Administration

Lyniece Catalan

Principal, East Handley Elementary School

Lyniece Catalan is an instructional leader with a record of accelerating student achievement and leading effective campus transformation. Across roles as an Assistant Principal, Literacy Specialist, and Instructional Coach, she has delivered measurable gains by strengthening instructional practice, building educator capacity, and implementing data-driven systems that have driven student outcomes.
 

Her leadership has contributed to significant improvements in campus performance and accelerated outcomes for historically underserved student populations—illustrating the impact of aligned systems, a sense of urgency, and focused instructional leadership. She is recognized for her ability to translate data into strategic action, provide actionable feedback, and facilitate high-functioning professional learning communities that directly enhance teaching and learning.
 

Ms. Catalan is committed to building leadership capacity at all levels, developing teachers and teams to lead effectively, coach, and sustain continuous improvement. She fosters a professional culture grounded in high expectations, accountability, and strong relational trust, ensuring both immediate impact and long-term success. Her recognitions include Amplify Ambassador, Teacher of the Year, Texas Education Agency
distinctions in Reading, and the Teacher Incentive Allotment Master Teacher designation. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Houston–Downtown and completed the Professional Principal Preparation Program at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.
 

Ms. Catalan is positioned to serve Fort Worth ISD and lead meaningful, sustained campus transformation through strong instruction, educator development, and measurable results for every student.

Dr. Loretta Velez

Assistant Principal, East Handley Elementary School

Dr. Velez brings a strong background in elementary education and instructional leadership, with a passion for supporting student achievement, empowering teachers, and building positive relationships with families and the community. Throughout her career, she has worked collaboratively with students, staff, and stakeholders to create learning environments where all children feel valued, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.

Her experience in educational leadership has centered on fostering academic excellence, cultivating a positive school culture, and ensuring that every student has access to meaningful opportunities for growth and success. Dr. Velez is committed to partnering with teachers and families to support the whole child and promote a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement.

Dr. Velez is excited to join the East Handley Elementary ELEVATE family and is looking forward to building relationships with students, staff, and families. She is eager to contribute to the school’s continued success and help create an exceptional educational experience for every student.