Meet our Administrators

I am both thrilled and humbled to serve as the principal of Felix G. Botello Personalized Learning Elementary School.

I was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Dallas at the age of five. I am a proud product of Dallas ISD, having attended Geneva Heights, Winnetka, and Bayles Elementary Schools, Gaston Middle School, and Skyline High School. I went on to study Civil Engineering and Spanish at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, I joined the Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program and began my teaching career at Lipscomb Elementary.

Discovering my passion for education, I pursued a Master of Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University in 2008, followed by a Master of Education in Leadership in 2018. Over the past 22 years, I’ve served in public education—15 as a classroom teacher and the last 7 in leadership roles. Most recently, I had the honor of serving as assistant principal at both Sanger Preparatory and Hexter Elementary.

I am the proud mom of two amazing teenagers who are currently enrolled in Dallas ISD. My son and daughter are bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural! As a family, we love live music, plays, and sporting events, and we especially enjoy traveling—whether it’s a local road trip or an adventure abroad.

Returning to Botello, where I previously served as assistant principal, feels like coming home. I am deeply committed to continuing the school’s legacy of excellence while fostering a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child can thrive. My vision is for all Botello students to grow into confident, capable learners—fully prepared for success at Garcia Middle School, Adamson High School, and beyond.

Mrs. Duana Holmes, a proud Dallas native and Dallas ISD alumna, holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Master’s in Education Administration from the University of North Texas at Dallas. With experience teaching kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grade within Dallas ISD and serving as a Math Instructional Coach, she is excited to collaborate with the Botello Elementary team to ensure a high-quality educational experience for every student and family. Mrs. Holmes supports risk-taking among teachers and students by providing timely feedback, quality resources, and growth opportunities. She believes strongly in teaching the whole child, understanding that students thrive when learning is personalized to their individual needs, identities, and intellectual challenges. She is committed to building trust in every classroom, creating an environment where students feel safe to explore, learn, and grow.

La Sra. Duana Holmes, orgullosa nativa de Dallas y ex alumna de Dallas ISD, tiene una licenciatura en Administración de Empresas de la Universidad Texas A&M-Commerce y una maestría en Administración Educativa de la Universidad del Norte de Texas en Dallas. Con experiencia enseñando kindergarten, segundo y tercer grado en Dallas ISD y desempeñándose como entrenadora de instrucción de matemáticas, está emocionada de colaborar con el equipo de Botello Elementary para garantizar una experiencia educativa de alta calidad para cada estudiante y familia. La Sra. Holmes apoya la toma de riesgos entre los maestros y los estudiantes al brindar retroalimentación oportuna, recursos de calidad y oportunidades de crecimiento. Cree firmemente en la enseñanza integral del niño y comprende que los estudiantes prosperan cuando el aprendizaje se personaliza según sus necesidades, identidades y desafíos intelectuales individuales. Está comprometida con generar confianza en cada aula, creando un entorno donde los estudiantes se sientan seguros para explorar, aprender y crecer.