Kara Lea Deardorff promoted to principal of Byron Nelson High School

Kara Lea Deardorff

The Northwest ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to elevate Kara Lea Deardorff to principal of Byron Nelson High School, moving the veteran educator up from her current position as associate principal.

Mrs. Deardorff has served the students of Northwest ISD for 14 years, first as a teacher and later moving into campus administration. She has served as associate principal of Byron Nelson since 2014, leading educational initiatives in curriculum and instruction.

Prior to her time at Byron Nelson, Mrs. Deardorff served the students and staff of Northwest High School. She joined both the school and the district in 2008 as an English teacher, later becoming a campus instructional teacher. In 2012, she entered the administration at Northwest High School as an assistant principal, a role she held until moving to Byron Nelson High School.

Mrs. Deardorff becomes just the third principal in Byron Nelson High School history, succeeding Dr. Ron Myers, who is retiring at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. She said the partnership with students, families and staff make the Byron Nelson community a strong educational environment for all students.

“I’m honored beyond words to continue supporting our Bobcat students and teachers, as this community is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “The support our school receives from families is outstanding, and I know we have an equally amazing staff. Most importantly, I know our students represent the Bobcat legacy well, and I’m looking forward to building upon our school traditions.”

Mrs. Deardorff began her educational career in 2004 as a high school English teacher/coach in Amarillo ISD and then continued to teach English in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD at the middle school level.

Regional and state organizations have highlighted Mrs. Deardorff as a top educational administrator. In 2021, the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals for Region 11 named Mrs. Deardorff an Assistant Principal of the Year. She has also served as a presenter at multiple professional educational leadership associations.

Mrs. Deardorff earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from West Texas A&M University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. She holds a principal certification from Lamar University.