Principal

Phone: (972) 923-4720

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Stefani Foster

 

Mrs. Foster joins Clift Elementary with nearly two decades of dedicated service to Waxahachie ISD. Mrs. Foster comes from a long line of hardworking Hispanic entrepreneurs and community leaders. Her grandmother, Anita N. Martinez, made history as the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Dallas City Council and also spent time serving abroad in the Peace Corps. Mrs. Foster proudly credits her servant’s heart and dedication to others to her grandmother’s powerful legacy of leadership and compassion.
 
Stefani’s journey in Waxahachie began with her husband, Kristopher Foster, a lifelong Ellis County native whose deep family roots and love for the community inspired them to make Waxahachie their permanent home. Over the past 18 years, Mrs. Foster has faithfully served Waxahachie ISD, with the exception of a brief three-year tenure in Red Oak ISD as an assistant principal. Most recently, she led Turner Pre-Kindergarten Academy (1 year) and Northside Elementary (7 years), where she and her staff successfully raised the campus’s TEA accountability rating by 12 points, reaching an 82 “B” rating through collaborative effort and a relentless focus on student growth.
 
“We are incredibly grateful for Mrs. Foster’s willingness to step up and serve the Clift community,” said Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Becky McCutchen. “She is a proven leader who leads with heart and purpose. Her dedication to students and her ability to inspire excellence make her an ideal fit to guide Clift Elementary forward. We are excited for the future of Clift!”
 
Mrs. Foster believes that working with students who have high needs or come from low socioeconomic backgrounds is not just her passion—it’s her mission work and the reason God placed her on Earth. She approaches every day as an opportunity to love, serve, and uplift children and families through education.
 
Stefani and Kristopher are the proud parents of two boys—Kale (11) and Knox (3)—who keep their lives full and are their proudest accomplishments to date.
 
Mrs. Foster is looking “forward to building strong relationships, celebrating diversity, and cultivating a culture of academic excellence and belonging. My goal is to continue the upward momentum that has defined my leadership—empowering every student and staff member to thrive together as one family.”

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Assistant Principal (Interim)

Phone: (972) 923-4720

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

🎓 Undergraduate degree, Interdisciplinary Studies, Stephen F. Austin University 🎓 Graduate degree, Educational Administration, Texas A&M University at Commerce

Dana James, M.Ed.

 

Dana James is a proud 1993 graduate of Waxahachie High School. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University–Commerce.

 

Now in her 29th year with Waxahachie ISD, Mrs. James began her career as a classroom teacher at Northside Elementary. She later became one of the district’s first Instructional Coaches, supporting both Northside and Dunaway Elementary campuses. Her leadership journey continued as she served as the Elementary Social Studies Coordinator and the Professional Learning Coordinator for the district.

 

Dana is a third-generation Waxahachie ISD employee, proudly continuing the legacy of service established by her great uncle and parents.

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