We would like to welcome Ms. Olivia Juarez as our new Spanish teacher, a graduate from Ira ISD. From Ira, Olivia pursued a dual degree in marketing and management with a minor in Spanish at Texas Tech University. Olivia will bring a refreshing blend of corporate expertise and cultural passion to her role as a Spanish teacher.
Before entering education, she spent several years as a Corporate Sales Executive at AT&T, where she honed her skills in communication, relationship-building, and strategic problem-solving in a fast-paced business environment.
Driven by a deep appreciation for the Spanish language and a desire to make a more personal impact, Ms. Juarez has transitioned to teaching to share her knowledge and inspire the next generation of global citizens. Her classroom will be a dynamic space where students will not only learn to speak Spanish but will also gain insights into all Hispanic/Latino cultures. She is excited to have the opportunity to immerse the students in real-world scenarios.
With her professional background and dedication to student success, Ms. Juarez will create an engaging, inclusive environment that will encourage curiosity, confidence, and connection through language.
Ira ISD is proud to welcome Coach Shane Stewart as the district’s new Head Baseball Coach. A seasoned educator and coach with deep roots in West Texas, Coach Stewart brings over 25 years of experience in public education and athletics. Coach Stewart will also serve as an assistant coach in both our boys and girls athletic programs.
No stranger to Scurry County, Coach Stewart has spent the past 13 years at Snyder ISD, where he served as Head Baseball Coach and led the Tigers to multiple playoff appearances— including two semi-final runs—and back-to-back district championships in 2023 and 2024.
Before his time in Snyder, Coach Stewart coached at Roosevelt ISD (8 years) and Lubbock Monterey High School (6 years).
A passionate math teacher, Coach Stewart is known for instilling strong academic and personal values in his students. He often shares this message with his students and athletes: “Control what you can control—your attitude and effort. While we can’t always choose our circumstances, we can always choose how we respond.”
Coach Stewart met his wife, Jennifer, in 5th grade. They both graduated from Frenship Schools and Texas Tech University, and have been married for 27 years. Jennifer is teacher at Snyder Intermediate School. They have three adult children and recently became grandparents:
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Daughter Jordyn (22), her husband Coach Jace Keesee (coach in Shallowater ISD) and their daughter Juniper.
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Son Hunter (21), a Texas Tech graduate currently working as a Social Content Specialist with Learfield Communications, a partner of Texas Tech Athletics.
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Son Easton (19), a 2024 graduate of Snyder High School and 2025 graduate of Western Texas College, who plans to continue his business degree and collegiate baseball career this fall.
Coach Stewart shared, “I’m always amazed at how the Lord orchestrates all things for good. Time and again, our own plans have evolved into something far greater than we could have imagined on our own. Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. What a blessing that we get to begin a new adventure, yet continue relationships within a community that has meant so much to our family.”
We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Amy Ford to the Ira ISD family! She will serve as the Special Education Director, overseeing Resource and Inclusion services, as well as supporting the Dyslexia and 504 programs. She brings over 15 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, campus leader, and assistant principal, a role she most recently filled at Snyder Junior High. She’s passionate about supporting all learners and building strong school communities.
Mrs. Ford has been married to her husband for 19 years, and they have five children. Her family also served as a foster home for eight years, an experience that deepened her commitment to helping every child feel valued and supported.
She looks forward to a great year at Ira
Ira ISD is proud to announce the hiring of Scurry County native Jamie Arnold as its new head boys’ basketball coach. Arnold, a 2007 Snyder High School graduate, has spent over a decade in Frenship ISD, most recently assisting head coach Paul Page and the Tigers all the way to the Region 2-6A Finals.
Coach Arnold’s wife Courtney is an audiologist at Cornerstone Audiology, whose operation includes a Snyder office. They will have been married 11 years this June and have three children who will be joining the Bulldog team: Harlow (9), Grayson (7), and future Bulldog, Beau (3 Months).
Coach Arnold spent the previous 10 years as the Boys Athletic Coordinator at Terra Vista Middle School in Frenship ISD. He started his career as an assistant coach at Morton High School. Coach Arnold will teach Social Studies and carries as strong a reputation in the classroom as he holds on the court.
Welcome to Ira, Arnold family! We are thrilled you are joining us!
Today, Ira ISD is posting the position of Head Boys Basketball Coach for applicants. The Bulldog basketball team will return two starters and five other contributing lettermen from a 12-0 district champion team that went 26-6 in the 2024-25 season.
We are appreciative of Todd Wall, who has served nine years working with our young men as head boys basketball coach. In every season under his leadership, the Bulldogs reached the playoffs.
Coach Wall will continue his work with Ira ISD as our elementary PE teacher and remain a vital part of our coaching staff through all Bulldog athletic seasons as an assistant coach and head tennis coach. Thank you, Coach Wall, for all you have done and will continue to do!
Ira ISD continues to accept applications for the following positions:
Secondary English Teacher
Secondary Science Teacher
Secondary Spanish Teacher
At the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on February 12th, Ira Trustees approved the hiring of Mrs. Katie Spence as the Ira ISD Fine Arts Director for the 2025-2026 school year. Ira ISD is thrilled to have Mrs. Spence on board! She will direct our One Act Play program in addition to overseeing all elementary and secondary fine arts instruction. She brings great experience in this field and will impact every student from PK-12th grade.
Katie Spence is a Snyder native, she attended college at The University of Texas at Austin and finished her BA in Theatre from Oklahoma City University. She received her MA in Theatre from the National University of Ireland in Galway. Mrs Spence has held roles as an Academic Counselor at Western Texas College, and as Theatre Director at Snyder High School leading multiple companies to every level of the UIL One Act Play Contest. has taught Business and Entrepreneurship, and most recently served as an Assistant Principal at Snyder ISD.
Mrs Spence has been happily married to Brian Spence for 15 years. They have two wonderful children—Scout, who is 10 and in 5th grade, and Sam, who is 3.
In her free time, Katie enjoys cooking, walking, Tik-Tok-ing, and spending quality time with family.