Campus History

Dr. James Davis

In 1982, Dr. James Davis became our first principal with Ms. Corliss Rogers, as assistant principal. The campus was comprised of grades six thru eight. The student enrollment was 350 with a professional staff of 43. Today four of the original staff are still teachers at Cunningham: Mr. Burchard, band; Ms. Fuller, choir; Mr. Merrell, technology; and Mrs. Warner, physical education teacher.

Ms. Corliss Rogers

In, Ms. Corliss Rogers was named principal. During her leadership, CMS students hosted the 1995 Regional Gulf Coast East Odyssey of the Mind Tournament and received numerous awards of Recognition for the Wildcat Band, Choir and Athletic programs. Staff members won the District’s Teacher of the Year in 1994 and the District’s Rookie Teacher of the Year in 1994 and 1995. Ms. Rogers implemented the Annual Graduating Senior Reception held each year in May for all former CMS Wildcat students. This tradition is one of the highlights of former CMS students even today.
During our renovation in 1992, our school grew considerably. We added a new gym, band room, a Multi-purpose room, a choir room and twenty-eight more classrooms. In addition, we expanded our cafeteria, office suite, library and clinic.

Dr. Angi Williams

In 1997, Dr. Angi Williams assumed the role of principal. CMS won at the UIL Math/Science State Tournament in 1998 and hosted the Regional Pentathlon Tournament in 1998. We received Grants from the G.P.I.S.D. Educational Foundation, as well as being the home of the District Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year in 1998, and the District’s Nurse of the Year in 1998. Through hard work, determination, teamwork and commitment to excellence, Cunningham was the first secondary school in the district to earn the Texas Education Agency academic rating of EXEMPLARY in 1998, helping make G.P.I.S.D. a RECOGNIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT for the first time! In 1999 under the direction of Colonel James Beesley, Cunningham was the first middle school in the district to establish a Leadership Officers Training Core. By 1999, our enrollment had risen to 1250 students and 90 professional staff members.

Mr. John Moore

In 1999 Mr. John Moore our assistant principal, assumed the position of principal for Cunningham. Mr. Moore served as principal for grades six thru eighth. In 1999, the enrollment was 399 sixth graders, 415 seventh graders and 448 eighth graders for a total of 1,262. There were 140 staff members. The following year the campus was split and the sixth graders moved to the new campus. In 2001, our student enrollment without the sixth grade dropped to 865 with 110 staff members.

C.M.S. received the T.E.A. Exemplary Rating in 1999 and 2001 and the T.E.A. Recognized Rating in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. We also received the Award for Academic Excellence in 2001 and 2003.

Mr. Thad Gittens

Mr. Thad Gittens, our assistant principal, became principal of Cunningham in 2004. Students and staff participated in extracurricular activities including: Student Council, Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Peer Assistance and Leadership, Royal Ladies of Distinction, Men of Distinction, Math & Science Club, Pentathlon, Sapphires, T.S.A. (Technology Students Association) and L.O.T.C. Our band, choir and athletic programs excelled. The music department has received First Division Superior Ratings, UIL Sweepstakes and various awards over the years.

Mr. Billy Foster

Mr. Billy Foster came to us in 2007 from North Shore High School. Under his leadership W.C. Cunningham realized tremendous achievement gains and received the TEA rating of "Recognized" for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 before posting an "Exemplary" rating for the 2009-2010 school year. The 2010-2011 school year saw a "Recognized" rating as well.

Mr. Justin May

In 2011, Mr. Justin May was named principal. In the year to come, our campus will continue to promote the W.C. Cunningham Wildcat philosophy of Maximum Student Learning.

During this time, our campus was in a transitional phase. We were undergoing an extensive renovation project which was completed in several phases. During Mr. May's years we begin the transition from the TAKS test to the STAAR assessment. During this time, we operated under a grant with Making Middle Grades Work which will establish a campus-wide, cross-curricular literacy program, align daily instructional strategies with research based, high-yield practices, and promote college readiness.

Everyone at CMS truly believes that we live up to our name: A “Caring Middle School.” Under the leadership of Mr. Justin May, our staff is constantly striving to “Building our Future Together” and achieving Wildcat Pride.

Mr. David Pierson

In 2014, Mr. David Pierson was named Principal of W.C. Cunningham Middle School. Mr. Pierson comes with previous administrative experience from both the primary and secondary levels of education. He served as Associate Principal of North Shore 9^th grade campus and Principal of Normandy Crossing Elementary school. In addition to his extensive leadership experience, Mr. Pierson has returned to where he started his career as a math teacher and head coach. Under Mr. Pierson’s direction, Cunningham will continue to perpetuate the philosophy of student success through instructional support, academic teaming, and campus/community leadership.

 In June 2017, Mrs. Shaunté Morris was named Principal of W.C. Cunningham Middle School.  Mrs. Morris is a proud product of the Galena Park Independent School District and former student of W.C. Cunningham Middle School.

She has served children in the following capacities:
Middle school math teacher (Cunningham Middle School)
Middle school math specialist (Cunningham Middle School)
Middle school assistant principal (Galena Park Middle School)
High school associate principal (Galena Park High School)

Middle school principal (Galena Park Middle School)

She strives daily to empower and motivate faculty, staff, and students by upholding our district motto which is to LEAD, LEARN, and SERVE. 

As a former student and teacher of W.C. Cunningham Middle School, Mrs. Morris is dedicated to ensuring that students have an engaging and different learning experience. She is also committed to meeting the district's and parents' expectation of EXCELLENCE!