Principals Jason Frerking and Becky Morris are dedicated administrators who have made a profound impact in the lives of their students, teachers and communities. Pearland Independent School District named Pearland Junior High South’s Frerking and Challenger Elementary’s Morris as the 2022 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year.
Jason Frerking, Pearland Junior High South
Frerking recently completed his tenth year as principal at Pearland Junior High South and has served in education in various roles for a span of 25 years. As principal, he strives to create a campus that students, teachers and staff take pride in being a part of.
“I take great pride in the responsibility of leading those I serve, and normally that is enough to keep me motivated. I also focus on the positives – there are so many positive things going on every day in our schools, and the positives substantially outweigh the negatives,” Frerking said.
Frerking began his career in Pearland ISD as the assistant band director for Pearland Junior High East and Jamison Middle School working his way up to head band director, assistant principal and ultimately as principal at Pearland Junior High South. He stays motivated by focusing his efforts in building impactful relationships.
“Sometimes it’s the small things — like giving a student a high-five or fist bump in the hallway — that makes all the difference. Building world-class schools in Pearland ISD starts with world-class relationships because relationships are the prerequisite to learning at high levels,” he said.
Frerking has a Bachelor of Music with All-Level Teacher Certification and Master of Science in Education Management from University of Houston.
Challenger Elementary, Becky Morris
Morris recently completed her third year as principal at Challenger Elementary. Before joining Pearland ISD, she was an elementary assistant principal in Deer Park ISD. Prior to that, she was a math teacher at Deer Park, Spring Branch and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISDs.
“Seeing student achievement improve and increased teacher efficacy keeps me motivated. When teachers come to me excited to try fresh, new ideas, I know we are headed in the right direction,” she said. “If you see a principal that you think is great, know that the teachers and staff inside that building are even greater!”
With 18 years of experience in education, Morris has a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix. Morris’ vision is to create a culture of achievement and success for all students and staff.
“I want my generation’s success ‘ceiling’ to be the next generation’s success ‘floor.’ I find great joy in finding my staff’s strengths in leadership and empowering them to keep growing as learners and leaders,” Morris said.
