CFISD Appoints New Assistant Superintendents for Secondary and Elementary Curriculum and Instruction
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (CFISD) has named Dr. Vivian Bennett as the new assistant superintendent of secondary curriculum and instruction and Melissa Martin as the new assistant superintendent of elementary curriculum and instruction. Both appointments were made on Jan. 31 following leadership changes within the district.
Dr. Vivian Bennett Named Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Vivian Bennett, previously the principal of Anthony Middle School, will oversee CFISD’s middle school and high school curriculum and instructional programs. She replaces Dr. Heather Bergman, who was named director of federal programs and grants in December.
Dr. Bennett has worked in education for over two decades. She served as principal of Anthony Middle School since 2017 and held prior roles as a director of instruction and assistant principal at Cypress Ranch High School from 2010-2017 and as an assistant principal at Hopper Middle School from 2007-2010.
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She began her teaching career at Kerr High School in Alief ISD from 1998-2000 before moving to CFISD in 2000 to teach at Cypress Falls High School until 2007.
Dr. Bennett holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology Education from Southeastern Louisiana University, a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston.
“I am humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to serve our students, staff, parents, and community,” Dr. Bennett said. “I look forward to working alongside all stakeholders as a team to collaborate and grow, using the District’s vision—Learn. Empower. Achieve. Dream.—as our guide to continue making a positive impact.”
Melissa Martin Named Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction
Melissa Martin, formerly the principal of Francone Elementary School, will lead pre-K through fifth grade instructional programs. She replaces Dr. Tonya Goree, who was named chief academic officer in December.
Martin was principal at Francone since 2018, where the school was recognized as a “Model School” by HMH/ICLE in 2024. Her team presented on best practices at the national Model Schools Conference last summer.
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Prior to becoming principal, Martin was an assistant principal at Francone from 2013-2018 and worked as the assistant director of curriculum for CFISD’s community programs department from 2012-2013. She began her teaching career at Sheridan Elementary School in 2005, where she taught until 2012.
Martin earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood from Baylor University and a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
“Serving the families of Francone Elementary has been an honor, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to further support CFISD campuses and our community in this new role,” Martin said. “I look forward to achieving great educational outcomes for our students and staff.”
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
