At Granbury ISD, great leadership happens every day in classrooms, campuses, and departments across our district. Behind every successful student, thriving campus, and innovative program are leaders who inspire others through service, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for kids.
Leading with Purpose: TeamGISD Leadership Stories is a monthly feature recognizing leaders from across Granbury ISD who are making a meaningful impact on students, staff, and our community. Through their unique journeys, experiences, and leadership philosophies, these stories celebrate the people who help make TeamGISD a place where students and employees can thrive.
Melissa Shipp | Principal, Mambrino STEAM Academy
Leadership is often shaped by the people who recognize potential in us before we fully recognize it in ourselves. For Melissa Shipp, that journey began with principals who encouraged her to pursue leadership, created opportunities for her to grow, and helped transform education from a career into a calling.
Now in her 25th year in education and her 19th year as part of TeamGISD, Melissa serves as principal of Mambrino STEAM Academy. Throughout her career, she has been guided by a desire to extend her impact beyond a single classroom by investing in educators, strengthening school culture, and creating environments where children and adults can thrive.
"I wanted to have a larger impact than just one classroom per year. I wanted to pour into people the way I was poured into, turning this into a passion and not a career."
Melissa credits several mentors with helping shape the leader she is today. From the beginning of her career, principals encouraged her to pursue leadership and gave her meaningful opportunities to lead. Former longtime Oak Woods Elementary principal Donnie Cody became one of her strongest supporters, recognizing qualities in her that she did not always see in herself and helping guide her along the path to leadership.
Another pivotal influence was former Baccus Elementary principal Julie Rohleder, who gave Melissa an opportunity to serve as a first-year assistant principal. Julie invested countless hours mentoring her, providing leadership experiences, and demonstrating the importance of working together as a team to accomplish significant goals.
That partnership contributed to one of the accomplishments Melissa is most proud of: helping lead Baccus Elementary from an F rating to a B rating in two years. The experience reinforced her belief that meaningful improvement begins with culture. When educators feel valued, believe in what is possible, and unite around a shared purpose, lasting change can happen.
"The staff dug in and took our crazy thoughts, turning them into a culture where all students can and were successful. That experience taught me that culture comes first and that people who feel valued will work so hard to bring everyone together, causing lasting change."
Melissa's development has also been influenced by her experience in the N2 Learning Principal Academy, where she learned alongside 40 principals from across Texas. Through that opportunity, she strengthened her ability to identify problems of practice, build guiding coalitions, and lead sustainable campus improvement. Just as importantly, she gained new perspectives from other districts and developed lasting relationships with fellow educators.
Today, Melissa's leadership philosophy begins with the belief that every decision made in a school ultimately affects children. She knows that the influence of a great educator extends far beyond academics, that a caring teacher can shape the confidence, belonging, and self-worth a child carries into every room for years to come. That conviction guides her commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where students, staff, and families feel valued and empowered.
By leading with integrity, encouraging collaboration, and maintaining a relentless focus on student success, Melissa works to ensure that each decision reflects what is best for children and supports their academic, social, and emotional growth. For Melissa, building a positive culture isn't simply about improving outcomes, it's about helping every child leave school believing they are capable, valued, and ready for whatever comes next.
As a leader, Melissa wants her team to know that she sees their dedication and is proud to serve alongside them. She describes herself as their biggest cheerleader, not someone leading from a distance, but someone willing to be in the trenches with them each day.
"I am the proudest principal ever. The work they do is incredible day in and day out, and it does not go unnoticed. I am their biggest cheerleader and in the trenches with them. I am so blessed to get to walk beside them in this journey."
For Melissa, being part of TeamGISD means belonging to a family. She values the way colleagues lean on one another during difficult times, freely exchange ideas, and willingly share their knowledge to help one another grow. It is that spirit of collaboration and support that reminds her she is part of something bigger than herself.
Beyond her role as a principal, Melissa has been married to her husband, Scott, for 22 years. They have twins who are both proud Baylor Bears, and the family enjoys traveling to Waco to spend time together. Melissa is also an avid reader who loves sharing books with others.
Her commitment to helping people feel seen and loved can be traced back to her own fourth-grade teacher, who invested in her personally and showed her what it feels like to be truly known and supported. That experience continues to influence the way Melissa approaches both education and leadership.
"Every kiddo has something to offer and something to love and deserves that as well. My daily mission is to find a way to make people feel seen and loved."
As she continues leading Mambrino STEAM Academy, Melissa hopes to build a school where every student, every staff member, and every family feels they belong. She believes the strongest schools are built on relationships, shared purpose, and a culture where people know they are seen, valued, and deeply loved.
Keara Sharman | Assistant Director of Special Programs
Leadership is often shaped through experiences, relationships, and a commitment to making a difference for others. For Keara Sharman, that journey began with a passion for supporting students with disabilities and has continued through a career focused on empowering educators, strengthening systems, and improving outcomes for learners.
With 18 years in education and nearly two years as part of TeamGISD, Keara currently serves as the Assistant Director of Special Programs. Her journey has included a variety of roles, beginning as a Life Skills paraprofessional before moving into special education teaching roles, specialist positions, and district leadership opportunities.
Throughout her career, Keara has served as a PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) teacher, Life Skills teacher, Structured Learning Classroom teacher, District Autism Specialist, Early Childhood Specialist, and Specially Designed Instruction Program Manager. Each experience has shaped her belief that meaningful change happens when educators have the knowledge, support, and systems needed to serve students well.
“I have a passion for sharing best practices and supporting educators in their growth. I value the opportunity to teach adults, build capacity within teams, and make meaningful, lasting improvements for students with unique needs through strong systems and instructional practices.”
A pivotal influence in Keara’s leadership journey was the mentorship of her first special education coordinator, who later became her director. Through high expectations and a focus on both best practices and legal compliance, that mentor helped shape Keara’s commitment to continuous growth and thoughtful leadership.
Today, Keara’s leadership philosophy centers around continuous improvement, collaboration, and ensuring special education practices are implemented with fidelity. She believes that strong systems are the foundation for student success, creating the clarity, consistency, and support educators need to provide meaningful opportunities for every learner. For Keara, effective systems are not simply about processes; they are about creating the conditions where students, educators, and teams can thrive.
She believes the greatest impact comes when educators, families, and teams share ownership and work together toward common goals. One of the accomplishments she is most proud of is hearing from families about the meaningful progress they have seen in their children’s functional and academic growth. Those moments reinforce the importance of collaboration, consistency, and a shared commitment to students.
As part of TeamGISD, Keara appreciates the district’s collaborative spirit and the genuine kindness of the people around her.
“It is a team where colleagues support one another, share expertise, and work together with a shared commitment to doing what is best for students.”
Beyond her leadership role, Keara enjoys traveling and spending time with her three grown children. She is also looking forward to an exciting new milestone, becoming a first-time grandmother.
As she continues her work across TeamGISD, Keara hopes to strengthen collaboration across special education, general education, and district departments to ensure aligned, effective systems that support all learners.