Abilene ISD has selected Christina Dooley to serve as the next principal of Stafford Elementary School. Dooley, who currently serves as assistant principal at Stafford, will officially begin her new role at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
“Christina is an experienced campus leader with a passion for building positive relationships while maintaining high expectations for students and staff,” Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn said. “She is the right person to continue building on the strong foundation for student success in place at Stafford Elementary.”
Dooley began her professional education career as an elementary classroom teacher in 1999 and has since served in a range of leadership roles, including instructional coordinator, district behavior coordinator, and assistant principal. In recognition of her outstanding work as assistant principal at Stafford, she was named the 2025-26 Region 14 Assistant Principal of the Year. Her strengths include high quality instructional leadership, promoting positive student behaviors, and a commitment to a strong campus culture of family engagement.
“I am truly honored to step into the role of principal at Stafford Elementary, a campus I deeply believe in and love serving,” Dooley said. “Together, we will continue to build a culture of high expectations, strong relationships, and student success, ensuring every child and adult feels valued and empowered to grow.”
Dooley holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences and a master’s degree in gifted education from Hardin-Simmons University. She replaces Melissa Scott, who was recently named the district’s Executive Director for Elementary Curriculum and Instruction.