With love for the community, Tonya J. Harris has been the Principal of Waxahachie High School since 2019. “I am proud to serve the students, staff, and families of Waxahachie High School, and I am honored to be part of a “district where innovation thrives and growth is limitless.” 

Mrs. Harris earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in Educational Administration from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. She has worked in Education for 20 years, and over 10 of those years have been in administration. She earned her Superintendent Certification in 2016 and is working toward completing her doctoral thesis in Educational Leadership.

As principal, Mrs. Harris has primary responsibility for the overall success of Waxahachie High School. She collaborates with the WHS administrative team, faculty and staff, students, and families to ensure a student-centered atmosphere with the goal of academic success.

Before returning to serve as principal of WHS, Mrs. Harris was the principal of a STEM school in Royce City, Texas. She served as assistant principal of the Waxahachie Ninth Grade Academy, Coordinator of the Waxahachie High School of Choice. She also worked as a high school English teacher and a cheer coach.

Dr. David Averett, WISD Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Leadership, said, “Mrs. Harris has the proper balance of behavioral and academic expectations while not losing sight of the realities that can affect both students and staff. I enjoy working with Mrs. Harris, and I feel that she has the ship, WHS, pointed in the right direction.”

Mrs. Harris grew up in DeSoto, Texas. She and her husband, Kevin, raised their four children in Ellis County.  Three of her children are following in her footsteps and pursuing careers in Education.

Even though teaching and learning are the focus of Waxahachie High School, Mrs. Harris wants all students and staff to feel a sense of belonging and community at Waxahachie High School. “I want students to feel welcome and enjoy coming to school. Waxahachie is an amazing place to be. This is home.”

As a proud 1996 graduate and WISD parent, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the WHS leadership team as an assistant principal to serve the students, teachers, staff, parents, and the community I love.

My transition into the role of assistant principal came after spending four years teaching 9th-grade World Geography and AP Human Geography in the WHS Social Studies Department and coaching WHS Cheerleading for two years. This year will be my 13^th year in education with Waxahachie ISD. Previously, I held positions with Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, NC, as well as with the United States Air Force Educational Services at Hill AFB, Utah.

I am grateful to be married to the love of my life, best friend, and biggest supporter, Jonathan. My daughter, Ally, is a 2019 graduate of WHS, and my son, Jackson, is a 2023 graduate of WHS. My step-daughter, Payton, is a 2022 graduate of WHS, and my step-son, Ean, is a current student at WHS. Being able to serve on the same campus where my family attends/attended has brought me joy beyond measure.

My experience as an alumna, parent, teacher, volunteer, and now administrator for WISD has given me insight into the values that WISD and WHS hold dear. I will strive daily to support WISD’s core values: Choices, Collaboration, Belonging, and Community. 

I am honored, excited, and blessed to have the opportunity to serve and support the students, teachers, staff, and parents of Waxahachie High School!

I have worked in different industries, including banking and working for the Texas House of Representatives. I began my educational career as an aide but decided I could do more and returned to college. Upon completing my Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Texas at Tyler, I began my teaching career at Corsicana High School in 1996, where I taught Spanish and English. In 2010, I graduated from Lamar University with a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. Throughout my career, it has been my goal to help students prepare for “what is next” and to help grow teachers.

My husband Eugene and I have been married for 35 years and are the proud parents of four children, a bonus daughter in the form of our daughter-in-law and a beautiful granddaughter. 

I look forward to continuing to help teachers grow in their craft and facilitate students’ growth to be the best they can be in their future endeavors.

Eric McCarty currently serves as Assistant Principal at Waxahachie High School. He has also served as Secondary English Language Arts and Reading Coordinator at WISD and as an English teacher in another district. Mr. McCarty is an alum of South Grand Prairie High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he holds records for receptions and receiving touchdowns. As a senior, his team ranked #3 nationally for DIII football. He also earned graduate degrees from SMU and UT Tyler.

Mr. McCarty married into a family of educators. His wife, who recommended that he teach for years, teaches English and doubles as an instructional coach. His sister-in-law is an educator of students with special needs, and his mother and father-in-law are professors at Grambling State University. He and his wife have two children who attend WISD.

Mr. Mccarty teaches students how to communicate and problem-solve and coaches teachers to partner in their growth.  His mission is to make a difference in people's lives by valuing their voices, raising their expectations, and bringing together educators who are committed to excellence.

Blake Harrison is a Waxahachie graduate and serves as Assistant Principal at Waxahachie High School. Mr. Harrison has served WISD for over a decade. He received his degree in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University and a Master's in Education from The University of Texas at Arlington. He and his wife, Callie, have two children, Harper and Ford.

I am honored to serve as Assistant Principal at Waxahachie High School. I look forward to working with students, parents, teachers, and community members.

I grew up in Houston, attending Northbrook High School in Spring Branch ISD. After high school, I attended the University of North Texas (Go Mean Green!) and earned a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I earned my master's degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University and completed my Administrator's Certification through Lamar University. I began my teaching career in Carrollton-Farmers Branch as a science teacher and continue my teaching career in Lewisville ISD. I began my role as Assistant Principal in Lewisville ISD and continued in Frisco ISD.

My family is Waxahachie proud, and we love being part of Waxahachie ISD! My family consists of Casey, a WISD teacher, and my children, Ethan and Emma. We enjoy spending time with family, watching Ethan play football, and Emma in her dance classes.