Administrators

Michael Mahoney - Principal

Emily Coffey - Associate Principal

Hello, Cougar Nation!

I am honored to serve as Canyon's Associate Principal. In the 2025, I moved into administration and served as both Assistant Principal and the Campus Behavior Coordinator. Before making that jump, I spent eleven years teaching English Language Arts; The Great Gatsby and Macbeth are my favorite units to teach. Though I'm an Ohio native, I am also an active-duty military spouse, which has offered me the unbelievable privilege of teaching and leading diverse communities across Ohio, Kansas, Washington, New Jersey, and Texas. I earned my ESL Certification from Pacific Lutheran University in Seattle and my master's degree in School Leadership through Wilmington University in Delaware, both of which have further equipped me to support and empower students and educators alike. I am thrilled to serve our student body as their Academic Dean, and I am committed to collaborating with our faculty, students, families, and community to ensure that every Cougar has the support, opportunities, and encouragement needed to succeed.

My husband Jason is a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force and has spent nineteen years serving as a Boom Operator. Together, we have a six-year-old son who is full of adventure and energy. Our family also includes our two beloved pitbulls, Hunter and Remi. We are absolutely thrilled to plant our roots in New Braunfels and call Canyon home!

Shane Land - Assistant Principal (TBD)

I am a dedicated educational leader with a passion for servant leadership, academic excellence, and opportunities for personal growth. During my 11 years of work in educational administration, I have served as an instructional specialist in technology, an assistant principal, and I am currently serving as the Associate Principal here at Canyon High School. I hold an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University in College Station, a Masters of Education in Special Education from Texas State University in San Marcos, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio. I was a teacher and coach for 10 years prior to entering educational administration where I taught special education, math, and United States History.

TBD - Assistant Principal (TBD)

Kara Jenkins - Assistant Principal (Ig-Moss)

Kara jenkins photo

I was born and raised in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. I started dancing at the age of 6 and spent countless hours setting my bedroom up like a classroom/studio. Education has always been in my heart, and dance has always been my outlet for expression. I served as the captain of my high school dance team and was in the International Baccalaureate Program at L. D. Bell High School then went on to be a Texas State University Strutter. At the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year, after student teaching at Canyon Lake High School, I became the 2nd dance director at Canyon Lake High School where I served for the next 8 years. While directing, I decided to begin working on my master's degree in Educational Leadership through Lamar University. In 2022, I made the transition into administration and served as an Assistant Principal at Canyon Middle School for 2 years. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue serving students, staff, and the community on a grander scale. I believe in building valuable relationships, supporting staff and students, all while remembering that the school is a contributing factor to the heart and spirit of the community. I’m happily married to my best friend, Brandon Jenkins, who is also an educator/coach, and we recently welcomed our boy/girl twin babies- Jett and Olivia, and also have 3 precious dogs- Ryder, Oliver, and Shiner. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to serve as an Assistant Principal at Canyon High School and am very much looking forward to the upcoming year!

Francisco Dionisio - Assistant Principal (Duo-Iff)

I am proud to serve as an Assistant Principal at Canyon High School, where I am passionate about building strong relationships with students, staff, and families and creating a safe, supportive environment where every student can thrive.

I was raised in La Porte, Texas, and attended Texas A&M University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in History. I later earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas State University.

I began my career in education as a teacher and coach before moving into campus administration. I have served students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, including roles as an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, department chair, coach, and Assistant Principal at both San Marcos High School and Oak Run Middle School.

I was honored to be named New Braunfels Middle School’s Teacher of the Year in 2023–2024 and have led professional learning focused on effective instruction, classroom management, learning objectives, and technology integration.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my wife, who is also an educator, and our growing family. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and families of Canyon High School and look forward to helping our campus continue to grow and thrive.

Katie Appleby-Miller - Assistant Principal (A-Dun)

I am excited to serve as an Assistant Principal at Canyon High School. I’ve been in education for 10 years and have had the opportunity to work as a teacher, coach, and administrator in both Pennsylvania and Texas. I started my career in Pennsylvania before moving to Texas, where I taught and coached at Church Hill Middle School. I also served as an Assistant Principal at Danville Middle School.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education from Elizabethtown College and my master’s degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. Outside of school, I love watching and playing sports and spending time with my husband, children, and dog. I look forward to working with the Canyon community, supporting our students and staff, and being part of all the great things happening at Canyon!