Dr. Dana Bashara, Superintendent of Schools
Twenty nine years ago, Dr. Bashara stepped into room 503 of Woodridge Elementary to begin her career as a fifth-grade teacher in Alamo Heights ISD. Since that day, she has taken on a variety of roles in AHISD - including teacher, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent – and has been instrumental in helping the district develop and implement its strategic plans.
During her role as Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Bashara led the District Education Advisory Council, which developed the Profile of a Learner, the framework for the district’s strategic plan. For eight years, she also chaired the District Design Team, which has helped transform numerous district-wide programs including: Showcase of Engagement, Ambassadors for Education, and the district’s Professional Development program. Dr. Bashara also led the partnership with Engage2Learn for the roll out of the AHISD Engaged Classroom initiative, the Teacher Leader Academy, and the AHISD Dual Language Program, which is regionally acclaimed as a model for elementary and secondary effectiveness.
Prior to her role as Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Bashara served as Director of Personnel and Public Information where she was a key leader in the district’s strategic planning process, made significant improvements in the human resources department, and initiated the development of a district communications department.
Prior to that, Dana served as the Principal at Cambridge Elementary School (2003-2006), Assistant Principal at Cambridge and Alamo Heights Junior High School (1999-2003). Her career began with her first role as elementary teacher at Woodridge Elementary (1996).
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dana graduated from Baldwin High School in 1992. Dana earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology as well as her K-8 Education Certification in a double major program at Allegheny College. She completed her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in 1998 at the University of Texas in San Antonio. She completed her Doctorate in Educational Administration at Texas A & M University in 2008.
She is married to Collier Bashara, a former AHISD graduate who was a student at Cambridge Elementary, AHJS, and AHHS! Dana and Collier have three daughters, Sadie Mae, Ainslie and Addison, and a son, Grady. Although Sadie Mae and Ainslie graduated from AHHS, Addison and Grady are still students on our AHISD campuses.
Dr. Bashara has earned numerous awards and recognitions during her career in the district. The Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association named her 2013-2014 TEPSAN of the Year. She received the Yellow Rose of Texas Education Award for outstanding contributions to leadership in education from the Constance Allen Heritage Guild. In 2017 the San Antonio Business Journal named her an outstanding Woman in Leadership Award Recipient in 2017. Most recently, in 2020, she was recognized by the Texas Association of School Administrators as an Inspiring Leader, and her bio is featured on their website.