Congratulations to Mark Gorena, new principal at Lamar Elementary.

Mark attended the University of Texas in Austin to study petroleum engineering. He then transferred to the Austin Graduate School of Theology and embarked on a 20-year career as a full-time youth pastor.

Mark began his educational career In Irving ISD in 2010. After teaching for three years in the classroom, he became an instructional coach for two years. He received his master's degree in educational administration from Lamar University in 2014 and then served as an assistant principal from 2015-2023.

“My pledge to our students, families, and staff is to lead by example, learn with humility, and build capacity so that we will achieve the mission before us: ‘To educate and nurture our children to become successful learners and productive citizens.’”