Tribute to Women: Lee Ann Corbin
/Lee Ann Corbin is the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Redwater ISD, the district she has called home for 14 years. Prior to 2009, she taught K-12 students and adults all over Texas, with no plans to work in administration; teaching was her calling.
“The first time I was put in charge of teaching a class [as a student teacher], I suddenly had clarity: I was born to teach but didn’t know it until that day,” she said. “I remember telling my fellow teachers I would never be a school principal.”
Lee Ann’s passion for teaching never waned, but after many years in the classroom, she realized she could serve her students in other ways. “My dad, who passed away in 2022, taught me that, when you see something that needs to change, you have two choices—do something about it or quietly persevere; complaining is not a choice,” she said. “As a mature and experienced teacher, I was beginning to see how my skills could help improve the school system on a broader level.”
In 2012, Lee Ann began a principal certification program and stepped into an administrative role the following year. “I have been extremely fortunate to work in a district that recognized my potential and offered the opportunity to move from teaching to school leadership,” she reflected. She served as an assistant principal for two years before being named the campus principal for Redwater Junior High School.
At the junior high, Lee Ann and her team initiated various school-improvement efforts, which were then sustained by her successor, current principal Kim Cody. As a result, the campus was recognized by the US Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. This award signifies that the campus offers exemplary academic performance and is making significant progress in closing achievement gaps.
For the past five years, Lee Ann has worked in central administration, first as the director of curriculum and instruction and now as assistant superintendent. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in four different roles within the school district,” she said. “I love Redwater.”
Lee Ann and her husband, Tod, have two grown children—Jared Corbin and Presley Angiel. Lee Ann does not consider herself an empty nester, however: “We have Zoey, a senior dog of mixed heritage, whom we dote upon,” she said. When she is neither working nor doting, Lee Ann enjoys traveling, a passion instilled upon her as a high school student.
“I graduated from the culturally diverse Santa Fe public school system,” she said. “I took advantage of opportunities to travel abroad while in high school, visiting six European countries over a three-week period. With the high school band, I traveled out of the country every other year to perform goodwill concerts. I celebrated my sixteenth birthday in Greece and traveled to Spain my senior year. I think I’ve had the travel bug ever since.”
Lee Ann and Tod spend weekends exploring the Ark-La-Tex in their Miata. “Everything is better in a convertible,” she said.
Lee Ann and Tod travel twice a year, both internationally and domestically. In between big trips, they love exploring the Ark-La-Tex. “We own a 2006 Mazda Miata convertible that previously belonged to my dad,” Lee Ann said. “We put the top down and zoom around the four states area looking for adventure. I imagine my dad is smiling down on us, having fun in his little red car.”
FSLM asked Lee Ann ...
What book are you currently reading? The Donkey Principle: The Secret to Long-Haul Living in a Racehorse World by Rachel Anne Ridge. It’s about understanding your unique strengths and using them to mine all the gold that’s already within you.
What’s your favorite local spot to spend time? I enjoy walking at Spring Lake Park.
What words of wisdom would you offer to your past self? Embrace failure as an opportunity for growth rather than a measure of self-worth.
Kathy Allen’s words on Lee Ann Corbin
During my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented, smartest, most giving individuals in the world. I’ve learned immensely from being in their presence. One of those fine people is Lee Ann Corbin. I first met Lee Ann when I became superintendent of Redwater ISD in 2014. She was a high school assistant principal who had been assigned to oversee the junior high as part of her duties. After observing her exceptional work during my first year at Redwater, I recommended to the board that the junior high become a separate campus as it once had been, with Lee Ann as its principal. As principal, Lee Ann helped the junior high regain their identity, improved morale and put instructional practices into place that initiated the trajectory toward the junior high being named a Texas Blue Ribbon School in 2020, a program that recognizes schools based upon their overall academic excellence and their progress in closing achievement gaps. During her tenure as principal, Lee Ann implemented a unique flex period for accelerated learning and tutoring students who were behind, organized a career fair, created end-of-grading period “Taking Care of Business” parties to celebrate student educational victories and initiated student travel programs. Eventually, Lee Ann’s talents led her to becoming the district curriculum director and then to her current position of assistant superintendent. I have observed Lee Ann as a woman who shows strength, courage, discernment and compassion. She is grace under fire and a leader you can trust.