About
Shackelford Elementary
Celebrating Decades of Educational Excellence
Shackelford Elementary opened its doors in 1988 as a first through fifth-grade campus. In 2011, it began housing kindergartners. Shackelford Elementary was formally dedicated on August 28, 1988, in honor of longtime Waxahachie ISD educator, Sovola Shackelford.
Sovola Shackelford
Life and Legacy of Mrs. Sovola Shackelford
In 1910, the J.S. Bynum family relocated from Big Springs, Texas, to Ellis County. The Bynums had two daughters, Sovola and Lois, who were raised and educated in Ellis County and graduated from Waxahachie High School. From a young age, Sovola Shackelford, a member of the Class of 1926, discovered her passion for a career in education.
Mrs. Shackelford pursued higher education at Trinity University, Southern Methodist University, and North Texas State University, ultimately earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education. She began her teaching career in rural Ellis County, instructing at Laneview, Boyce, Byrd, and Gove Creek, before joining the Waxahachie Independent School District in 1945 at Ferris Elementary School. After teaching third grade for nine years, she was appointed principal in 1954. Over twenty-one years as a school administrator, Mrs. Shackelford served at both Ferris Elementary and Northside Elementary campuses. She retired in May 1975, concluding forty-eight years of dedicated service as an educator.
Mrs. Shackelford was deeply involved in several clubs in Waxahachie and was honored as the “First Lady” of Waxahachie in 1963. She was also a charter member of Ferris Heights United Methodist Church and an enthusiastic world traveler, exploring both the United States and Europe.
Mrs. Shackelford was held in high esteem throughout Waxahachie and Ellis County for her outstanding contributions as a teacher, principal, and community member. Shackelford Elementary School stands as a lasting tribute to her commitment and service to the students and citizens of Ellis County and Waxahachie.
