Gerald Fonzie was caught a bit by surprise when learning this month he had been named Secondary Principal of the Year for Region 7. But he has no doubts about why McMichael Middle School has experienced improvement.
“It’s the consistency of the staff,” said Fonzie, who’s set to begin his fifth year as principal at McMichael. “I think that has brought some calmness to the campus.”
Support of parents has also played a role, he said. “The parents have bought into what we’re doing after seeing the change we’ve made,” said Fonzie.
The Texas Association of Secondary Principals recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the 20 Region Education Service Centers in the state. School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based upon exemplary performance and outstanding leadership.
“There are a lot of great things taking place at McMichael Middle School, and Mr. Fonzie has played a vital role in making all that happen,” said NISD Superintendent Grey Burton. “I’m proud for him but I’m also proud for the entire campus because it’s an indication of what’s taking place at McMichael.”
Fonzie has spent his entire public education career with Nacogdoches ISD. He served six years as an assistant principal at Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary after beginning his career in public education in 2010 as a teacher at Nettie Marshall Academy of Dual Language, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2011.
Fonzie is a native of Helena, Ark., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2008. As a senior, Fonzie captained the SFA men’s basketball team that won 26 games and advanced to the National Invitational Tournament at the end of the season. In 2010, Fonzie earned his Master’s in Education Administration from SFA with certifications in physical education (EC-12) and principal certification (EC-12).
Fonzie took over at McMichael in 2022 as the school prepared to host all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in Nacogdoches. The campus was expanded as part of the 2018 bond package approved by Nacogdoches voters. More than 1,200 students attended McMichael during the 2025-26 academic year.
Seeing growth in students is one of the best things about his job, Fonzie said.
“What I enjoy the most is seeing our students coming in as sixth-graders and then leaving here as eighth-graders prepared for what comes next in high school,” he said.