Lauren Kessel Selected to Lead McMillan Junior High

Wylie ISD is proud to announce Lauren Kessel as the new principal of McMillan Junior High. Kessel takes over for Jason Ervin, who recently announced his decision to pursue an opportunity outside of education.

Kessel is a familiar face at McMillan, where she has served as an assistant principal since 2023. Prior to joining the administrative team, she taught seventh-grade reading at McMillan and held several campus and district leadership roles, including Academic Team Facilitator, Leadership Academy member, #EdTechWylie Coach, and mentor teacher.

Kessel has spent her entire career in Wylie ISD. She began at Draper Intermediate in 2014, teaching fifth- and sixth-grade English Language Arts before moving to McMillan. As an assistant principal, she has helped lead campus instructional efforts, facilitated professional learning communities, coached teachers, and coordinated state testing.

Kessel earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas Tech University and is expected to graduate in 2027.

Kessel holds her Superintendent and Principal (EC-12) certifications, as well as certifications in Reading Language Arts (4-8) and English as a Second Language.