Meet Our Principal

Tania Gaytan was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. After teaching in Mexico, the Dallas ISD Alternative Certification program recruited her in 2007. She moved to Texas to find a new home and career with Dallas ISD. She has spent the last 16 years with the district serving students at John Ireland Elementary, now Sylvia Mendez CREW Leadership Academy, where she taught for eleven years, and at Urban Park for two years. During her career, she has served as a teacher assistant, bilingual teacher, and assistant principal. 

She is passionate about ensuring all students enjoy learning and has a proven track record of attaining double-digit improvements every year. She was designated as a TEA Exemplary teacher and a DTR Proficient III teacher under the Teacher Excellence Initiative. 

Tania earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León. She later earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she also received her principal certification. She recently participated in the Future Principal Institute from the LEAD Department at Dallas ISD. 

Her vision is that every student and teacher looks forward to coming to school and feels proud about their accomplishments every day. She has always demonstrated a passion for learning and consistently strives to ensure the success of our students and teachers.