Principal: Jennifer Mattingly

Email: mattinglyj@lisd.net

(469) 713-5959

Back to school means new friends, Friday Night Football, Fall festivals, the high school band playing, fresh haircuts, and seeing everyone with sunburned noses and so much taller! This is always my favorite time of the year. I am so excited about the 2023-24 school year. I know it will be WILDLY amazing! I am especially excited about celebrating my 30th year in LISD! 

This year, we will have a focus on the uniqueness of each of us - our individuality and what makes us unique and special! By the end of the year, I hope every Highlander can not only share what makes them special, but they can also talk about the uniqueness of their peers! Just like the animals in the zoo and around the world, each of us has a special role. So what better theme for this year than Be ZOOnique! 

If you are new to McAuliffe, WELCOME! I hope you have found your forever home. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you find your niche within the McAuliffe Family. For many, even though you have been at McAuliffe a couple of years, you’re still searching for your place. This is the year to find it. We welcome our parents and community with open arms. If you have not completed your background check in Voly, please do so here! Even if you don’t want to volunteer, do your background check anyway! Trust me: you will need it! Have your family members do it too. You might want to join us for Field Day or a field trip. We have all kinds of opportunities, from big to small. Also, if you want to connect, email me. Let me know what you enjoy; I will find a place for you! Finally, for the old-timers, I am so thankful for a community that builds capacity. Did you know that we have teachers here who went to school here? Twof of our new teachers were Marcus Marauders and Adopt An Athletes here! Many families started here and returned to raise their children here. That is a testament to this community. Thank you for your involvement. Thank you for your investment. Thank you for your time. 

Our Village is what makes us strong.

This village has certainly been special to my family over the years. Big things have happened in our family over the past few years. Molly is working for a non-profit leading mission trips around the world. She spent the early part of the year in Jordan and Cuba! Her love for people and their hearts continues to be nurtured by this wonderful community. It seems like yesterday she was at McAuliffe in her big bows and knee socks. Our younger daughter, Riley, got married in January 2022. She and John have an exciting life in Louisville, Kentucky where she plays professional soccer for Racing Louisville. She was drafted in January then put on loan to Tigres in Mexico where they spent the last 5 months. They loved Mexico, but they are excited to be back and hopefully settling down a bit. Riley’s days are best remembered at recess on the soccer field! I am proud that she continues to do something she found a love for as an elementary student. I am immensely proud that both of my girls have found a passion and followed it. That is what I hope for every McAuliffe Highlander. 

After 29 years in education, my husband, Chris, retired from Briarhill in 2020, two days before the world shut down for the pandemic. Now, Chris is working part-time and enjoying traveling - along with his many hobbies: fishing, hunting, golfing, collecting cast iron, and taking care of our small herd of cows. I also keep him busy around big events here at McA! I miss him at Briarhill, but I know it was the right time for him, and Briarhill is in excellent hands. 

Starting year 33 still brings the same excitement that years 2, 10 and 26 brought. I am absolutely blessed that I get to come to McAuliffe every day. As long as I find the same joy, I plan on sticking around! I love this community, and I am always looking for opportunities to grow personally so I can better serve it. My door is always open, and I am easily accessible through email and social media. If you need me, have a suggestion, or just want to chat, reach out! This job is special because of the relationships. YOU are one of those people! My email is mattinglyj@lisd.net. 

So, Welcome to the Jungle and Let’s Get Wild - and all the other animal references!  Let’s do this! 

Jennifer Mattingly, Principal

#Wild4McA #Be ZOOnique

My family... Riley at Tigres and the draft.. Molly in Bolivia... University of Alabama Class of 2021, 2022, 2023... Oauchita Baptist University Class of 2020... My Family when the girls were at McAuliffe... My Family Now!

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Assistant Principal: Kaydon Kirby

Email: kirbyk@lisd.net

(469) 713-5959

Hi everyone! I am so beyond excited to return to the Highlander family this year. This will be my eighth year in education, and my second year in an administrative role at McAuliffe. My mother was an elementary school teacher in LISD for years, which is where my passion for elementary began. I love to be a part of spirit days and have no shame in wearing costumes! Whether it's Buddy the Elf, Hagrid, Mr. Incrdible, or a Jedi have your cameras ready! My family and I moved back to the LISD area three years ago specifically for our kids to attend McAuliffe because of the impact that this district has had on our lives, as well as the reputation of this wonderful school. My wife, Lauren, went to HVE, Briarhill, and Marcus. She even taught AP History at Marcus for three years. I, on the other hand, went to elementary, middle, and high school at the schools across town that will not be named because naturally, now my blood bleeds red instead of navy. I have four children, Hazel (4), Riggs (2), and our newest additions to the family, Easton and Rhett (born July 2023). Four kids under four years oid sounds like a handful, but I wouldn't change it for the world! They love to make frequent visits to McAuliffe so I am sure you will see them around! I cannot imagine being a part of any other family but the Highlander family. I am ready to tackle the 2023-2024 school year! It's going to be Zoonique!