Andres Mijares has been named the Lufkin Middle School principal. He is a Lufkin native and graduate of Lufkin High School. Mijares served nine years in the United States Military, which included two combat tours in Iraq. He attended Sam Houston State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish. Mijares earned his Master’s in Education and a Spanish certification from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU). He later earned his principal and superintendent certification from SFASU.

Mijares was born and raised in Lufkin and is a product of Lufkin ISD. He began his career in education at Diboll ISD, as a Criminal Justice teacher. He then had the opportunity at Hudson ISD to serve in various capacities: Spanish teacher, head soccer coach, and high school assistant principal. Mijares has been an associate principal at Lufkin High School for the last six years.

Mijares stated, “I am honored and excited to be a part of Lufkin Middle School, as the new campus principal. It is my desire to continue to support students and staff at LMS and sustain a positive campus culture that is conducive to learning.”

“I am pleased that Andres Mijares will be leading the Lufkin Middle School team. Andres comes with a wide range of experiences at the secondary level. He is a master of systems and ensuring that schools are organized and students are the first priority. Lufkin Middle School will have much to deal with over the next two years as we finish the building of a new school facility. Andres, his team, and his calm down-to-business attitude will ensure that the impact to students, teachers, and learning will be minimal,” said Lynn Torres, Superintendent of Schools.

Mijares has been married to Dr. Betsy Mijares for 11 years. They have a son, Giovani Andres Mijares, who attends Slack Elementary, and daughter, Penelope Meadow Mijares, future Lufkin Panther.