Katy ISD Announces New Principal for WCJH, Executive Director of Special Education

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

July 1, 2020

By Jennifer Miko

Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski promoted two internal campus leaders to new roles in the District. Dr. Andrew Lowry has been appointed the new principal of WoodCreek Junior High, and Gwen Coffey was promoted to Executive Director of Special Education.

Two familiar faces in Katy ISD move into new positions for the 2020-21 school year. Dr. Andrew Lowry will lead the Wolf Pack at WoodCreek Junior High, and Gwen Coffey will serve as the Executive Director of Special Education in Katy ISD.

New Principal for WoodCreek Junior High

“It is with great pride and excitement that I accept the role of Principal at WoodCreek Junior High," Dr. Lowry says. "I feel very honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such a rich tradition of excellence!”

For 14 years, Dr. Andrew Lowry has worked in various roles across the District. He started his career teaching and coaching at Cinco Ranch High School, and two years later, he stepped into the role of Science Instructional Coach for both Cinco Ranch and Morton Ranch high schools. In 2013, Dr. Lowry moved into an administrative role, as Assistant Principal at Tompkins High School when it first opened. Four years later, he became the Associate Principal at Mayde Creek High School.

Dr. Lowry holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Masters of Science Degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and he obtained a Master of Science Degree and Doctorate in Education from the University of Houston - Clear Lake.

“Along with the teachers and staff, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success at WoodCreek Junior High by building strong relationships with parents, students and community partners,” says Dr. Lowry.

District's New Executive Director of Special Education

“I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to lead the Katy ISD Special Education department in supporting our students, families, teachers, and administrators,” Gwen Coffey says.

Coffey began her career, as a teacher in Corpus Christi, TX in 1996. She taught in Katy ISD at Golbow Elementary from 1999-2005.

Coffey left the classroom and moved into counselor positions in Lamar CISD and Spring ISD, and was promoted to Assistant Principal at Bammel Middle School there. In 2012, she returned to Katy ISD as an Assistant Principal at Cimarron Elementary. Three years later Coffey moved to Rylander Elementary as their principal. In 2018, she became the District’s Director for Compliance.

Coffey holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, a second Master’s Degree from University of Houston-Victoria, and she is currently working on her Ed.D. from Texas Tech with an anticipated graduation date of 2020.

“I look forward to the continued development of outstanding opportunities for Katy ISD students through the combination of departmental support, the ongoing efforts of campus staff, and parent partnerships,” says Coffey.