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McKinney, Texas – When Kassie Halpin joined the staff at Bennett Elementary three and a half years ago as assistant principal, she already had over 10 years of instructional and campus leadership experience under her belt.

With the recent announcement that Principal Amy Holderman would be leaving Bennett to serve as principal of 91͵��’s new Frazier Elementary, Halpin is the district’s choice to succeed Holderman as the next principal of Bennett Elementary. The decision was approved by the 91͵�� Board of Trustees at their monthly meeting on Dec. 13.

Newly named Bennett Principal Kassie Halpin hugs a student during Bennett’s 20th anniversary assembly in October. Halpin has previously served as Bennett’s assistant principal for the past three and a half years.

Halpin brings a wide range of experience gleaned from 14 years in elementary education in 91͵�� and Allen ISD that includes expertise in ESL, gifted and talented education and crisis prevention. During her career, she’s been a 4th grade classroom teacher and a grade level chair. She’s served on campus improvement and curriculum writing teams. She’s mentored new teachers, been an assistant principal work group leader and helped guide new assistant principals.

Now, she will deploy that experience in a broader leadership role. 91͵�� Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Suzy Woodard said that she has seen Halpin grow over the past three and half years and is pleased to see her advance to the role of principal.

“Kassie knows Bennett’s strengths and challenges, and she helped set the goals for the campus this year,” Woodard said. “She knows the students, families and teachers at Bennett, and she’s been an integral part of the positive culture at that campus. Kassie is invested in Bennett, and she loves the school. She’ll be able to really hit the ground running to continue to support the campus and all the great things that they have been doing.”

In October, Kassie Halpin (left) and Amy Holderman presented an “A” to the Bennett student body in celebration of the school’s A rating from TEA. In November, Holderman was announced as the first principal of the new Frazier Elementary, and in December, 91͵�� named Halpin as the new principal of Bennett.

Halpin is excited to continue that work at Bennett. “I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to move into the role of principal at Bennett,” she said. “My desire is to meet the needs of all those that I serve in our Bennett community, and it is truly a privilege to continue the legacy that has been established here. Because of our strong teacher, parent and community support, Bennett is the ‘very best school in McKinney.’ I am excited to continue to serve alongside such a wonderful group of educators, and I cannot think of a better place to begin this new journey.”

Halpin and her husband Matt are the parents of twins, Cade and Kate (12). “They are the joy of my life!” Halpin said. “They make me strive to be a better person every day. When I am not on campus, I am at the basketball court with Cade or in the audience watching Kate dance. We love to travel and spend time with family and friends.”

Halpin earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and her master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University.

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