Aug. 1, 2006
New Colleyville Middle School principal has long CMS history

The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on July 31 approved the appointment of Toni Thalken to the position of principal at Colleyville Middle School, effective Aug. 1. Thalken, 54, currently serves as assistant principal at CMS and succeeds Becky Prentice, who has been named principal at Colleyville Heritage High School.

Thalken has a long history at CMS, beginning in 1992 as a pre-AP math teacher. She has served as department chairwoman, team leader and chairwoman of the Campus Excellence Committee. She became dean of instruction at CMS in 2000, and assistant principal in 2001. She also served as assistant principal of Secondary Summer School in 2002 and 2003. In addition, Thalken has taught at Grapevine Junior High School and Corona High School in California.

“Toni has been with the District for 15 years and has a proven track record as a teacher, instructional leader and campus administrator,” said Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner. “She has worked closely as part of the team at CMS, and has developed solid relationships with the students, parents and staff there. Her experience and level of professionalism exemplify her leadership.”

Thalken earned a bachelor’s in History and Math in 1975 from California State University at Fullerton and a master’s in Educational Administration in 2001 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She also holds elementary and secondary teaching credentials.

She has received numerous awards in her career, most recently being named as the 2005-2006 Assistant Principal of the Year for Region XI. She also earned the GCISD Award of Excellence in 2001, was named CMS Teacher of the Year in 1999-2000 and Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 1998-1999, and received the Texas PTA Honorary Life Membership Award in 2000. In addition, Thalken has been named to the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2000, 2002 and 2005.