Principal’s Biographies
Mrs. Debra Ledbetter, Campus Director
Living most of her life and graduating High School from Sterling City, Debra Ledbetter – TLCA Principal of K-2nd Grades, was able to experience many life lessons through academics and athletics. In 1979, she began her college education here in San Angelo at ASU. Mrs. Ledbetter graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1983 and soon began her teaching career.
Starting in her own hometown, Mrs. Ledbetter spent the next 18 years teaching in Sterling City and then moved to Ballinger and taught 8 years there. In 2009, she and her husband felt the call to move to San Angelo and help start Texas Leadership Charter Academy (TLCA). This was a very exciting adventure to step out in faith and begin a new chapter in their lives.
As a teacher, Mrs. Ledbetter’s experience includes twenty-seven years in the classroom with twenty-four of those being spent serving Kindergarten and First Grade students. She has spent six years as a Reading Interventionist, the Dean of Academics for the TLCA Elementary campus, and now presently the Campus Coordinator at the Elementary.
“I have always enjoyed teaching and seeing the students learn and grow. It has been and always will be my desire to make a difference in the lives of our children and their families as well as our TLCA staff. I have been blessed by my experiences and will strive to help make TLCA a positive learning environment for each and every student. “
Mr. Eric Haire, Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Principal
"Years ago, I met a preacher here in San Angelo who told me, 'If you stay long enough to get West Texas sand in your boots, you’ll want to stay forever.'" This southeast Texan native was skeptical, but over time he found that there is definitely some truth to that statement.
Mr. Eric Haire is originally from Deer Park, Texas, which is home of San Jacinto (the real birthplace of Texas). There, he attended Deer Park schools as well as Faith Christian Academy in Pasadena, TX. He later studied counseling/psychology at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in Waxahachie, TX where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree.
Upon graduation, Mr. Haire worked for Juvenile Services in Ellis County before seeking his teacher certification. During his tenure in juvenile services, he began to feel that he could make a greater difference by working with students to help them make wise choices and become future leaders within their community. Not long after acquiring his teacher certification, he moved to San Angelo and began teaching for San Angelo ISD. Over the next eleven years, he taught hundreds of students in San Angelo and built many friendships along the way. In 2011, he earned a Master’s Degree from Angelo State University in Educational Administration. In the summer of 2016, he left the classroom and joined TLCA as the Middle School Principal and in 2018 became the Assistant Principal at the San Angelo Elementary. It was then in 2019 he became the Kinder- 2nd grade Principal.
“I enjoy what I do! I feel that my school is the best place to be in all of San Angelo and West Texas. Along with my wife, Lindsey, and our four beautiful daughters, we enjoy the opportunity to be a part of the great things happening here at TLCA.”
Mrs. Crystella Morales, 3rd Grade -6th Grade Principal
Born and raised in the small town of Lamesa, Texas, I value community and church life. Growing up, I have experienced every sort of educational setting imaginable. From public schools to private Christian schools, to homeschooling with and without a support group. From my experiences, I have learned that education can happen in any setting. Whether learning happens or not mostly depends on the attitudes and habits of the learner.
In high school, I excelled academically and dreamed of going to college. But upon walking across the stage, I entered the world of employment. My family was not able to send me to college. Having never pursued higher education themselves, they were unaware of the possibilities and resources available. I worked for the next ten years, lived at home, and contributed to the family. I worked for five years in a local printing company and the next five years as the Warden’s Secretary for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Preston E. Smith Unit.
In my last year of working at the prison, I met my husband, David Morales, who was a parole officer. I resigned from my position, married David, and moved to San Angelo. David insisted that I go to college. I was almost 30 years old when I began to live out my dream of going to college. For me, stepping onto a college campus was a great privilege and honor. I felt so blessed to be able to pursue a degree. I worked very hard during this time. Not only was I going to college full-time, but also growing a family. During my six years of college, David and I had three children. Aside from marrying David, having my three beautiful children was the best thing that ever happened! During this time I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a 3.7 GPA and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a 3.9 GPA.
I decided to pursue a career in Education because I have always cared about how children learn. Having children of my own, I knew that education would consume at least the next 20 years of my life. I wanted to make a difference and I believe that I am having a positive daily impact on kids. Sometimes the interactions are disciplinary in nature, but love is at the heart of everything I do.
I have had the privilege of teaching many students in San Angelo, but the best school I have ever had the privilege of serving in has been TLCA. I love the spirit and high work ethic that is entreated upon every student and staff member at TLCA. Every student has value beyond words, and I treat my students just as I would want someone to treat my own children. I am blessed to be able to go to school every day and love the job that I am doing. It is my prayer to continue to be a blessing and be blessed by my daily interactions with the precious students that I am privileged to work with every day.
