Meet Our Principals
MEET DR. DUKES | Secondary Principal (Grades 7-12th)
Dr. Dan Dukes will be serving as Executive Director of Abilene Schools and Principal of the Abilene Secondary campus for the 2026-27 school year. He has been with Texas Leadership for six years, serving in different roles such as Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent, and Chief Academic Officer. Before TLCA, he spent 11 years with Abilene ISD, also in various roles in campus administration and central office. He holds degrees from Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Arlington, and George Washington University. He is passionate about representing Texas Leadership of Abilene in the local community and being a voice and advocate for public charter schools.
Feel free to email Dr. Dukes HERE
MEET MR. JOHNSTON | Secondary Assistant Principal (Grades 7th-12th)
Mr. Johnston holds a Master’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management, and an EC-12 Physical Education teaching certification.
Mr. Johnston began his teaching career at TLCA in 2017 as a PE aide. In 2018 he stepped into the Physical Education teacher role where he has been for the past six years.
Mr. Johnston grew up in San Antonio, TX where he graduated from Southwest HS in 2001. After high school he joined the United States Air Force and retired in 2016. Mr Johnston is married and has two boys, Tyler and Ryder.
Mr. Johnston believes that it is important to instill leadership at an early age. To be the best version of himself and to do it with integrity.
Feel free to email Mr. Johnston HERE
MEET MRS. STEPHEANIE ANDRADE | Elementary Principal
Mrs. Andrade holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, as well as her EC-6th and ESL (English as a Second Language) Certifications.
She began her education career in 2013 at Trent ISD as a Special Education Paraprofessional, and has a wide-range of expertise in the classroom to include (but not limited to) having been a Response-To-Intervention Specialist, Elementary Science and Social Studies, Third Grade Self-Contained, and she served the Abilene Independent School District as a 5th grade Science Teacher at Bonham Elementary as well as a 2nd grade teacher at Austin Elementary. Mrs. Andrade has a wealth of knowledge in Education, and we are excited to have her at TLCA Abilene Elementary.
Mrs. Andrade hails from Nebraska, but moved to Texas in 2010 and is married to her wonderful husband, Charlie. They are a blended family with children ranging from 10 to 21 years of age. She also has two grandbabies, Bynlee and Kingston. Mrs. Andrade tell us that “As a family, we enjoy spending time together, traveling, and are very involved with our church and children's sporting activities.”
Mrs. Andrade believes that each child is their own individual person, with their individual gifts and needs. She is passionate about making sure that each child has a safe and secure environment to be able to learn and grow and believes that TLCA creates environments where each child is a part of a Leadership community. She tell us that she is excited to be able to help nurture and grow the next generation, and community here at TLCA.
Feel free to email Mrs. Andrade HERE
MEET MR. NATHAN SMITH | Elementary Assistant Principal
Mr. Smith grew up in Windsor, NY and graduated from Central Baptist Christian Academy in 1987. After two years of college and three years working in a factory, Mr. Smith wanted more from life so he joined the United States Air Force. In the Air Force he worked as an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist. While in the Air Force Mr. Smith worked on the F-15E, A-10, PA-200, and B-1 airframes. Mr. Smith has been stationed in North Carolina, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Germany, and Texas. Mr. Smith retired in 2018 after serving 26 years.
After retirement, Mr. Smith completed his Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity in 2021. Mr. Smith began his teaching career at TLCA in April of 2023 as a substitute. He applied for an open teaching position for the 2023-2024 school year and was hired to teach 6th grade math and science. The 2024-2025 school year Mr. Smith moved to the 4th grade to fill a need and taught math.
Mr. Smith has been married to Jessica Smith, 5th Grade Science Teacher, for 29 years and has two boys, Alex, a junior in college, and Isaac, a senior in high school.
Mr. Smith believes leadership can be displayed at an age, and anyone can be a leader.
“Leadership is not a license to do less. Leadership is a responsibility to do more.” – Simon Sinek
Feel free to email Mr. Smith Here