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(GISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS) Donna Gatlin was promoted as the Graham ISD Chief Academic Officer and Koby Andrews was hired as the Dean of Students for Pioneer Elementary School.
Two big changes came to Graham ISD last week with the promotion of Donna Gatlin to GISD Chief Academic Officer and Koby Andrews being hired as the Dean of Students for Pioneer Elementary School.
Following the conclusion of a Graham ISD Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, May 13, the announcement was made regarding the decision.
Gatlin, who previously served as the Pioneer Elementary School principal, will fill the GISD Chief Academic Officer position currently held by Dr. Janel Madeley who started in July 2025.
Gatlin has served for 22 years within GISD through roles in campus administration, district-level program oversight and financial management.
“Mrs. Gatlin has demonstrated high-level strategic capabilities through her roles on the 2025 Strategic Planning and 2026 Facilities Planning Committees,” Superintendent Mary Johnston said in a release. “She possesses deep expertise in managing complex specialized programs, having served as the district lead for Bilingual/ESL, Section 504, Gifted and Talented, and PBIS/Conscious Discipline.”
Along with her administrative work, Gatlin has also been a teacher and a school counselor and has a Master in School Counseling and a Principal Certification from Lamar University.
Additionally, she served as chief accountant early in her career.
“Mrs. Gatlin will articulate the vision for and provide leadership to the district’s instructional program by guiding, directing, and monitoring the delivery of instructional services to students,” Johnston said. “She will ensure curriculum and instructional activities, including the planning, development, and implementation of policies, programs and practices, remain in full support of academic design and delivery.”
Gatlin will also evaluate and provide instructional leadership support for the district’s instructional program, which includes the supervision of principals.
Andrews will take over the leadership position with the departure of Gatlin from Pioneer Elementary School and bring with him 14 years of education experience.
“Mr. Andrews has a distinguished track record within our district, having been named the 2022 GISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and the 2023 Region 9 Elementary Teacher of the Year,” Johnston said. “Throughout his tenure at Woodland Elementary and his previous coaching roles, he has built a reputation for fostering meaningful relationships and maintaining the consistency necessary for student growth.”
Andrews has a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Angelo State University and experience in core subject teaching and coaching.
“Mr. Andrews is uniquely prepared to support our staff and students. He is committed to a school culture where positivity and collegiality thrive, driven by his philosophy that honesty and communication are the foundations of effective leadership,” Johnston said in the release.
For more information on the current administration or staff at GISD, visit grahamisd.com, or contact the administration office at 940-549-0595.
