Birdville ISD has named longtime educator Alison Sheffield as the next principal of Mullendore Elementary. Sheffield will replace Merritt Dobecka, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Sheffield has served as an assistant principal in BISD for the last six years and has served as Mullendore’s assistant principal this year. She has nearly two decades of experience in education and helped open Mullendore’s new campus this past August, which became Birdville ISD’s first elementary preparatory Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) academy.

"I am truly grateful and honored for the opportunity to lead Mullendore Elementary,” Sheffield said. “Mullendore has a strong tradition of excellence, and I am thrilled to collaborate with the dedicated staff who make that possible each day. I look forward to continuing to partner with students, staff, families, and the community to build a unified culture rooted in innovation, excellence, and purpose where every student feels empowered, heard, seen, and valued. It is a privilege to serve in this role and to help shape a future filled with growth and opportunity for all."

As assistant principal at Mullendore, Sheffield developed a campus-wide strategic STEM plan. She has also served on the Assistant Principal Academy action team and mentored new assistant principals. 

Prior to serving as the assistant principal at Mullendore, Sheffield served as an assistant principal at West Birdville Elementary and Holiday Heights Elementary. From 2018-2020, she served as an assistant principal substitute throughout BISD. 

Before her time in administration, Sheffield taught first and fourth grade at the former W.T. Francisco Elementary, and she also taught fourth grade for three years in Northwest ISD. Sheffield received her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and her master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate at Dallas Baptist.

Sheffield will assume her new role effective July 1.