Principal of two years Dr. Terri Benson announced her leave from Caney Creek High School yesterday after accepting the principal role with Angleton High School in Angleton ISD. Benson’s contract with Conroe ISD ends June 30.
Former Principal Dr. Jeffrey Stichler will take over his former post once the board officializes it during their meeting June 24.
“This year we are all going on summer knowing that Caney Creek is better today than when we started,” Benson said in a staff meeting May 27. “Our students are incredible. We have amazing accomplishments. You are incredible in your leadership, and you are the strongest staff that I’ve ever been graced with the opportunity to lead tomorrow.”
Angleton’s current principal of seven years, Anthony Smedley, announced his leave May 27 after being promoted to the new position of director of leadership and talent management in the same district. Angleton ISD contacted Benson over Memorial Day weekend, before Smedly’s official announcement .
“You have to understand that I am recruited by multiple districts, multiple positions regularly, and I always turn them down,” Benson said. “‘Not interested. I’m not interested. I’m not interested.’ But a phone call came in and all they said was, ‘Can we talk to you?’ I just said yes.”
Working at Angleton High would shrink the work commute from her family’s second home in Sargent to just 30 minutes, allowing her to move in full time. The Benson’s purchased the home next to her father-in-law’s property after he died on Oct. 2. His ashes were then spread on the property.
“Anytime I’m not at Caney Creek High School, I’m there,” Benson said. “I’m there because it’s where I find restoration for my soul. It is the proverbial happy place. And the last month has been difficult just with all of the changes in the Conroe Independent School District.”
Benson accepted the contract later that weekend, adding to the growing number of Conroe ISD administrators leaving following Dr. Curtis Null’s departure to Lake Travis ISD as superintendent on May 30.
“I’m gonna give 110% to any situation that I find myself in and I hope that I can serve that community as well as I’ve served this community,” Benson said with tears welling. “I want you to know I’m not running away from Caney Creek. I love Caney Creek. I love the students, I love the staff, I love the community, but I’m called to Angleton.”
A legacy to live up too
Benson has worked under Conroe ISD for 18 years, 15 of which at Conroe High School in positions ranging from department chair to testing coordinator for students receiving special services in 2007-2009, assistant principal from 2009-20013, associate principal of curriculum and instruction from 2013-2018 and Headmaster at the Academy For Science and Health Professions from 2019-2021.
Benson briefly left CISD for her first principal position in Cleveland ISD’s Eastside Elementary for the 2021-2022 school year. The following year, Stichler hired her as the second associate principal of curriculum, splitting responsibilities between her and Kathy Franklin. After Stichler left in 2023, Benson assumed the principal position.
“I realized my passion is high school,” Benson said in a 2022 interview with the Compass. “I could’ve done any other thing but I chose to do this. I chose to come to Caney Creek because I wanted to work with these students and teachers.”
Over her three years at the school, she’s handled bomb threats, odor evacuations, hurricanes, tornados, overcrowding and student protests. Benson has also guided the school through procedural changes involving cellphones, ID badges, hallway routes, lunch line’s and campus expansions.
“There were so many things I wasn’t done with, not by a long shot,” Benson said.” I was excited about continuing the Principal Advisory Committee, because the students on the principal Advisory Committee were getting things rolling. I was getting excited about opening the ninth grade campus.”
Benson was set to begin the transition process in preparation for the ninth-grade campus opening in Fall 2026, reorganize school layout all while anticipating a drop in enrollment once Timber Mills High School is opened and thus taking from the CCHS feeder zone.
“Back to my Roots”
Benson’s plans will transfer back to Stichler after he announced in an email to staff that he had accepted the board’s request to return as principal. The subject line wrote, “Back to my Roots.”
“I am so thrilled to get to work with so many of you again and am equally thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and work with those of you that have come to the Creek since I left,” Stichler wrote. “I know you have made some great progress in many ways under Dr. Benson’s leadership, and I am excited to continue to build upon those successes!”
Benson replied to the email an hour later, relieved to hear the news.
“He was my mentor and is still a wonderful friend,” Benson wrote. “Caney Creek will be in great hands! I can move forward with the peace that The Creek will be loved and cared for!”
