The end of Monday night’s Bryan ISD school board meeting (May 19) was unanimous votes to hire two principals.
The new principal at Stephen F. Austin middle school is an associate principal at Davila middle school, Becky Luna. That vacancy was created with the move of Kim Giesenschlag as the new elementary principal in Snook.
The new principal at Navarro elementary is a 22 year BISD educator. Tara Hunter has been an assistant principal at three BISD elementaries and at Bryan High School. Hunter takes over following the retirement of Kathy Riley.
The BISD board’s unanimous votes of the superintendent’s recommendations followed no public discussion.
Click below to hear comments from the May 20, 2025 Bryan ISD school board meeting.
News release from Bryan ISD:
At the May 19, 2025, School Board meeting, the Bryan ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hiring of two new principals for the district. Becky Luna will take over SFA Middle School and Tara Hunter will lead Navarro Elementary School.
SFA Middle School Principal
Ms. Luna brings 16 years of experience in public education, including 12 years in Bryan ISD. She has served the district in a variety of instructional and leadership roles, including high school agricultural sciences teacher, middle school counselor, Assistant Principal at Davila Middle School, and most recently as Associate Principal for Academics at Davila. This year she was recognized as Bryan ISD’s Administrator of the Year.
Her comprehensive experience in secondary education gives her a unique perspective on the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of middle school students. Having been a teacher, a counselor and a campus leader, she said, “I understand the importance of discipline, but I also understand the social-emotional needs of our kids and how necessary strong academics are as well.”
As a parent of two children currently attending Bryan ISD elementary schools, Ms. Luna also brings a parent’s perspective to the role. A native of Magnolia, Texas, she considers Bryan home and emphasized her long-term commitment to the district. “It’s the people. It’s the community. It’s the culture. It’s the family atmosphere,” she shared. “This is a longevity move for me.”
As Principal of SFA Middle School, Ms. Luna plans to focus on building strong relationships with faculty, families, and the broader school community. She is committed to fostering greater community engagement and continuing the school’s strong academic and extracurricular legacy. Ms. Luna describes her leadership style as grounded in grit, determination, and leading by example.
Ms. Luna holds a Bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and two Master’s degrees from Sam Houston State University and Lamar University, respectively.
Bryan ISD is proud to welcome Ms. Luna to her new role and looks forward to the continued success of SFA Middle School under her leadership. “We are excited about Ms. Luna’s transition to SFA Middle School. Her passion for serving children and her commitment to supporting staff will ensure that the tremendous momentum at SFA will continue,” Bryan ISD Superintendent Ginger Carrabine said.
“Ms. Luna is an outstanding educator and leader who brings a rare combination of instructional expertise, counseling experience, and deep-rooted passion for student success,” said Bryan
ISD Superintendent Ginger Carrabine. “Her dedication to Bryan ISD, her strong relationships with students and staff, and her vision for continued growth at SFA Middle School make her the
perfect fit for this role. We are confident she will lead with heart, purpose, and excellence.”
Navarro Elementary School Principal
Ms. Hunter brings 22 years of dedicated service to Bryan ISD, where she has spent her entire career in education. She is a seasoned educator with deep roots in the district and began her career as a math teacher at Lamar Alternative High School, now known as MC Harris, before transitioning into campus leadership. Over the last 16 years, Ms. Hunter has served as Assistant Principal at several campuses, including Crockett Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, Bonham Elementary, and Bryan High School.
Ms. Hunter is recognized for her student-centered leadership approach, which emphasizes building authentic relationships and fostering a positive, inclusive school culture. Her experience extends beyond instruction and administration, with active involvement in parent engagement and community-focused initiatives such as Read by Third and The Next Step.
Ms. Hunter noted that she is energized and filled with pride at the opportunity to serve others and continue making a positive impact on students, staff, families, and the community. “I’m truly honored and excited to serve as the next principal of Navarro Elementary,” Ms. Hunter shared. “As an Assistant Principal, I’ve had the opportunity to positively impact students, staff, and families, but leading an entire campus provides an even greater opportunity to build a strong, supportive school community and make a lasting difference.”
Ms. Hunter holds two Bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree from Sam Houston State University. Her deep ties to the district, along with her strong commitment to student achievement and community collaboration, make her exceptionally well-prepared to lead Navarro Elementary.
“Ms. Hunter is a proven leader who brings passion, experience, and a deep commitment to Bryan ISD students and families,” said Bryan ISD Superintendent Ginger Carrabine. “Her long-standing service to our district and her ability to build strong relationships make her the ideal person to lead Navarro Elementary into its next chapter.”