At Monday night’s Granbury ISD Board of Trustees meeting, Stefanie McKethan, Academic Associate Principal at Granbury High School, was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the district’s Leadership Impact Award in the Student Achievement Champion category.
The Leadership Impact Award was created to recognize TeamGISD leaders whose work makes a meaningful difference for students, staff, schools, and the district. Throughout the year, the award will recognize leadership impact across different areas of the organization.
“Great leadership creates the conditions for others to be successful, and Stefanie’s work is a tremendous example of that,” Superintendent Dr. Courtney Morawski said. “She keeps students at the center while building systems that help teachers collaborate, improve instruction, and respond to student needs. The results we are seeing at Granbury High School reflect that intentional leadership, and she is incredibly deserving of being our first Leadership Impact Award recipient.”
During the past year, McKethan led the Granbury High School academic improvement plan, including modifications to the master schedule that increased collaboration and professional learning community opportunities across subject areas. Her work with freshman teachers contributed to GHS achieving its most successful STAAR End-of-Course results to date, including nearly double-digit increases in English I, Biology, and Algebra I.
“Stefanie McKethan’s leadership as our Academic Associate Principal at Granbury High School can literally be defined by the very award she’s being recognized for: Student Achievement Champion,” GHS Principal Duane Fish said. “Her role at GHS is extensive, and her impact is even more impressive. Stefanie is consistently student-centered in her decision making, hardworking, and highly respected by everyone at Granbury High School.”
McKethan also played an integral role in supporting Algebra I teachers through the implementation of the Bluebonnet curriculum, ensuring teachers had the resources, collaboration time, and support necessary to navigate the instructional change successfully.
“Stefanie consistently listened to teacher feedback, advocated for our needs, and helped create opportunities for our team to break down the curriculum and focus on effective implementation,” GHS teacher Jose Ochoa said. “Her leadership not only supported teachers, but ultimately had a positive impact on student learning and achievement. Granbury High School is stronger because of her dedication to both staff and students.”
McKethan’s impact extends beyond STAAR achievement to the district’s focus on College, Career, and Military Readiness. Through collaboration with counselors, administrators, and teachers, she has helped identify opportunities for student growth, used data to provide targeted support for students working toward success on the TSIA2, and developed incentives and practices to increase student engagement and achievement.
“Stefanie is dedicated to improving student outcomes across all CCMR-related areas and helping move our campus to the next level,” Director of Career and Technical Education Todd Gibson said. “Her leadership, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement are leading to stronger CCMR outcomes and continued campus success.”
Those who work alongside McKethan describe her as personable, highly professional, intensely supportive, and “nothing short of amazing.” Her work reflects the purpose of the Leadership Impact Award: recognizing leaders whose influence can be seen not only in the systems they build, but in the success of the students and staff they serve.
