Chara Harris
Principal
Chara Harris is entering her 22nd year in education as the principal of Murchison Middle School. She completed her B.A. in Mathematics and her M.A. in Mathematics Education through the UTeach program at the University of Texas at Austin.
After spending 12 years as a middle school math teacher and campus instructional coach, Chara moved on to the positions of district Curriculum Technology Specialist in the Math department and that of Technology Design Coach.
She is passionate about campus instructional leadership. Chara believes in job embedded professional development to develop teacher leaders. and supporting teachers in providing inquiry-based, culturally relevant, and real-world learning experiences and earned her principal certification through Region 13 Principal Certification Network.
Chara is committed to being a barrier breaking leader on Murchison’s Island of Safety. Through equity, access, and culture of excellence, she aims to ensure ALL students have access to opportunities, support to be successful, and feel like they belong at Murchison.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching football, and listening to music. Chara is from a military (Air Force) family and has resided in Austin since first grade. She attended all AISD schools; Winn Elementary, Webb 4th & 5th grade center, Pearce Middle School, and LBJ High School.
Alonzo Blankenship
alonzo.blankenship@austinisd.org
8th Grade Assistant Principal
Hello my name is Alonzo Blankenship and I am elated to serve as the 8th grade assistant principal at Murchison Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year! My objective as an educator is to inspire a culture of learning and belonging where leaders, including students, willingly embrace the love and wisdom needed to overcome fear and social isolation in our community.
I believe that all people have unique gifts and talents that are needed for a learning community to not only survive, but thrive. However, do adult facilitators of learning believe all students are assets and create space to hear their story? Do students recognize and leverage their own inherent gifts and talents? Do campus leaders listen reflectively and engage collaboratively with those they serve to intentionally remove the barriers that hinder imagination, diversity of expression, and empathy? Does the campus community model what it means to come together and form deep connections across social differences?
I am a graduate of the UT Austin Principalship Program, where my action research focused on deeper learning in the classroom through the integration of culturally responsive instruction.
As a former band director and teacher leader and Garcia and Webb Middle Schools, I have engaged in manifold opportunities to grow as a leader. Moreover, as a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist for the past four years, I have emphasized how learning is a process through which students and adults have the potential to cultivate essential skills for life effectiveness. I believe that learners need both support and high expectations in culturally responsive settings to grow.
Feel free to contact me to talk more! My hobbies include but are not limited to reading, enjoying music, spending time with family, and serving alongside the faith community. I am grateful for all of you and for the Lord who has blessed me tremendously.
Michelle Allen
7th Grade Assistant Principal
Michelle Allen is the new 7th grade Assistant Principal at Murchison Middle School. She is a dedicated and caring leader with over 17 years of educational experience in Austin ISD schools.
Prior to her new role, she served as 504 Coordinator/Project Specialist at Anderson High School. She has also worked as a secondary Special Education resource teacher and case manager, collegiate and high school tennis coach, and elementary school Physical Education and Health teacher.
Ms. Allen was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley in the small town of Weslaco, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and is a proud lifetime member of the Texas Exes. She earned her Master of Education from Sul Ross State University in 2007. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with family, home improvement projects and photography.
She believes that building community through positive, inclusive relationships and establishing strong systems of support are the keys to success. Ms. Allen looks forward to working together with all Murchison students and staff members in the upcoming school year. Go Mats!!
Dominic Infante
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Dominic Infante is the 6th grade Assistant Principal at Murchison Middle School. This is his third year at Murchison. Prior to joining the team at MMS, he spent the previous 6 years working in the Special Education Department in AISD as a specialist and instructional coordinator. Before working at the district level, he taught special education for 5 years at Lively Middle School.
Dominic graduated from the University of Texas in 2003, before later receiving a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Texas State University.
Dominic is a firm believer in the power of education in the lives of all students. As an educational leader, he strives to ensure a meaningful, impactful education for all students that prepares them for the life of their choosing, helps them realize unmapped dreams and potential, and gives all students the tools to change their world.
A resident of Austin since 1999, in his time outside of work Dominic enjoys spending time with his family, including his two young children. He also enjoys staying active and being outdoors, swimming at Barton Springs whenever possible. Other hobbies include music, reading, and trying to keep his home garden alive and growing. Please reach out to him with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Leadership Charter
As we grow personally and professionally, we want to feel compassionate, trusting, collaborative, growth-minded, and respectful. In order to have these feelings consistently, we will:
Show compassion through differentiated relationship building with students, parents, staff, and community. Greet all people with warmth and unconditional positive regard. Critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. Seek and evaluate a range of points of view with a willingness to grow from the experience.
Show trust by giving each other honest and transparent feedback. Establish safety by acting with integrity and a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of individuals, groups and communities. Take responsibility for our own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Show collaboration by utilizing our individual strengths for the greater good of our school community. Proactively communicate ideas and needs. Recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Show growth mindedness by setting measurable and attainable goals and reflecting accordingly. Work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development. Understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives, including the intellectual, physical, and emotional, to achieve well-being for ourselves and others.
Show respect by speaking in a positive tone with each other, ourselves, staff, students, and parents. Acknowledge and validate each other's feelings as well as our own. Create a sense of community by celebrating individual successes and milestones.