact with students each day. Being an assistant principal allows me to impact every student and staff member by making sure there are opportunities to learn and grow and reach their fullest potential.
Having the opportunity to become a Puma is an achievement that I have worked so hard toward. There simply is nothing more invigorating or humbling than to connect with students in a way that changes that student's life and now I have the opportunity to do so here at Purl, and to me, that is the most exciting thing. I’m also excited to work with our staff and grow together to achieve amazing things.
My husband, Jay, and I have 4 children together that we enjoy spending time with! We also have 3 dogs - two small poodles and one standard poodle, let’s just say we have oodles of poodles! In my spare time, I enjoy photography, live music, shopping, and spending time with my family and friends.
I look forward to getting to know each Puma kiddo and Family this year!
Melanie Tunnell
email: tunnellm@georgetownisd.org