Administration

Welcome to Dogwood Elementary! I’m honored to serve as the principal of our amazing school, home of the Mighty Ducks. With a background in education that includes teaching in both second and fourth grade, serving as a media specialist, testing coordinator, and assistant principal, I bring a well-rounded perspective to campus leadership. I also proudly served as both a military police officer and civilian police officer before entering the field of education.

I hold a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages and am passionate about fostering an inclusive, student-centered school culture where every child can thrive. I believe in the power of relationships, the importance of high expectations, and the incredible impact of a strong school community.

It’s going to be a great year—Go Mighty Ducks!

I am so happy to be returning to Dogwood Elementary as an assistant principal!  This year will be my sixteenth year with New Caney ISD, and my thirty-first in education. I have worked as a clerical aide, teacher, school counselor and an assistant principal. 

I am Mom to Trevor, a Constable’s Deputy, and Ethan, a junior at Texas Tech University, and wife of Stephen Young, a teacher at Santa Fe Middle School in Cleveland, TX.

I’m here to facilitate a positive, fun-filled, and successful experience for our Dogwood students, staff, families and community members.

Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to enhance your experiences at Dogwood!

¡Estoy muy feliz de regresar a Dogwood Elementary como subdirectora! Este año será mi decimosexto año con New Caney ISD y mi trigésimo primero en educación como ayudante administrativo, maestro, consejero escolar y subdirector.

Soy la mamá de Trevor, ayudante de policía, y de Ethan, estudiante de tercer año en la Universidad de Texas Tech, y esposa de Stephen Young, maestro en la escuela secundaria Santa Fe en Cleveland, TX.

Estoy aquí para facilitar una experiencia positiva, llena de diversión y exitosa para nuestros estudiantes, personal, familias y miembros de la comunidad de Dogwood.

Hágame saber si hay algo que pueda hacer para mejorar sus experiencias en Dogwood!

My name is Karesse Richards, and I am honored and elated to serve as one of Dogwood Elementary's assistant principals! I eagerly begin this journey and graciously join the staff at DES as we build dreams one piece at a time! 

Over my past 14 years in education, I have served as an elementary school teacher, a math teacher at an alternative middle school, a campus coach for all subjects, a district-level math instructional coach, and an assistant principal. I earned both a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s in educational leadership from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. I am married to Jeremy Richards, an amazing, committed, and loving husband and father to our two children, Jaxen Keith (3 years old) and Kaleah Jade (1 year old). 

I am beyond excited to join the great work already happening at Dogwood. I look forward to building relationships, making collaborative decisions, and growing and learning beside students and staff members! I am dedicated to ensuring high levels of learning for ALL students! I look forward to making this a fantastic year for every student!