New Principal and Wife Join Leakey ISD Faculty/Staff for 2009-2010 School Year
by Leakey ISD Webmaster
September 01, 2009
9/16/2009-News Release-Leakey Independent School District-Fred R. McNiel, Superintendent
New Principal and Wife Join Leakey ISD Faculty/Staff for 2009-2010 School Year
Rusty and Vicki Baldwin recently moved from Sonora ISD to accept teaching and administrative positions with the Leakey ISD. Mr. Baldwin is the new K-12 Principal and his wife Vicki is the new fifth grade teacher. The Baldwins moved to Leakey early in June at which time Mr. Baldwin began his administrative duties. Mr. Baldwin’s father was a Baptist preacher and consequently the family lived in a number of communities while he was growing up. Most of his childhood was spent in Bastrop and McGregor where he graduated from McGregor High School in 1971. Soon after graduating from high school Mr. Baldwin enrolled in Howard Payne University located in Brownwood. He graduated from the Howard Payne University in 1976 and moved to Houston where he worked for a oil field supply company. Soon after moving to Houston Mr. Baldwin met the former Vicki Holder and they married in May, 1980 and have enjoyed twenty-nine years of wedded bliss!
Vicki Holder Baldwin spent her childhood in Houston and Louisiana. She graduated from Singer High School in 1974. Singer is a very small town located about forty miles from Lake Charles. After graduating from high school Mrs. Baldwin attended McNeese State University. After raising her three children, Vicki completed her college education and graduated from Howard Payne University in 1994 with a degree in Education. She is currently enrolled in Lamar State University taking on-line course work that will eventually result in Mrs. Baldwin receiving a Masters degree in School Administration!
The Baldwin’s are the proud parents of three adult children and four grandchildren. Their oldest son Ryan, a graduate of Texas A&M University, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer. He is currently stationed in Washington State and is married to Maki. They have a son, Evan and a daughter Hana. The oldest daughter Julee is married to Brandon Evans and they are the proud parents of two children, McKenzie and Cooper. Julee also graduated from Texas A&M University. Mr. Evans is an assistant principal at Vista Ridge High School in the Leander ISD. The youngest daughter Jenna is married to Tyler Bobinmyer. This couple is expecting their first baby in October. Jenna is a graduate of Texas Tech University. Recently Mr. Bobinmyer accepted the position of Kinney County Agriculture Extension Agent and they will be moving to Brackettville before the end of the calendar year.
Vicki Baldwin began her teaching career in Bangs, Texas and has sixteen years of experience as an elementary teacher. All of her teaching experience has been with students in grades 5-8. This year Vicki and the fourth grade teacher, Terry McNiel, are working together to teach the LISD students in fourth and fifth grade. Mrs. Baldwin teaches reading, writing, spelling, and language arts to the 4th and 5th graders and Mrs. McNiel teaches math and science to all the 4th and 5th graders.
Mr. Baldwin has worked as a band director for the past twenty-six years and graduated from Sul Ross State University in August, 2008 with a degree in Educational Administration. Mr. Baldwin was one of more than thirty applicants who applied for the vacant principal position when former LISD principal Lorri Gonzalez made the decision to return to the classroom. Mr. Baldwin was one of eight finalists selected for interview by the Leakey ISD Site Based Committee and after a week of interviewing candidates, Mr. Baldwin was unanimously selected by the committee as the candidate that they would recommend to the Leakey ISD School Board for hiring. While this is Mr. Baldwin’s first principalship, he more than makes up for his lack of experience with his enthusiasm, personality and leadership ability. When he is not working at school, Mr. Baldwin enjoys hunting, fishing and playing with his grandchildren! He is a cowboy at heart and enjoys wearing his cowboy hat and boots to school each day.
Vicki Baldwin’s hobbies include: reading, gardening and decorating. The Baldwins are thrilled that their youngest daughter, son-in-law, and soon to arrive new grandbaby will be moving within an hour’s drive of Leakey. Both Rusty and Vicki have made a very positive impression on our students and faculty. Please join us in welcoming this outstanding family to the Leakey community.