Meet our Administrators

Mrs. Sandra Espinoza is proudly entering her fourth year as Principal at Felix G. Botello, a role that holds deep personal meaning for her as she serves the community where she was raised. A Dallas ISD alumna, her educational journey began at James Bowie Elementary, continued through Greiner Middle School, and Adamson High School, and culminated at Sunset High School. Mrs. Espinoza earned her Bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman's University and went on to earn two Master’s degrees: one in Counseling from Amberton University and another in Educational Leadership from UNT Dallas. Her extensive educational background and commitment to her community drive her dedication to supporting both the students and families of Botello. Mrs. Espinoza feels honored to serve the families and students of her own community, bringing both personal experience and professional expertise to her role.

She has had a remarkable and diverse career in education within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Her extensive experience as a teacher assistant, teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal highlights her deep commitment to student success. Her various roles have given her a comprehensive understanding of the educational system and the many ways to support and lead students. 

As an Assistant Principal, she played a pivotal role in opening the first dual language, magnet campus in Pleasant Grove, working alongside her principal, Ms. Ramirez for Dallas ISD. The School for the Talented and Gifted achieved an impressive A rating and earned 6 out of 6 Academic Distinction Designations after its first year. 

Under her leadership as Principal, Botello staff and teachers have achieved significant accolades, including Gold Ribbon status for the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, the school has achieved an impressive Accountability Rating of A in 2021- 2022 and earned 5 out of 6 Academic Distinction Designations from the Texas Education Agency.  This year Botello has earned an A rating through DallasISD.

In 2023, Principal Espinoza was honored with the Master Principal Award, a testament to her outstanding leadership. She credits the school's success to the high standards and unwavering spirit of excellence demonstrated by the Botello staff and teachers. Their deep commitment to their students is both impressive and heartfelt. It is clear that the success of the school is a result of a collective team effort, where the entire school community functions as a family dedicated to nurturing and educating the whole child.

Her mission, shared with her school staff and teachers, is to close both the educational and opportunity gaps to ensure student success. She understands firsthand how education can transform not only the lives of individual students but also their families, thereby impacting the cycle of poverty and influencing generations. Her commitment reflects a deep belief in education's power to drive meaningful, long-term change.

La Sra. Sandra Espinoza comienza con orgullo su cuarto año como directora de Felix G. Botello, un rol que tiene un profundo significado personal para ella mientras sirve a la comunidad donde creció. Como alumna de Dallas ISD, su trayectoria educativa comenzó en la escuela primaria James Bowie, continuó en la escuela secundaria Greiner y la escuela secundaria Adamson, y culminó en la escuela secundaria Sunset. La Sra. Espinoza obtuvo su licenciatura de la Texas Woman 's University y obtuvo dos maestrías: una en Consejería de la Universidad Amberton y otra en Liderazgo Educativo de la UNT Dallas. Su amplia formación educativa y su compromiso con su comunidad impulsan su dedicación para apoyar tanto a los estudiantes como a las familias de Botello. La Sra. Espinoza se siente honrada de servir a las familias y estudiantes de su propia comunidad, aportando experiencia personal y profesional a su función.

Ha tenido una carrera notable y diversa en educación dentro del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dallas (DISD). Su amplia experiencia como asistente de maestra, maestra, consejera, subdirectora y directora resalta su profundo compromiso con el éxito de los estudiantes. Sus diversas funciones le han brindado una comprensión integral del sistema educativo y las muchas formas de apoyar y guiar a los estudiantes. 

Como subdirectora, desempeñó un papel fundamental en la apertura del primer campus magnet de lenguaje dual en Pleasant Grove, trabajando junto a su directora, la Sra. Ramírez, para Dallas ISD. La Escuela para Talentosos y Superdotados logró una impresionante Calificación del Estado, una A y obtuvo 6 de 6 Designaciones de Distinción Académica después de su primer año. 

Bajo su liderazgo como directora, el personal y los maestros de Botello han logrado importantes reconocimientos, incluido el estatus Gold Ribbon para el año escolar 2022-2023. Además, la escuela logró una impresionante Calificación del Estado de A en 2021-2022 y obtuvo 5 de 6 Designaciones de Distinción Académica de la Agencia de Educación de Texas.  Este año Botello obtuvo una calificación A a través de DallasISD.

 

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.