CFISD Names Michele Bickham as New Principal of Rennell Elementary
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has announced that Michele Bickham, assistant principal at Sampson Elementary School, has been named the new principal of Rennell Elementary School. Her appointment, made official on August 29, follows the transition of Dr. Meredith Akers, who became the district’s director of virtual pathways earlier this month.
Bickham brings 23 years of experience in education, with a career that reflects both depth and breadth across grade levels and leadership roles. She began teaching fourth grade in 2001 at Alief Collins Elementary before moving to Louisiana, where she taught first and sixth grade. Returning to Texas, she rejoined Collins Elementary, later taught at Keith Elementary, and was part of the founding team at Swenke Elementary in 2009. In 2013, she became an instructional specialist at Matzke Elementary, and in 2020, she stepped into her most recent role as assistant principal at Sampson.
Michele Bickham, the new principal of Rennell Elementary School. (Source: CFISD)Throughout her career, Bickham has been known for mentoring teachers and guiding instructional excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Louisiana Lafayette, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University, and her Principal Certification from the University of Houston. She also participated in the CFISD Aspiring Principal Institute and has helped lead New Teacher Orientation sessions for the district.
In a statement to the community, Bickham expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead Rennell:
“I am truly honored to be selected as the next principal of Rennell,” Bickham said. “Rennell has a well-earned reputation for excellence, and I look forward to building upon that strong foundation while serving the students, staff and families of Rennell. I am honored to be part of the traditions that make this campus so special and remain committed to propelling Rennell toward even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.”
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Her appointment has been welcomed by district leaders and staff, who note that Bickham’s mix of classroom expertise and administrative leadership positions her well to guide Rennell’s future.
As the 2025–2026 school year begins, families and teachers at Rennell will have the chance to get to know Bickham as she leads the campus into a new chapter, carrying forward its traditions while embracing new opportunities for student growth and achievement.
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.
