Steve Siebenaler begins his 24th year in education; all with the Houston Independent School District.   Mr. Siebenaler started his teaching career at Cunningham Elementary School in 1986.  In 1992, he moved to Benavidez Elementary where he was voted Bilingual Teacher of the Year and the following year (1993) was named Teacher of the Year.  Mr. Siebenaler then tried his hand as a middle school Spanish teacher, at the then new Rice School/La Escuela Rice.  In 1996, he received his first administrative job as the Assistant Principal of Poe Elementary School.  In 1999, he was awarded his first school as a Principal, Sinclair Elementary, which became a state “Exemplary School” in 2002.  After four years at Sinclair, Siebenaler was recruited to become the principal of Waltrip High School, just two miles down the road from Sinclair, where he continues to currently work.  In 2004, he was voted Northwest District Principal of the Year.   Siebenaler states “it’s been an honor to serve in Houston ISD for over two decades.  I wouldn’t trade these 24 years for anything.  I have learned so much from so many incredible educators.  I have truly been a fortunate man”.  In 2009, Waltrip High School will be named a state “Recognized School”, a difficult feat given the challenges of our urban high schools.

Siebenaler continues to be an advocate of school reform.  He has helped create and support Small Learning Communities at Waltrip, with an emphasis on career pathways.  He continues to support Waltrip’s effort to become a high functioning Professional Learning Community.