Note: This is the fourth in a series profiling the principals of Athens ISD’s five main campuses.
By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
Winston McCowan is an educator from a family of educators.
“I’m third generation,” said the Athens Middle School principal. “My grandmother taught for more than 30 years. My dad has been a college professor for more than 40 years; he spent 10 at Henderson County Junior College (now TVCC). My mom is a retired elementary principal. Before that she taught kindergarten at Bel Air and West Athens. Both my sisters are in education.” In other words, education is in his DNA.
McCowan’s very early childhood was spent in Athens, though all his formative years were in Mount Pleasant. Set on being a teacher, he graduated from Texas A&M Commerce and spent his first year teaching special education and life skills at Forney ISD. Not long into his classroom tenure, he went back to school and earned a master’s degree in secondary education. His very first year as an assistant principal at Palestine ISD, he was awarded TASSP (Texas Association of Secondary School Principals) Assistant Principal of the Year for Region VII.
“I was honored to receive the award, but it all went back to the hard work and the dedication that the teachers put in,” McCowan said. “When they work hard, it makes us look good. So it was a reflection of how wonderful the staff and teachers were.”
McCowan’s early years as an assistant principal were spent commuting from Athens, where his family has lived since 2007. So he was delighted in 2011 when he was offered the job as assistant principal at Athens High School.
“It felt great,” said McCowan. “Athens is my home away from home. It’s where I lived the first five years of my life.” He spent a year and a half at the high school and took over as principal of Athens Middle School in January 2012.
“I try to be an authentic, transparent leader,” he said. “I have an open door policy for parents and teachers.”
McCowan said he wants to build a rapport with the kids and set parents at ease. “Middle school is a transition time, not only for children, but their parents as well. It’s more hands-off for parents, and that can be hard to adjust to,” he said.
He said he is excited about the school year, noting, among other changes, an adjustment in the middle school schedule that changes tutorials from after-school to being built into the day.
“This is going to be a great year,” he said. “We’re very instructionally focused. We have great teachers and a strong administrative team.”
More about Winston McCowan
He played saxophone in high school and at Northeast Texas Community College on a jazz band scholarship.
He graduated from high school at the age of 17 and earned his bachelor’s degree at 20.
He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree through SFA’s educational leadership program.
His favorite TV show is “Martin.” “I have the whole series on DVD. I can say the lines along with him.”