HHS Admin Team

Mr. John Montelongo, Principal

John Montelongo, Principal of Hightower High School, previously served as Assistant Superintendent of School Support Services for Comal ISD, where he also served as Executive Director of Secondary Schools and as a high school principal during his career. Montelongo began his career as a teacher and coach, and then as an assistant principal and principal for several high schools. He was an assistant principal at FBISD's Bush High School from 2001-2003. He obtained his master's degree in Education Administration from Texas Southern University and a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin University.

Dr. Cozette Church Gaston, Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction

Cozette Church Gaston comes to Hightower High School with phenomenal administrative experience and training with Houston A+ Challenge. She received a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University and has earned two Masters Degrees from Prairie View A&M University: a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling, and a Master of Educational Administration. Mrs. Church Gaston directed an after school program for at-risk students, Community Leaders Aligned, for Scholastic Success (C.L.A.S.S.) with Communities in Schools at E.A. Jones Elementary School, where she developed a deep passion for increased teaching and learning in urban schools. Therefore, while working with Communities in Schools (CIS), she developed an interest in providing culturally-responsive instruction inside the classroom and thus began a second career as a middle school certified teacher in Special Education before pursuing her administrative career with Houston A+ Challenge. She has facilitated staff development trainings at the state level since 2002. Mrs. Church Gaston is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with Capella University and will end the 2016-2017 school year with her doctoral degree.

Mr. Ronnie Adams, Assistant Principal

Mr. Adams has 38 years of experience in education. During the first 14 years he was a Head Track Coach, Assistant Football, and Basketball Coach. He taught Science, Math, and Health in the Beaumont Golden Triangle area and Baytown Texas. He has been an Assistant and Associate Principal at the Elementary, Middle School, and High School level. This is his ninth year as an Assistant Principal at Hightower High School. Mr. Adams currently serves as the principal for students in grade 10 and is dedicated to ensuring that all students are successful and achieve at the highest level.

Mr. Sam Burton, Assistant Principal

Mr. Burton has 25 years of experience in education. During his first 13 years, he served as a special education teacher/department chair in Houston ISD at Hartman Middle School, Alief ISD at Youngblood Intermediate and Alief Middle School, and Fort Bend ISD at Hodges Bend Middle School. He has been an assistant principal for the last 12 years. Mr. Burton is currently serving as principal for students in the 9th grade.

Dr. Sharon Delesbore, Assistant Principal

Dr. D. will serve as the 9th grade assistant principal for the 2018-19 school year. This begins her 24th year in education where she has served as a science teacher, volleyball and basketball coach, science instructional specialist and teacher mentor. As an administrator in middle school and high school for over 15 years, Dr. D. loves to motivate all students to dream big and take advantage of every positive opportunity in life. "Others' perceived failures are my learning opportunities."

Dr. D. is an FBISD alumni having attended school at Ridgemont Elementary, Missouri City Junior High School and Willowridge High School where she was the first African-American class valedictorian in school history. She obtained a scholarship to play Division - 1 basketball at the University of Houston where she earned two bachelor of science degrees in biology and psychology. She also earned her masters degree at the University of Houston in curriculum and instruction focusing in science education. She furthered her education by completing the principal certification program with Stephen F. Austin University as well as obtaining 33 hours of instruction at the Harvard Graduate School of Education as a participant in the National Institute for Urban School Leaders. She is a true science advocate and her work lead to her doctoral endorsement from Kingsbridge University through work with the National Science Teachers Association and the National Science Foundation

Ms. Mary Dowd, Dean of Instruction

I have been an educator for over 25 years. I bring 15 years of Administration experience from San Antonio ISD and Frisco ISD. I taught English Language Arts at the middle school level for 10 years in Frisco ISD, Lubbock ISD, and Amarillo ISD. I have a Bachelor's degree from West Texas State University and a Master's degree from Texas Woman's University. I currently serve as the principal for students in the 12th grade.

Ms. Hilda Salinas, Assistant Principal

Ms. Hilda Salinas has been an educator for 20 years. She has served as a Teacher, Coach, and Counselor in Corpus Christi Independent School District. Ms. Salinas received her B.S. in Social Work from the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg and two Master of Science Degrees from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi: M.S. Counseling and M.S. Secondary Education with a specialization in English. Ms. Salinas has taught 7th - 12th grade English, Speech and Communication, and Journalism. She coached Volleyball and Basketball at the high school level as well. She has also worked as a Social Worker and Juvenile Probation Officer, which further developed her passion for working with kids. This is Ms. Salinas' third year at Hightower High School and she is excited to serve the students in Fort Bend ISD. Ms. Salinas currently serves as principal for students in the 11th grade.

Ms. Tanya Heard, Associate Principal of Discipline and Operation