United Independent School District is proud to announce the appointment of Gilberto Cardenas as the new principal of Lyndon B. Johnson High School.

A lifelong Laredoan and veteran educator, Mr. Cardenas brings more than two decades of dedicated service to United ISD. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation as a collaborative instructional leader committed to academic excellence, student growth, and building strong relationships throughout the school community.

Mr. Cardenas joins Johnson High School after serving as Associate Principal at the John B. Alexander High School Ninth Grade Campus since 2023. In that role, he oversaw daily campus operations, supported instructional excellence through T-TESS evaluations, and helped lead the freshman campus. His leadership was recognized in 2024 when he was named the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) Region I Assistant Principal of the Year. Prior to becoming associate principal, he served five years as an assistant principal.

Before entering campus administration, Mr. Cardenas established a distinguished career as both an educator and coach. From 2012 to 2018, he served as Head Girls Basketball Coach and ISS Teacher at Alexander High School, leading the Lady Bulldogs to a city-record 37-2 season and compiling an outstanding 182-48 overall coaching record that included multiple regional Sweet 16 and Elite Eight appearances. Earlier in his career, he taught government at both United and Alexander High Schools and social studies at Trautmann Middle School.

As principal of Johnson High School, Mr. Cardenas is focused on maximizing student attendance, fostering a growth mindset, strengthening relationships across the campus, and cultivating a culture built on integrity, energy, effort, enthusiasm, and collaborative excellence.

"You may not control when opportunity comes, but you absolutely control whether you are ready when it does," said Mr. Cardenas, quoting educational leader Dr. Brad Johnson. "I am entirely committed to being a principled instructional leader who drives strategic improvements through active listening, objective assessment, and a collaborative spirit.