The Proud Administration Team of Dennis E. Cowan Elementary
Mr. Travis Brunner, Principal
I am proud to be the Principal at Dennis E. Cowan Elementary. This is my fourteenth year as an educator and my twelfth year in Austin Independent School District, during which I have had the pleasure of being a math teacher, coaching multiple sports, and serving as an assistant principal. I’m excited to continue my passion for ensuring the academic, social, and emotional success of all students and working collaboratively with our students, parents, and staff at Dennis E. Cowan Elementary.
I grew up in Buffalo, NY and am a proud graduate of Penn State University where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. I also completed my Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership at Vanderbilt University and earned my Principal Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University. Becoming an educator has been my goal since high school, when I had the opportunity to intern ten hours a week my senior year at my hometown elementary school with my 5th grade teacher.
Outside of work I enjoy following my sports teams (Penn State, Vanderbilt, Buffalo Bills and Sabres), being active, running and spending time with my four dogs, Kona, Porter, Lilo, and Gusgus.
JC Sanders, Assistant Principal
Hello Coyotes! I am Mrs. Sanders and happy to be serving Dennis E. Cowan Elementary as an assistant principal. In my teaching career, I was a special education teacher, math teacher, 3rd-grade teacher, and special education department chairperson. In my educational career, I have worked at the service center and state level as a specialist and coordinator. I joined Austin ISD in 2017 as a district math specialist and most recently served as a district early childhood instructional coach.
In education, I am passionate about supporting students along their journey of becoming independent adults. I believe we never know a child’s full potential so as educators it is our job to help limit barriers to students’ achieving what they set out to achieve. I am also passionate about supporting teachers in their work of delivering high-quality instruction that is culturally responsive and inclusive of all learners. I believe we are all learners and I cherish opportunities to be a part of someone’s growth and development.
I am a native Austinite but left our beautiful city for a short time to earn my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Special Education at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I returned to school years later to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University and then completed my principal certification from Stephen F. Austin.
I have three amazing children and a loving husband. We enjoy camping and traveling together. We are a scouting family. I have been the scout leader for both of our daughters’ troops and my husband is the leader for our son’s den. I also enjoy cooking, especially baking, working on crafts, and playing the ukulele.
I am very excited to be a Coyote and a member of the Cowan Community. I look forward to building relationships with the students, families, and teachers of Cowan. Let’s learn and grow together!
Cowan Front Office Team
Bookkeeper- @austinisd.org
Louise Gossett - AM Clerk - Louise.Gossett@austinisd.org
Jill Duarte - Registrar - Jill.Duarte@austinisd.org
Carrie Nelson - PM Clerk - Carrie.B.Nelson@austinisd.org
Linda Horton - Health Room - lhorton1@austinisd.org
