Mandy D. Epley, M.Ed brings classroom and campus leadership experience from 16 years of service working as a Theatre and English teacher/Department Coordinator in Friendswood ISD, SCUCISD, and Northside ISD. She knows the impact teachers have on students, and how important it is for teachers to have the support of their administrators. 

Starting in 2013, she served Comal ISD in various administrative capacities from Director of Fine Arts and Executive Director of Human Resources & Customer Service to Chief of Staff and most recently Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives & Programs and Assistant Superintendent of Operations. Ms. Epley also served as the Acting Superintendent of the Comal Independent School District, a fast-growth public school district serving more than 28,300 students within its 589 square miles. 

With 26 years of experience in education, Ms. Epley has been instrumental in leading and advocating for every student in the district. She has spearheaded initiatives such as “Every Student Connected,” which provides students from elementary through high school with opportunities to get involved in activities or programs such as Athletics, Chess, Fine Arts, Student Leadership, CTE, and more, on their campuses, believing that these opportunities give students the space to master skills, maximize performance and gain confidence which directly translates into success in the classroom.

She has led and supported initiatives to manage growth through community and stakeholder feedback committees, develop standards of service and compensation through Customer Service Advisory and Compensation Task Force.  She is an advocate for student leadership and voice and supports a Superintendent Student Advisory and student input in strategic planning and educational opportunity improvements.

A proponent of civic and community engagement, Ms. Epley is involved in parent and teacher groups such the Council of PTAs, Education Foundations and the Lions Club. She is a member of many professional organizations including the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Business Officials and more. 

She has earned many accolades including Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Texas Educational Theatre Association Secondary Educator of the Year 2013, Northside Independent School District Educator of the Year 2009, Brandeis Educator of the Year 2009 and KENS 5 Educator of Excellence 2009. Ms. Epley is currently enrolled at Texas State University in the dissertation phase to earn her doctorate degree in school improvement. She earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University and a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston University. She is married to Justin, a revenue accountant for an oil and gas firm, and is the proud Godmother of Lily (16), Everly (9), and Emmy Lou (6). 

With a desire to serve a growing district with a focus on providing the very best community for students to grow and learn, she became Navarro ISD’s new superintendent in April of 2023. Ms. Epley is proud to serve with outstanding educators and staff who share her vision of student excellence not only in the classroom, but in every function of school district life. She believes that our greatest strength is the people of our district and community and she is committed to building on a standard of excellence to make Navarro ISD a place that everyone recognizes as exceptional.

Superintendent Contract