District Education Center
Lufkin ISD’s District Education Center is dedicated to the success of all students and is committed to excellence in teaching and learning by providing programs that are designed to challenge and support all learners.
In addition to core curricular areas — language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, digital learning and fine arts — the District Education Center provides opportunities for those students with disabilities, dyslexia, Gifted and Talented students, ESL/bilingual students, and alternative programs for credit recovery.
Our group works to ensure that both design and delivery of the written, taught and tested curriculum is in alignment throughout the district. Through professional development, we strive to empower teachers to use a variety of effective instructional strategies to actively engage students in activities that promote conceptual understanding.
The District Education Center designs curriculum, assessments, instructional programs and professional development plans that are aligned with research based instructional best practices and works to provide a rigorous curriculum designed to ensure innovative, customized learning opportunities for all students.
District Education Center Staff
OFFICE INFO

Shelly Slaton
Assistant Superintendent of Education Services and Accountability
📧 sslaton@lufkinisd.org
🕚 (936) 633-6145

Alison Hillis
Director of Advanced Academics
📧 ahillis@lufkinisd.org
🖥 Advanced Academics web page
🕚 (936) 630-4295

Dr. Julie Madden
Director of Elementary English/Language Arts/Reading
📧 jmadden@lufkinisd.org
🖥 English/Language Arts/Reading web page
🕚 (936) 630-4324


Sylvia Eubanks
Director of Bilingual Services
📧 seubanks@lufkinisd.org
🖥 English as a Second Language web page
🕚 (936) 630-4274

Gabriela Keese
Director of Elementary Mathematics
📧 gkeese@lufkinisd.org
🖥 Mathematics web page
🕚 (936) 630-4268

Deidra Harrison
Executive Director of Student Services
📧 dharrison@lufkinisd.org
🖥 Student Services web page
🕚 (936) 630-4273

Kathy Thannisch
Director of Early Childhood
📧 kthannis@lufkinisd.org
🖥 English/Language Arts/Reading web page
🕚 (936) 630-4288

Vada Hughes
Director of Elementary Science
📧 vhughes@lufkinisd.org
🖥 Science web page
🕚 (936) 630-4295

Cindy Tierney
Director of Middle School Curriculum and Instruction
📧 ctierney@lufkinisd.org
🖥 Curriculum and Instruction web page
🕚 (936) 630-4242

Kim Kassaw
Director of Special Services
📧 kkassaw@lufkinisd.org
🖥 Special Services web page
🕚 (936) 630-4361