Atlanta ISD Dream Team of Principals

In honor of National Principals Month, we want to spotlight our school leaders for their endless commitment to the principal role.

Principals play a key role in the delivery of quality instruction. Their responsibilities include ensuring educational strategies are in place that support effective learning for all students. They serve as a facilitator, guide and supporter of quality instructional practices. Because the principal serves as the educational leader of the campus, it is imperative that they have a working knowledge of effective instructional strategies and understand the needs of their students and teachers.

Mr. Sidney Harrist, Superintendent of Schools says, “Our exceptional team of campus principals is the best in the state of Texas. The work they do makes a positive direct difference in the lives of Atlanta ISD students.”

Donna Kyzer-Rice has been a public school educator for 39 years. She is presently a school principal for the Atlanta Independent School District at the primary campus. She graduated from Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication/Theatre Arts. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from East Texas State University and a Master’s Degree in Public School Administration from Texas A&M University with certifications as school principal and school superintendent. She travels extensively throughout the country as a motivational speaker both at women’s conferences and educational conferences.

She has been nominated as a Disney Teacher of the Year. She has also been honored as Atlanta, Texas’ Favorite Teacher. She was also named Project Director of the Year for afterschool program by the Texas Education Agency. Donna has served as Vice-President of the Greater Area Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta, the Texas After School State Advisory Council and is currently on the Board of Trustees at Southern Nazarene University. She also serves on the District Advisory Board for the Northeast Texas Nazarene District.

Donna has been married to Phil Rice (both Atlanta High School graduates) for 39 years and they have 2 children who are also both Atlanta High School graduates. Connor Rice ’09, graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a bachelor in English/History and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife Emily. Daughter Tess ’15 currently attends LSU-Shreveport and lives in Atlanta with her husband Tyler Whatley.

Dena McCord has been a public school educator for 26 years. She is presently a school principal for the Atlanta Independent School District at the elementary campus. Other roles she has previously served at ATLISD are Atlanta High School Interventionist and Atlanta High School Assistant Principal. Mrs. McCord also worked at McLeod ISD where she served as an elementary, middle school and high school classroom teacher, Director of State and Federal Programs, Testing, and Curriculum. Mrs. McCord was previously awarded the Region 8 Assistant High School Principal of the year and she was voted the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year.

Mrs. McCord graduated from Atlanta High School in 1988. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University-College Station and a Master of Education from Texas A&M-Texarkana. She holds the following Texas certifications: Grades 6-12 ESL & English, principal certificate and superintendent certificate.

Dena is married to Kirby McCord who is a retired principal. She has two sons who are both Atlanta Rabbits: Garrison McCord ‘15 graduated Texas A&M University in College Station with a degree in Forestry and Cooper McCord ‘20 plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Nancy Rinehart has been a public school educator for 31 years. She is currently a principal for the Atlanta Independent School District at the High School Campus. Prior to becoming campus principal, Nancy served as the AHS assistant principal for five years and was an English teacher for 10 years. Before coming to Atlanta, she worked at Linden Kildare ISD as a classroom teacher. Prior to that Nancy taught in Missouri, Hawaii and Kansas. Throughout her career she has taught English, Life Skills, Speech & Drama, Journalism/Newspaper, Special Motivation Class and has coached Basketball, Volleyball and Cheer.

Mrs. Rinehart graduated from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education & English and a minor in Athletic Training. She also holds a master degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M-Texarkana. She holds the following Texas certifications: English, Physical Education, Special Education, principal and superintendent.

Nancy has two children Matthew Rinehart and Rebecca Rinehart who are both graduates of Atlanta High School. Matthew lives and works in Huntsville, and Rebecca attends Louisiana Tech University where she is a cheerleader.

Colby Boyce has been a public school educator for 13 years. He is presently a principal for the Atlanta Independent School District at the Middle School Campus. Previously Colby taught and coached at Atlanta High School, Queen City ISD, Clarksville ISD and Linden Kildare CISD. Mr. Boyce also served as Assistant Principal at Texarkana Independent School District for five years at the Texas Middle School Campus.

Mr. Boyce holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas- Monticello, a Master of Education in Education Administration from Texas A&M-Texarkana and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M – Texarkana. Colby holds the following Texas teacher certifications: 8-12 History, EC-12 Special Education, principal certification and superintendent certification.

Colby is married to his wife Lamisha Boyce who is a counselor for Linden Kildare CISD. They have one son Colby “CJ” Boyce Jr.

Pamela Boyce has been a public school educator for 27 years. She is presently the Director of Special Services for the Atlanta Independent School District/ CCSSA. Previously Pam has held various special education classroom positions in Marietta ISD, Linden Kildare Junior High, Atlanta Elementary and Texas High School. Before her current Director position, Pam was the Assistant Principal at Atlanta Middle School.

Pam graduated from Atlanta High School. She holds a bachelor degree from Texas A&M-Texarkana and a master Degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M-Texarkana. Pam holds the following Texas teaching certifications: Elementary Self-contained, Special Education, principal certification and superintendent certification.

Pam is married to her high school sweetheart, Prince Boyce. They have two children Jeremy Boyce and Kabrelyn Boyce, both graduates of Atlanta High School. Jeremy graduated from Texas A&M-Texarkana and Kabrelyn graduated from University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.