McKinney, Texas – Longtime principal of Minshew Elementary Inetra Nelson has been named principal of Malvern Elementary following the recent retirement of previous principal Rhonda Gilliam.
Nelson brings 24 years of experience in a variety of positions and grade levels to the job and 14 years in campus administration, most recently as the principal of Minshew Elementary. But, as a proud native of McKinney and product of MISD, Nelson’s educational journey in the district goes back much further.
During her formative years, she attended Finch and Burks Elementary Schools and what was then Slaughter Intermediate School. Her time in middle school was spent at Faubion, and in 1994, she graduated from, “THE McKinney High School.”
Along the way, she encountered educators who would become icons of the district; Johnson Elementary namesake Reuben Johnson was her principal at Burks Elementary, and Jesse McGowen, for whom McGowen Elementary was named, was her high school counselor.
Nelson said that her deep roots in the community have fueled her passion for contributing to the district that shaped her.
Inetra Nelson (left, front row) stands with her 1st grade class next to then Burks Elementary Principal Reuben Johnson who would go on to become the namesake of Johnson Elementary. Nelson said that her deep roots in the community have fueled her passion for contributing to the district that shaped her. Nelson’s first teaching job in McKinney ISD was at Johnson Elementary.
“I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to join the Malvern family and excited to work alongside the Red Hawks educators,” she said. “The legacy that Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Iola Lee Malvern worked so hard to instill will be the driving force behind all my efforts. Our students and staff deserve excellence, and I am committed to ensuring they continue to receive it.”
Nelson began her teaching journey in Coppell ISD, where she taught Spanish to Kindergarten–5th grade students. She moved on to teach 3rd grade in Plano ISD before returning home to MISD as a 3rd grade teacher at Reuben Johnson Elementary. She went on to serve as assistant principal at both Eddins Elementary and Minshew Elementary and then was named principal of Minshew, where she has led for the past 7 years.
Having served on a wide array of MISD leadership teams, Nelson’s impact has reached beyond the campus level: District Advisory Committee, Safety Committee, Strategic Planning – Action Team, Reconsideration Committee, Science Coordinator Interview Panel, Technology Team, Innovation Team and STEM Committee.
While looking with excitement toward what lies ahead at Malvern, Nelson had heartfelt words for the school where she has invested more than a decade of her career. “Serving the Minshew community for 11 years has been a gift like no other,” she said. “The bonds and memories formed throughout my journey will be cherished for a lifetime. Thank you, Colts family, for your unwavering dedication and support. You are remarkable and will continue to do great things. Once a Colt, Always a Colt.”
Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies with a minor in Spanish from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in education from Texas Woman’s University.