Aug. 9, 2012- Ann Dristas is the third new principal in the Klein ISD as she opens the new Grace England Early Childhood and Pre-K Center. The center is the first of its kind in the district and will house 800 students beginning in the fall. Dristas, who has worked in the Klein ISD for her entire career, was initially hired by Grace England herself in 1984.

“I admire Grace England,” Dristas expressed. “It’s a tremendous honor to open up a school in her name, plus the chance to open a new school is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Dristas began her career by teaching adaptive behavior classes, and eventually went on to teach early childhood. In 1990, Dristas moved to Roth Elementary to teach first grade. She progressed into an administrative role and has held assistant principal positions at Kuehnle Elementary, Nitsch Elementary, Roth and Schultz Elementary. In 2005, Dristas was named the head principal at Roth, where she led the campus for seven years.

In her 27-year career in the Klein ISD, Dristas said she has valued the support of her other colleagues and the community. One of her goals is to continue to build on that support as she opens the doors at Grace England on Aug. 27.   

“Our biggest goal is to build connections within the community,” Dristas said. “We really want it to become a place where people can feel comfortable bringing their children, and working with us.”

Dristas received her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Slippery Rock, and went on to receive her master’s degree in emotional disturbance and learning disabilities from California State in Pennsylvania. Her mid-management certification was earned at the University of Houston.

When she’s not on campus, Dristas loves to spend time with her family which includes her husband, Nick, her three children and three grandchildren. Her eldest son, James Dristas, has followed in her footsteps and was previously an assistant principal at Klein Oak High.