Mrs. Belinda Cotton

Belinda Cotton joined Mexia ISD in 2010 and is currently working as the R.Q.Sims Intermediate Principal for Blackcat Nation.  She earned her bachelor's degree from UT Tyler and her master’s degree from Louisiana College.  Belinda holds the following educational certifications: EC-6 Generalist, Bilingual, and Principal.

Mrs. Cotton’s career has prepared her to serve the students of Mexia in many ways.  She began her career in the Mexia Headstart Program as a teacher.  She then transitioned to ECI Step by Step as a developmental therapist, followed by Wortham ISD as a teacher.  Belinda has also worked at the college level, being a teacher/instructor at both MCC and Navarro.  In Mexia ISD, she has worked at all four campuses in various roles: a grade level teacher, ESL teacher, LPAC coordinator, counselor, assistant principal and now principal.

Mrs. Cotton was born and grew up in Mexico until she was 9 years old and moved to Mexia.  She married Stanley Cotton in 2009.  They have one son (Esteban) and one daughter (Sara).  They are also blessed with two grandchildren, Zeke and Paisley.  When not working, Belinda  enjoys going on cruises and organizing her closets.

Ms. Laura Tugwell

Laura Tugwell joined Mexia ISD in 2024-25 and is currently working as the R.Q Sims Assistant Principal for Blackcat Nation.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University  and her master’s degree from Lamar University.  Laura’s educational certifications include Family and Consumer Science 6-12 and Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12.

Ms. Tugwell’s career has prepared her to serve the students of Mexia in many ways.  She began her career in education as a teacher at Southland ISD in Southland, Texas (a small community just outside of Lubbock).  At Southland she taught multiple Family and Consumer Science classes, as well as 8th Grade Reading, PE and Desktop Annual.  Laura also served as the FCCLA Advisor with a Regional and State Officer and STAR Event teams.  After two years, she decided to move closer to family and her hometown of Dew and accepted a position teaching 7th grade Lifetime Management at Palestine Middle School.  After one year, she accepted a position at Fairfield High School teaching Family and Consumer Science, specializing in Culinary Arts, where she remained for 16 years before joining Mexia ISD. 

Ms. Tugwell grew up in Dew, Texas.  She has two sons and two daughters and is also blessed with two granddaughters.  When not working, Laura enjoys gardening, working with flowers, and enjoying time with friends and family.  The organizations where she has devoted additional time and energy are the Association of Texas Professional Educators, serving as the district ATPE President 2016-2024 (Fairfield ISD), and the Freestone County Child Protective Services Board Member (2023-present).