Alicia Hernandez joined theThrive team in February of 2024. Prior to her appointment as Principal, she spent seven years with the Sam Houston State University Charter School as a teacher, specialist, and Principal. She is experienced in public school compliance and best practices, opening new charter school campuses, developing teachers and teacher pipelines, increasing capacity for high-quality programs, and fiscal and academic accountability. Within her first year as District Testing Coordinator for the SHSU Charter School, the district Accountability rating increased from a D to a B in a single year. SHSU Charter has maintained a district Accountability rating of a B or higher every year since. Prior to her time with SHSU Charter School, Mrs. Hernandez was a junior high and high school band director in Bellville ISD and Waller ISD, while also serving as a Percussion specialist and performer. She moved from Florida to pursue a career in education in 2009. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Florida, a Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership and Principal certification from Sam Houston State University, and she is currently working towards her Superintendent’s license. Mrs. Hernandez is passionate about whole-child development and student success. She is invested in advocating for and serving students with autism at Thrive and in Texas. She lives inMontgomery with her husband and two sons, who will also attend Thrive during the 2024-2025 school year.