Lubbock ISD names Williams Elementary Principal, Announces Facility Naming Process
Today (June 11) during a special-called meeting, the Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) Board of Trustees named Loren Henderson as the next principal of Nat Williams Elementary School for the 2026-2027 academic year. Henderson fills the role following the retirement of Suzanne McCall at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
The district has also launched a facility naming recommendation webpage to allow the community to submit recommendations for namesakes for the three new elementary school campuses being constructed in the next two years.
Henderson named as next Williams Elementary principal
Henderson has spent the past decade as an educator within Lubbock ISD, starting as a classroom teacher at Hardwick Elementary School and most recently serving as the McWhorter Elementary School Assistant Principal since 2022. She also served as an instructional coach in mathematics from 2019-2022.
She said her appointment as a Lubbock ISD principal is especially meaningful to her because of the ties she and her family have to the district. Henderson is a Coronado High School graduate, and her husband, Kit is a graduate of Monterey High School. Their two children, Tatum and Cal, will attend Williams.
“They remind me every day why this work matters. When I think about what I want for my own children, I know it is what every family wants – to be challenged academically, cared for deeply, and known personally,” Henderson said. “This belief will guide our work as we utilize every instructional minute while ensuring we see and develop the whole child.”
Henderson earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Lubbock Christian University. She takes the helm at Williams as the district begins work to consolidate it and Stewart Elementary School into one campus. Construction will begin soon at the Williams campus, with work expected to conclude in 2028.
“Nat Williams has a unique chapter ahead. As we prepare for campus consolidation, I stand before you with a promise: Nat Williams will have a final sweet chapter,” Henderson said. “It will be defined by growth, pride, opportunity, and excellence as students and staff continue to thrive while helping shape what’s next. I am excited to partner with Principal Natalie Anderson and the Stewart Elementary community as we begin this important work together. While buildings may change, our commitment to students will not.”
Lubbock ISD facility naming form now live
Also today, Lubbock ISD launched a webpage explaining the naming process for district facilities. The page includes a form community members can complete to recommend individuals as a namesake for district facilities. Currently, the district is taking recommendations for the names of the three new school campuses approved as part of the 2025 Bond election for the Bean Elementary community, the combined McWhorter and Wolffarth Elementary community, and the combined Williams and Stewart Elementary community.
“Community input is an important part of this process,” said Dr. Kathy Rollo, Lubbock ISD Superintendent. “Our community members have been involved every step of the way as we have discussed these new schools. They supported our district as we passed the 2025 Bond and have engaged with our district leadership at community meetings. This is one more opportunity to be involved, provide feedback on the future of these new schools, and help the board make an informed decision about the names that best fit each new campus.”
When deciding on a name, the Board takes several factors into consideration:
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Names can be related to geographical features in, near, or associated with the area where the facility is located or events of local, state, or national historical significance.
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Names can identify the program or function associated with the facility, like the district’s AgriSTEM Complex.
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Names can also be related to people – people who hold local, state, or national historical significance; distinguished educators or Board members who have retired from service to the District; or community partners who are recognized for their participation in furthering public education in the District.
Those who have someone in mind for the last group – naming related to people – are encouraged to complete the recommendation form by clicking the Facility Naming Recommendation Form button on the new webpage. Recommendations will be accepted for the three schools until August 1. The Board will then review the submissions and announce the campus names at the regular board meeting on Aug. 27.
For those who are interested in contributing to the conversation in person, the district will host a town hall in July. More information will be shared once a date is set for that meeting.
About Lubbock ISD
Lubbock Independent School District is the largest K-12 public education provider in the surrounding area, educating more than 23,000 students. Its mission is to nurture, develop and inspire every child, every day. Guiding that mission are three leadership pillars – Develop Leaders, Love People and Value Data – which aim to empower staff to their full potential, embrace our community and cultivate student success at every level. With a wide range of academic and career programming, the district has innovated itself to provide growth opportunities for students and staff alike.
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