Long-Time CISD Principal Announces Retirement

Eubanks principal Mark Terry (pictured right) with Carroll ISD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services JJ Villarreal (left) and Congressman Kenny Marchant.

After serving more than three decades in public education, Eubanks Intermediate School principal Mark Terry is retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Terry has worked in the Carroll Independent School District since 1995 and held the principal position at Eubanks since 2001. He has served in all levels of public education from elementary to high school and worked in rural, urban and suburban districts. Before taking the position at Eubanks, Terry was principal at the former Durham Elementary School and Durham Intermediate.

“This is not an easy decision for me,” Terry said. “As I have mentioned, I still wake up each morning ready to greet kids in the crosswalk, ready to discuss with teachers how to make our school a better place for our kids, and ready to work with you, our other parents, and with the dedicated Carroll leaders and employees.  Thank you once again for your honoring me the opportunity to work with your student.”

Terry has also served in numerous roles in national education associations. He has been a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals since 1993 and was elected the association’s president for 2012-2013. NAESP represents Pre-K through 8^th grade in the United States, Canada and overseas. In 2011, Terry and members of NAESP traveled to the Dominican Republic to build school a school with the Lifetouch Memory Mission.

He earned the HOPE Foundation Courageous Leaders Award in 2011, an award accepted on behalf of principals across the nation.

In 2005, Terry was recognized by Texas School Business magazine as the Educator of the Month and in 2006, Terry was presented the TEPSA Presidential Service Award.  He received the Carroll Independent School District True to the Core Award in 2008, the TEPSA Student Council Leadership Award in 2009, and the NAESP Outstanding Service Award in 2010.

Terry began his education career in 1980 as an elementary teacher at Dunn Elementary School in Arlington ISD. He served as assistant principal of Arlington Lamar High School (1987-1990) and Dunn Elementary School and Miller Elementary School (1983-1987). Terry was principal of Weldon Intermediate School from 1993 to 1995 in Gladewater ISD and principal of Durham Elementary & Intermediate School in Carroll ISD from 1995 to 2001.

“At some point in the life of a principal, he must make a decision as to when it is time to allow someone else to push his school to greater heights,” Terry said. “After a great deal of prayer, family discussion with my wife, Karen, and encouragement from my three adult children, I believe it’s time for me to step aside and allow the next phase of growth to occur at Eubanks Intermediate. “

Terry earned a B.A. in history and elementary education from the University of Texas at Arlington and a M.Ed. in public school administration from North Texas State University. His wife, Karen Terry, currently works at Carroll Senior High School. The couple has three children, Katie, Reed and Laura, all graduates of Carroll.