Anne Marie Garza Named Principal of Cedar Creek Middle School

Bastrop ISD has named Cedar Creek Middle School Assistant Principal Anne Marie Garza to serve as the principal of Cedar Creek Middle School (CCMS). She will assume the position at the conclusion of the school year, replacing Riza Cooper, who will retire.

“I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve Cedar Creek Middle School next school year as the new principal. Serving CCMS for the past two years as assistant principal has been an incredible opportunity, and I am thankful to be part of this community,” said Garza. “Mrs. Cooper will be deeply missed, and I am grateful for her leadership and the strong foundation she has built for our campus.”

Education has been Garza’s life work for the past 22 years. She began as a bilingual elementary teacher in Hays CISD, where she also served as an instructional coach. Anne Marie then served as a bilingual coordinator in Elgin ISD. Garza helped open Camino Real Elementary in Bastrop, where she developed a strong connection to the community and its families. She transitioned to Cedar Creek Middle School in 2024. 

“I believe every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and believed in. As your next principal, I promise to work alongside you to ensure our students receive the very best education and know that they are surrounded by a community that believes in them,” Garza said.

Garza’s leadership strengths include data-driven decision-making, bilingual education, and student-centered practices. Her goals for CCMS include ensuring a culture of high expectations for teachers and students, continued focus on rigorous instruction, and pushing students to take ownership of their learning and progress.

“Ms. Garza represents the next generation of leadership at Cedar Creek Middle School. She brings a strong instructional background, commitment to the community, and an unwavering focus on what matters most—our students,” said Jennifer Eberly, Chief Academic Officer for Bastrop ISD.

Anne Marie holds dual master’s degrees in educational leadership and bilingual/bicultural education, both from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University. 

Anne Marie and her husband, Adrian, are raising two young children, Alma and Gabriel, with support from her parents, who live close by.