Natasha Cruz-Jefferson, Principal 
Phone: 713-924-1697
Email: natasha.cruzjefferson@houstonisd.org

Natasha Cruz-Jefferson has been in education for over 8 years.  She is joining Eastwood Academy HS after having spent the past few months as an HISD Principal Apprentice at Chavez HS, but her leadership experience and passion to impact students did not start there. After finding her passion for education as an undergraduate at Rice University, Mrs. Cruz-Jefferson started her career as a Teacher at Heights High School in Houston ISD.  After teaching and leading there for a couple of years, she spent three years in the Austin, TX area as an Assistant Principal at Martin Middle School and Round Rock High School, where she learned the value of partnering with the school community to support student overall wellbeing and success, as well as the importance of having strong systems to ensure success for every student.  Mrs. Cruz-Jefferson came back to Houston ISD, where she was hired as an Assistant Principal at Pin Oak MS, and then a Principal Apprentice at Chavez High School.

Mrs. Cruz-Jefferson started her career in college wanting to be a lawyer, but her experience at Rice University ignited her passion for effecting change for students who similarly may have had the desire to go to college, but didn’t quite know what it took to get there. She decided to become an educator to impact the lives of students by helping them overcome the challenges they might have.

Mrs. Cruz-Jefferson is excited to join the Eastwood Academy HS community, especially because her story is similar to the students she serves.  She is excited to bring her passion and belief that all students deserve a high quality education to the Eastwood community in hopes of elevating the great work already being done, while also finding opportunities to grow the campus and serve the students with excellence.