Veteran educator Keith Oliphant has been named the new principal of Harris County Department of Education’s Academic and Behavior School East.

With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Oliphant has taught in Alief, Fort Bend and Houston independent school districts. He most recently served as the assistant principal at HCDE’s Academic and Behavior School West.

Throughout his career, the Sugar Land resident has served as a teacher, teacher mentor, educational consultant and assistant principal and specializes in crisis prevention, special education and instructional leadership. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Prairie View A&M and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Sam Houston State University.

Oliphant is an active member of the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) and The American Red Cross.

HCDE’s Academic and Behavior schools provide an enriching and supportive learning environment for students ages 5-22 with intellectual, developmental and behavioral disorders. For more information, visit www.hcde-texas.org.