The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees on April 8 unanimously approved the appointments of four campus administrators for the 2025-26 school year. 

Mr. Joseph Chandler – Principal, The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School 
Joseph Chandler brings to La Porte 28 years of experience in education. Throughout his career, he has served as a high school special education teacher, department chair, assistant principal, associate principal, and principal in urban, suburban, and rural districts in Texas. Mr. Chandler earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Meinrad College in Indiana and a master’s degree from the University of Houston (Main Campus). He is also a proud alumnus of Raise Your Hand Texas principal program (2018) and the Rice University Executive Leadership Partners Program (2019). During his tenure as principal at Macario Garcia Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, the campus was recognized by the Houston Chronicle for significant academic gains among subpopulations. As principal of Willowridge High School, he successfully led the campus out of School Improvement Required status within two years. Under his leadership, Willowridge earned academic distinctions and increased its graduation rate. While serving as the principal at Brenham High School, Mr. Chandler was honored with the Region 6 Innovative Principal Leadership Award in 2019. In short, Mr. Chandler has been a successful leader in every role he has held. When asked, “why La Porte?” he says he recognizes the outstanding traditions and successes that are happening and he’d like to be a member of a small town with a great culture, similar to where he grew up. Outside of work, Mr. Chandler enjoys traveling with his family, reading, and watching movies with his wife of 26 years, Karem Chandler. His son Mauricio is graduating from the University of California, at Berkely this May and his daughter Camila will be a high school senior next year. 

Ms. Candice Thibodeaux – Associate Principal, La Porte High School 
Ms. Thibodeaux comes to La Porte High School from Clear Falls High School in Clear Creek ISD, where she has served as Assistant Principal since 2019. With 31 years in education as an English teacher, department chair, administrator intern, and assistant principal, she will be a strong addition to the LPHS leadership team. Ms. Thibodeaux holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and English from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. Her passion is building strong relationships and ensuring success for all students by establishing strong systems that support instruction and understanding the value of recognizing student and staff growth accomplishments. Ms. Thibodeaux looks forward to joining the team and is excited to become a Bulldog! 

Ms. Brooke Watson – Assistant Principal, La Porte High School 
Ms. Watson also comes to us from Clear Creek ISD, where she currently serves as Math teacher and department chair at Clear Creek High School. She also serves on the campus leadership team and is also the PALS sponsor. In her 18 years of educational service, Ms. Watson has also been a math instructional coach and special education teacher in Dickinson ISD as well as an ESL teacher in Ethiopia through an innovative mission opportunity. She holds a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Lamar University. She is looking forward to the pride and spirit that embodies La Porte High School and joining the La Porte family. 

Ms. Casey Dixon – Assistant Principal, James H. Baker 6th Grade Campus 
Ms. Dixon, a La Porte alumni with 18 years in education, is honored to be selected as the next assistant principal at Baker. She currently serves as the Math interventionist at Bayshore Elementary and has also been a teacher at the campus since 2017. Prior to returning to La Porte, she was an elementary teacher in Deer Park ISD. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from East Texas Baptist University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Lamar University. As a member of La Porte ISD’s Aspiring Leader Academy, Ms. Dixon understands the value of growth and development, and she is grateful for the phenomenal leaders who have poured into her leadership.