Aug. 4, 2022—Derrick Crowder, assistant principal at Jersey Village High School, was named the new principal at Alternative Learning Center-West on Aug. 8. Crowder replaces Stacie Wicke, who was named a director of student services this summer.

Crowder has 13 years of experience in education, all coming in CFISD. His career began as a career and technology teacher at Cypress Creek High School and later moved into a teacher leader role as an academy coordinator in 2012. He was named the CFISD Secondary Teacher of the Year for the 2011-2012 school year.

He served in the classroom for six years before moving into administration when he was named an assistant principal at Dean Middle School in 2015. Crowder accepted his current assistant principal position at Jersey Village High School in 2020.

During his tenure as an assistant principal, Crowder served as an assistant principal mentor, summer school principal and STEM Camp director. In 2018, he was nominated for the National Life Group Foundation’s LifeChanger of the Year award, which recognizes educators across the United States making a difference in the lives of students through exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

Crowder earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Prairie View A&M University and Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a current doctoral student at the University of Houston.

“I am honored and blessed to have the opportunity to serve as principal with such an amazingly dedicated staff at ALC-West,” Crowder said. “Together, we will continue to positively change lives as we grow our students academically, socially and behaviorally. I look forward to partnering with all stakeholders and bringing out the best as we transition our students from a promise to a purpose, on the road to success!”