It is a true privilege to serve as the principal of Ben Milam Elementary, a campus I’ve proudly led for the past four years — now entering my fifth year alongside our incredible students, staff, and families. Every day, I am inspired by the brilliance, resilience, and potential of our Tigers, and it’s an honor to guide our campus community in creating a joyful, affirming, and high-achieving school environment.

My journey in education began at Columbia University, where I earned my undergraduate degree and first discovered my passion for working with youth while teaching health education in underfunded public high schools through the national nonprofit Peer Health Exchange. That experience, paired with my graduate studies in Educational Leadership at Southern Methodist University, opened my eyes to the deep inequities facing many of our students — especially those who are Black, Brown, low-income, or emergent bilingual. I’ve been committed ever since to building schools where every student is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.

One of my proudest accomplishments as principal has been overseeing our BOND modernization project and leading multiple campus transformation initiatives. This includes the Project READ library redesign in partnership with Apple, securing a $350,000 Public School Innovation Grant to pursue and achieve Visible Learning Accreditation, and building strategic partnerships that have reshaped our physical and instructional environment. These include planting over 60 trees on campus with Energy Transfer and the Texas Trees Foundation, coordinating a campus-wide beautification Day of Service with over 100 community volunteers through Church of the Incarnation, and developing enriching academic partnerships such as Catch Up & Read to accelerate student literacy and United to Learn, supporting our work across social-emotional learning, campus culture, literacy growth, and community engagement.

At the heart of all this work is a simple but powerful belief: ALL students can learn. My hope is that every student, educator, and family member who walks through our doors leaves with the unshakable understanding that, together, we have the collective power and responsibility to help every scholar reach their full potential and become a leader of their own learning.

On a personal note, I’m a big sister to a middle schooler — which fuels my deep commitment to educational equity — and a new dog mom to an energetic pit bull puppy named Maple. In my spare time, I love to travel, exercise, and recently joined my first running club, so if you see me out running around the city, be sure to say hello!

Thank you for partnering with us on this journey. I’m so grateful to be part of this vibrant, unstoppable Tiger family.

My name is Reanna Wilborn, and I’m proud to serve as the principal of this incredible school as I begin my fifth year leading Ben Milam Elementary. My own educational journey began at Columbia University, where I earned my undergraduate degree, followed by a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Southern Methodist University. Education changed my life-and l am passionate about ensuring it does the same for every child who walks through our doors.

Ben Milam is more than a school. We are a family. A place where students are seen, challenged, supported, and celebrated. As a Visible Learning accredited campus, our team is deeply committed to research-based instruction, joyful culture, and continuous improvement — all rooted in the belief that every student can succeed.

Whether your child is starting their first day of Pre-K or preparing to finish their last year in 5th grade, our promise remains the same: to partner with you in preparing them for a bright future — one full of opportunity, achievement, and pride. Thank you for being part of our Tiger Family. Let’s make this year our best one yet!