Matt Russell, the Principal of Allen High School, has announced his upcoming retirement following a remarkable 29-year career in education, with 28 of those years dedicated to Allen ISD. Mr. Russell will continue to serve as principal throughout the end of this school year.

Russell is currently in his fifth year as the principal of Allen High School after taking the helm in 2020. Before his tenure at Allen High School, he was the principal at Ford Middle School. He also held various positions within Allen High School, including associate principal for administrative services, house principal, inclusion specialist, vocational adjustment coordinator, and resource math and content mastery teacher.

"It has been an incredible honor to serve as the principal of Allen High School and to be a part of the Allen ISD family for nearly three decades," Russell said. "I'm immensely proud of what we've accomplished together and the culture of excellence we've maintained and enhanced over the years."

Throughout his career, Russell has been known for his dedication to building a strong campus culture and preparing students for life after graduation. Under Russell’s leadership, Allen High School had 43 students named National Merit Semifinalists, a new campus record. In the Fall of 2021, Russell and his team developed “Eagle Give Day,” which is a day of community service that takes place on campus before the Thanksgiving Break. Thousands of students take part in dozens of service projects, such as making meals for the homeless or holiday cards for nursing homes.

"Seeing our students embrace the opportunity to make a real difference in our community through Eagle Give Day has been incredibly rewarding," Russell reflected. "It exemplifies the spirit of service and community engagement that we've strived to instill in our students."

Superintendent Robin Bullock praised Russell's contributions: "Matt Russell's impact on Allen ISD has been profound. His leadership over the years has been instrumental in maintaining our high standards and fostering an environment where students and staff alike can thrive. His retirement marks the end of an era here in Allen ISD! I can only imagine the countless students, staff, and parents who will reach out to wish Matt a fond farewell before he officially steps down next summer.”

As the district prepares for this transition, Allen ISD has announced that a statewide search for Russell's successor will begin soon, with the goal of ensuring a smooth handover of leadership leading into the 2025-2026 school year.

Please join us in congratulating Matt Russell on a wonderful 29 years in education!

Students at Allen High School are getting hands-on financial education through their work at the CUTX Smart Branch located inside the school. These students, who serve as interns at the branch, are not only gaining valuable job experience but also helping to educate their peers through Financial Literacy presentations.

"What we do here at CUTX is offer financial literacy presentations so that we can give students knowledge about managing their money, finances, and taxes,” said Amy Cook, a CUTX Smart Branch intern. “It's a really good program for both us and our peers to learn more and grow through public speaking."

For Ashton Adams, another intern, the program is about equipping students with essential skills for the future.

"I hope students feel a lot more prepared for their future because, last year, I had a job but wasn't really sure how to manage my money,” said Ashton. “Now, through this program, I feel more confident, and I want others to feel the same as they move on from high school."

William Yang, who has always had an interest in finance, emphasized the unique learning opportunity that comes with the role.

"In middle school, I wanted to learn more about financial literacy, but there weren’t many classes offered,” said William. “I’ve learned a lot about banking, how the system works, and how to communicate with others at community events."

The CUTX Smart Branch provides students with real-world experience while empowering them to share valuable financial knowledge with their peers, preparing them for life beyond high school.

In celebration of National Manufacturing Day, Allen ISD partnered with the Allen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to host its first-ever local Manufacturing Day event in Allen. This event was designed to give Allen ISD students a unique opportunity to explore career options in modern manufacturing, showcasing the industry’s future and the paths available to enter it.

This local event brought together nine area companies and 137 Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Allen High School to experience hands-on learning through facility tours, presentations, and discussions with industry professionals.

“Hosting a local Manufacturing Day allows us to connect our students with businesses right here in Allen,” said Toni Crisler, Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness for Allen ISD. “It provides them with valuable insights into the real-world career opportunities available in their own community and how the education they’re receiving can lead to a successful future.”

The event kicked off with a City Council Proclamation on October 8th, followed by company tours and presentations on October 9th. Participating companies included:

IntelliEPI: A leading provider of advanced semiconductor wafer products used in wireless communication and fiber optic networks. Students observed high-tech manufacturing processes involved in creating these complex components.

Littelfuse: Specializing in circuit protection and power control technologies, Littelfuse provides essential products used across automotive, industrial, and electronics sectors. Students learned how their products contribute to safety and efficiency in various industries.

All Metals Fabricating: A precision sheet metal fabricator, offering full-service metal fabrication and custom assembly. Students got a close-up look at how raw materials are transformed into finished products through cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.

Quest Medical: A medical device manufacturer specializing in products that improve patient outcomes and medical procedures. Students learned about the importance of quality control and precision in manufacturing medical devices.

KONE: Known for their innovative elevators and escalators, KONE is a global leader in the vertical transportation industry. Students explored the design and manufacturing processes involved in creating safe and efficient transport solutions.

Billings Productions: A unique company that manufactures life-size animatronic dinosaurs and other creatures for museums, zoos, and theme parks worldwide. Students were fascinated by the combination of engineering, art, and technology involved in bringing these creations to life.

Flexlink: A company specializing in automated production flow solutions, Flexlink provides systems that improve manufacturing efficiency and flexibility. Students saw how automation is transforming modern production lines.

CEC: A multidisciplinary engineering firm offering extensive services, allowing involvement with projects from conception, to design, to construction. They specialize in transportation design and planning, mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering, power delivery design and inspection, as well as surveying and mapping services.

Students got a sneak peek at their Land Surveying and Remote Sensing equipment and principles, learning the groundwork of a successful design project.

TNP: An engineering, surveying, and consulting firm offering services in civil and infrastructure design. Students learned about the importance of infrastructure development and the critical role engineers play in building and maintaining communities.

Students were able to tour these facilities, observe manufacturing processes firsthand, and learn about the certifications and educational paths needed for careers in the industry. The event concluded with a luncheon and panel discussion at the Collin College Technical Campus, where industry experts discussed the importance of building a strong workforce pipeline.

Allen ISD and the Allen EDC plan to continue this new tradition in the coming years, building on the success of the inaugural event and further strengthening the connection between education and industry within the community.

View the full photo gallery at https://www.flickr.com/photos/allenisd/albums/72177720321070951