Ms. Higginbotham is entering her 25^th year in Education and her 7^th year with Irving ISD.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Baylor University and her Master’s Degree from the University of Texas at Tyler.  Her teaching fields include RLA and Special Education.  During her career, she has taught Grades 4-12.  Ms. Higginbotham is serving in her second year as the Administrative Liaison at Johnson Middle School.

Mr. Alday has a Bachelor of Science in Bilingual Education and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Texas Woman’s University. Mr. Alday is a member of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. He has served over 23 years as an educator, beginning as a first-grade bilingual teacher in 1999 and moving to an administrator in 2004. Mr. Alday began his career with Irving ISD as an Assistant Principal in 2006 and served at Lamar Middle School for 7 years and Travis Middle School for 5 years. This year marks the 4^th year at Lady Bird. In addition to his administrative role, Mr. Alday enjoys serving the community and spending time with his wife, a science teacher, and his two beautiful daughters.

Mr. Alday is excited to be part of the Johnson Middle School family and work with such wonderful kids, parents/guardians and staff. He believes that all students can achieve high levels of success and he accepts “No Excuses” from any student not to achieve success!

 GO Eagles!

Rory VerNisie is entering his 7th year in the education field, he spent six years at Irving HS as a statistics teacher and coach. Rory graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and is working on his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. In his free time, Rory loves to spend time with his wife and play basketball and baseball.

LaTasha Whitaker was born and raised in Kansas City, MO.  She moved to Texas in 2007 after getting married, and she loves being a Texas resident.  She began to pursue her educational career in 2012 by completing the Texas Teachers certification program and landing a job as a Perm. Sub in Irving ISD and then moving on to be a TA for Uplift Education.  After teaching two years in Fort Worth ISD, she returned to Irving ISD to continue her career path.

Mrs. Whitaker has a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management- Finance from DeVry University.  In December 2016, she received her Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a Math Ed. Emphasis from UTA.  She recently received her Principal Certification from Lamar University.  She has experience teaching Science & Math, as well as being an Interventionist.  She recently served in the role of AVID Coordinator at de Zavala Middle school.  She is excited to begin her role as an administrator at Lady Bird Johnson MS and looks forward to continuing to grow as an educational leader as well as grow teachers for the continued academic success for all students.

Mrs. Whitaker’s educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, a supportive family.