Tremayne Wickliffe and Maria Guerra have been named as the 2025-26 La Porte ISD Principals of the Year for secondary and elementary, respectively. 

 Wickliffe is principal of The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School; Guerra is principal at Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School.  District administrators select honorees based on several criteria, including a multitude of attributes that contribute to staff and student success.

Region 4 ESC will honor Wickliffe and Guerra, among other Greater Houston principals, at a luncheon later this year.    

Tremayne Wickliffe
Mr. Tremayne Wickliffe joined La Porte ISD in July 2023 after serving in Alief ISD. He is principal of the Academy of Viola DeWalt High School and Director of Alternative Education & Student Services, leading increased enrollment and graduation rates. He also helped La Porte ISD become the first Texas district to earn Region 4 safety and security certification. Mr. Wickliffe holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s from Prairie View A&M University.

Maria Guerra 
Mrs. Maria Guerra became principal of Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School in July 2023, and since then, the school has been honored by U.S, News & World Report and Educational Results Partnership multiple times as being among the best schools in Texas and the U.S.  Mrs. Guerra earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston – Downtown. She also holds a master’s degree from Lamar University.  

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