Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary Welcomes Melissa Arely Kender as New Principal

The Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees officially announced the appointment of Melissa Arely Kender as Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary's new principal at their June 16, 2026 meeting.

Throughout the search process, district leaders sought a bilingual educator dedicated to fostering inclusive, rigorous learning environments for all children, a description perfectly matched by Ms. Kender’s background and leadership philosophy.

A Proven Track Record of Educational Excellence

Ms. Kender joins Hornsby-Dunlap with a distinguished background in administrative leadership within Austin ISD, where she served as an Academic Dean and Assistant Principal. Her leadership career follows several highly successful years in the classroom as an AVID and Spanish teacher.

Her qualifications and recent accolades include:

• Master’s Degree: Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington.

• Award-Winning Leadership: Honored as the Austin ISD Assistant Principal of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.

Known for her inspiring and empathetic approach, Ms. Kender’s leadership at Hornsby-Dunlap will focus on four core pillars: Academic Excellence, Positive School Culture, Family Communication, and Championing Equity.

In addition to Ms. Kender’s appointment, the campus is also welcoming Mr. Sage Cavazos as a new Assistant Principal. Mr. Cavazos transitions to Hornsby-Dunlap from Waco ISD, where he served as an assistant principal, bringing valuable administrative experience to the community.

Mr. Cavazos completes the campus leadership team alongside current Assistant Principal Ms. Mamie Ramos. Together, this complete administrative team is well-positioned to serve as strong advocates for Hornsby-Dunlap students and families.