Assistant Principals
Assistant Principals
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Dr. Varela brings over 25 years of experience in secondary and elementary education, having served as a teacher, academic dean, and assistant principal. She's driven by her conviction that all students deserve an exceptional educational experience daily. A natural at building strong relationships with students, staff, and families, Dr. Varela excels as an instructional leader with a focus on principles of Universal Design for Learning. She will be serving as our 8th grade assistant principal and will bring her extensive experience with helping students transition to high school. Outside of her professional life, she cherishes time spent with her husband and four children.
Lara Raesz
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Ms. Raesz's experience in education spans over 17 years as a teacher, instructional coach, academic dean, and assistant principal. She holds a Master of Education in Literacy Studies with a Reading Specialist certification. Her extensive Texas Education Certifications span EC-12, including Principal, Reading Specialist, Special Education, and ESL Supplemental, alongside her 4th-12th grade certifications in Pedagogy, Social Studies Composite, and English Language Arts and Reading. Ms. Raesz is deeply passionate about helping every student reach their full potential and will be serving as our 7th grade assistant principal. She firmly believes in fostering strong relationships, open communication, and a collaborative spirit among students, families, and staff to create exceptional educational experiences. Her family, including her husband and children, lived and attended school in Hutto, and she is very excited to join our team.
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Dr. Amy Williams joins Gus Almquist Middle School with nearly three decades of experience in public education having served in diverse roles from teacher to assistant principal. A Central Texas native, she holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership, with her research focusing on vital support systems for new teachers. Dr. Williams is passionate about fostering student success and empowering educators, bringing extensive experience in leading instructional initiatives, designing curriculum, and creating equitable learning environments. Her dedication to utilizing data and promoting differentiated learning will greatly benefit the school community. As our 6th grade assistant principal, she looks forward to collaborating with teachers, parents, and students to achieve our shared educational goals. She enjoys spending time with her husband and her beloved Bichon Frise puppy named Goosey.