District Leadership
Curtis Culwell, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Bachelor of Arts - Sam Houston State University, major in history
Master of Education - Texas A&M - Commerce, major in education administration
Doctor of Education - Texas A&M - Commerce, major in education administration
Dr. Culwell began his career in education as a teacher here in the GISD. He was hired as an English teacher at Lakeview Centennial High School the year the school opened in 1976. Subsequently, he served as an assistant principal at Brandenburg Middle School and Garland High School until departing in 1983 to serve as principal of La Marque High School. He has since worked his way up the ranks of school administration, serving as a superintendent in a small northeast Texas district, deputy superintendent in Lubbock, and then being selected to succeed Dr. Mike Moses as superintendent of Lubbock ISD. In summer of 1999, Trustees named Superintendent of Garland ISD.
An early graduate of the Garland Chamber of Commerce "Leadership Garland" program, he has earned the respect of all the communities he has served.
Phyllis Parker, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Operations
Bachelor of Arts - Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma; major in English Education
Master of Behavioral Studies - Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma; major in Counseling
Doctor of Educational Administration - East Texas State University** in Commerce, Texas
Dr. Parker began her teaching career in 1970 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. After a distinguished career in Texas City ISD as a teacher, a counselor, an assistant principal, and a principal, she joined Team GISD in fall 1988 as principal of Montclair Elementary School.
She was named Director of Elementary Schools in 1991, and was subsequently named to her current position as Assistant Superintendent in summer of 2001.
Gary Reeves, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Administration
Bachelor of Science - Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas; major in Physical Education
Master of Education -East Texas State University** in Commerce, Texas; major in Physical Education, minor in Secondary & Higher Education
Doctor of Education - Baptist Christian University in Shreveport, Louisiana; major in Educational Administration
Dr. Reeves was a teacher and coach in Dallas ISD prior to joining the GISD staff as a teacher. He has also served as an Assistant Principal, an Elementary Principal, and a High School Principal prior to being named an Assistant Superintendent in 1984.
Rene Barajas, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Business Operations
Bachelor of Business Administration – The University of Texas at San Antonio
Master of Business Administration – The University of Texas at San Antonio
Doctor of Philosophy – The University of Texas at Austin, major in Educational Administration
Dr. Barajas joined the GISD staff in February 2008, coming to Garland from the San Marcos Consolidated ISD where he also served as assistant superintendent of business operations. While at SMCISD, his implementations increased the district fund balance from a record low of $1.3-million in 2001, to more than $18-million upon his departure. That figure represents the highest fund balance ever recorded in SMCISD history.
Barajas is well tailored to the education industry’s business division. Prior to his stay in San Marcos, he served three years as director of business in San Antonio for the Fort Sam Houston ISD. From 1995-98 he was business manager for the Crosby ISD in Houston.
In Garland, Barajas hopes to move beyond the numbers in his role as assistant superintendent, become more involved in educational issues and try to help the district figure out ways to maximize returns on educational investments.
John Washington
Assistant Superintendent, Community Relations and Student Services
Bachelor of Arts - Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana; major in Health Science
Master of Education - East Texas State University** in Commerce, Texas; major in Education Administration
Mr. Washington began his teaching career in GISD in 1977 as a middle school teacher. He left to become an assistant principal in La Marque, Texas in 1983, and subsequently joined the administrative team in Lubbock ISD, where he served as Director of Personnel and Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. He came to Garland ISD in fall of 1999 after four years as Assistant Superintendent for Student Services in Lubbock.