Meet Our Principal

Matrail Rogers

I began my career in education in the fall of 2001 as a second-grade teacher at J. H. Hines Elementary in Waco, Texas after completing my undergraduate studies at Baylor University. In the fall of 2002, I began teaching 5th grade language arts at Fort Worth ISD’s Oaklawn Elementary. After four years at Oaklawn, I felt a call to advocate for students in a different way. I obtained a Master's Degree in School Counseling from Amberton University followed by fourteen years as an Elementary School Counselor in Fort Worth ISD’s Ridglea Hills Elementary. 

Though my years in elementary education were a precious training ground, it became clear that God had a different plan, a better plan. Feeling led to advocate for students, their families, and staff differently, I decided to return to school to obtain a Principal Certification from Lamar University. 

In 2020, I was promoted to Assistant Principal at Boulevard Heights and Transition Center, where I served for two and a half years. 

In 2023 after serving as Interim Principal for half a semester, I was promoted to Principal at Jo Kelly School where I continue to serve staff and students, as a dedicated, compassionate leader and administrator. 

With commanding grace, I lead an academic team of approximately 70 teachers and staff and I attribute my capacity to do so with the love and support of my family - including my husband (and high school sweetheart) Ralph and three sons, Samuel, Elijah, and Andrew. I am dedicated to leading with compassion, grace and mercy, keeping these character commitments top of mind in every encounter within my learning community, whether it be with teachers, staff, parents or students–I see everyone as deserving of kindness and respect. Acknowledging the role that my faith plays in my approach to leadership, I am guided by Scripture that reminds me that all things are possible through Him who gives me strength Phillippians 4:13 and the practical truth that, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”