Daniel Girard, Principal
Daniel Girard has been the Akins High School principal since the 2007-2008 school year. He graduated from University of North Florida in Jacksonville with a B.A. in mathematics education and later from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton with an M.Ed. in Educational Administration. Mr. Girard was a mathematics teacher in West Palm Beach, Florida for ten years before going into administration. Most recently, Mr. Girard was a principal in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Girard’s two children are graduates of Akins High School (2009) and his wife is a Language Arts teacher in AISD. Mr. Girard was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada and speaks French fluently. Mr. Girard’s contact information: daniel.girard@austinisd.org; (512)841-9900.
Julieanne Arreola, Associate Principal
Julieanne Arreola was born and raised in Oklahoma and “ran” to Texas immediately after her graduation from Central State University. Most of Julieanne’s twenty-two-year career has been in Special Education, and she has spent the last nine years in administration. Her hobbies include swimming, biking, and boating (in any type of boat). The social life that she lives is mostly entertaining her adorable pug “Puddles” and caring for “Myrtle,” her turtle. Julieanne is thankful for every day and everything she has in her life. Ms. Arreola’s contact information: julieanne.arreola@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.
Barry Bacom, Academy Director
Barry Bacom is the Assistant Principal and Director of New Tech High. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a B.A. in Secondary Education and later from the University of Texas at Austin with an M.Ed. in Educational Administration. Barry was a Social Studies teacher in Hays CISD. He has worked as an Administrator for McNeil High School in Round Rock ISD and has been at Akins since 2006. Barry enjoys cooking and would like to be a chef when he grows up! He also enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, canoeing, and biking. Barry and his wife have a son and three dogs. Mr. Bacom’s contact information: barry.bacom@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.
Manuel Garcia, Assistant Principal
Manuel Garcia is the Assitant Principal for the Social Services Academy. He is originally from a small town, Santa Maria, in the Rio Grande Valley. Mr. Garcia attended St. Edward’s University and in 1995, he graduated with a degree in education (History & Political Science). In 2004, he received his masters in educational administration. Mr. Garcia began his teaching career in the Austin Independent School District in 1996. He has been a teacher, assistant principal and principal. This is his second year at Akins High School. Mr. Garcia is passionately active in helping students succeed in the SS Academy. Outside of Akins, Mr. Garcia likes to spend valuable time with his two beautiful children, Sabrina (4.5 years old) and Travis (2.5 years old). Hobbies include traveling, raising Lady Gouldian finches, and spending time with friends and family. Mr. Garcia’s contact information: manuel.garcia@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.
Juan Gonzalez, Assistant Principal
Juan Michael Gonzalez serves as the AP for the STEM Academy. He hails from Victoria, TX, and graduated from Texas A&M with a B.S in Political Science and from the University of Houston-Victoria with an M.B.A. during which time he received Administrative Certification. This is his 14th year in education. He spent seven years as a classroom teacher and 7 years as an administrator. Mr. Gonzalez is married with three children, two boys and one girl. He and his boys are avid baseball fans, and he coaches his son’s CPYL National League. His dream would be to take a team to the Little League World Series. His favorite players are Chipper Jones and John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves. He has met both! Mr. Gonzalez’s contact information: juan.gonzalez@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.
Pam Gray, Assistant Principal
Pamela Gray is an Assistant Principal in the ACES Academy. Ms. Gray received her B.S. in Education from Texas Tech University and M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Gray began her teaching career in Austin Independent School District as a seventh and eighth grade mathematics teacher at Mendez Middle School. She has worked in AISD for 17 years as a teacher and campus administrator. This is her second year at Akins. When she is not working, Ms. Gray loves kickboxing, eating chocolate chip ice cream and watching “I Love Lucy” reruns on TV. Ms. Gray’s contact information: pamela.gray@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.
Joe Ruiz, Assistant Principal
Joe Ruiz is an Assistant Principal in the ABLLE Academy. Mr. Ruiz grew up in San Antonio, TX. He received his BS in Spanish and History from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as his M.Ed. in Educational Administration. Mr. Ruiz has been with AISD for his entire 26-year educational career! He taught Spanish and US history for 17 years and has served as an Assistant Principal at Akins for 8 years. He has two wonderful children. When he’s not busy working to enhance our ELL program, Mr. Ruiz enjoys reading, and traveling. Mr. Ruiz’s contact information: joe.ruiz@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.
Kimberly Wilson, Assistant Principal
Kimberly Wilson is the AP for the Arts & Humanities Academy. She received her B.S.Ed from Athens State University and her M.Ed. from UT. This is her 5th year as an Assistant Principal. During her 10 years teaching, Ms. Wilson taught all of the following: English, Reading, Speech, Broadcast and Print Journalism, Teen Leadership, Video Tech and Film-Making, and Film Analysis and Critique. She also coached girls cross-country and track. Ms. Wilson became a teacher because she wanted to make a difference. She became an administrator because she wanted to make an impact! Her hobbies include going to the gym, movies, theater, live comedy, and spending time with family and friends. Ms. Wilson’s contact information: kimberly.d.wilson@austinisd.org; (512) 841-9900.