Kelli Sharp Zabel

I am an agricultural education leader and CTE coordinator with a deep commitment to building pathways that connect students to meaningful careers in agriculture and beyond, currently serving as CTE Coordinator at Humble ISD, a role I have held since June 2024, where I support multiple CTE pathways by improving student engagement, enhancing courses, integrating CTSOs, building industry partnerships, and strengthening CCMR performance. I am a Certified T-TESS Appraiser and was honored as the 2026 ATAT Outstanding School Administrator award recipient, and I was part of the 2025 CTE District of Distinction administration team. I coordinate the Humble ISD Livestock Show and Auction, expanding Program of Study-aligned student opportunities and coordinating the current record-breaking auction for the district, increasing by more than forty thousand dollars from the previous record. I oversee daily operations for two district agricultural barns, supervise the Barn Manager, and develop and lead a Barn Leadership Team. I lead core CTE operational processes including Textbook Adoption, DOI teacher training, curriculum support, and district-aligned IBC implementation, resulting in a rise from nine hundred and ninety-one IBCs to over three thousand two hundred in two years. I serve as Project Manager for a major agricultural facility renovation, support district operations related to budget, grant planning, FTE planning, board presentations, and professional learning, and lead the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to strengthen workforce alignment and industry engagement. I also developed, planned, and facilitated the new annual Humble ISD CTE Discovery Day, designed to improve CTE enrollment and long-term CCMR rates.

Alongside my work in education, I am the owner of KZ Cattle Company, a self-employed role I have held since August 2012, where I utilize selection, breeding, and health care knowledge on registered Chianina and Maine Anjou cattle, manage budget and sales operations, and have received Grand Champion titles at numerous stock shows including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Prior to my current role, I served as Agriculture Science Teacher at Kingwood High School for three years, where I coached state qualifying teams, taught multiple preps both in person and online, managed all chapter paperwork and events, received the chapter's first National Chapter Award, and started a doggy daycare program intertwined with three Industry Based Certification offerings. I also served as Agriculture Science Teacher at Livingston High School for one year and as Director of Cattle Operations at B'Mann Farms for over a year.

Across my career in agricultural education, CTE leadership, and cattle operations, my work has been driven by a commitment to student success, industry alignment, and agricultural excellence. Whether I am leading CTE programs, coordinating record-breaking livestock auctions, or managing cattle operations, I bring a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a dedication to building pathways that empower students and strengthen the agricultural industry. I am proud of the work I have done throughout my career and excited to continue serving students and the agricultural community through my work at Humble ISD.