Bittersweet Good-Byes---Exciting Hellos

June is one the busiest months of the year.  It is filled with resignations, interviews, and new hires. I am lucky that my campus is not losing many teachers, but there have been some key positions that we have had to fill. It is never easy to say good-bye, but the following teachers and staff that have faithfully served DMS--- I thank you and wish you all the best!
Lynn Smith, AP--moved to Dallas
Jennifer Lyon, Counselor--transfered to Grisham
Casey Davids, Counselor--moved to Austin
Bernadette Delagarza, 8th grade Science--transferred to Grisham
Natalie Collins, 8th grade Science--transferred to Cedar Ridge HS
Elaine Fowler, 8th grade math--accepted position as new Master Teacher at Hernandez
Alberto Nissim, 7th grade math--transferred to Round Rock HS
Joe Topa, SPED Inclusion--retired
Laurie Rogoff, 6th grade ELA--accepted into nursing school

I am excited to announce the newest members of our Deerpark family--they are all pretty amazing!

Aimee Swann, Assistant Principal
Shannon Bond, Counselor
Victoria Barkelew, 8th grade Science
Andrew Lyon, 7th grade Science
Andrea Pikas, 8th grade math & Algebra
Jacob Taras, 8th grade math & Algebra

We still have one more counselor to hire, but I am hoping to fill that position soon. I know you will all enjoy meeting the newest members of our team.

Being a Principal

A parent recently asked me what was the hardest part of my job.  I smiled and causally said, "Keeping everyone happy." I didn't elaborate, and the conversation went into a different direction, but the question has been hiding in the dark corners of my mind ever since. When I started teaching in 1993, I never imagined that I was going to be a principal one day.  I feared the principal who hired me---he never smiled, never complimented, never really spoke.  I don't remember faculty meetings or parties---I just remember that I really struggled as a first year teacher, and I was too afraid to ask for help. As my career progressed, and I changed schools, I grew to love my profession.  I loved teaching--I loved kids---I loved school.  I spent hours creating lessons and grading papers.  I sponsored Student Council, Cheerleading, Prom, and Mock Trial.  I volunteered to be at every function, and I was the loudest voice at every school event, cheering on my kids.  Teaching was all I ever wanted to do---it was who I was---it was my heart. I didn't serve on the school leadership team--I wasn't department chair--I wasn't on Site Base.  I never knew what happened in the front office because I was too occupied dealing with my own little teaching world.  I could simply close the door and find my place as the Queen of my classroom. I was a teaching "goddess"--I could out-teach any of my peers.  The kids loved me, and they were prepared for college when they left my classroom. I never thought I would be a principal--it just wasn't me.

Then one day, something happened. I was called into the principal's office and questioned about an incident that had nothing to do with me. I saw kids who were victimized by an administrator who had no idea or clue what he was doing. I went to my classroom, and I sat and looked at all the desks in my room.  I realized that I could impact the 150 students that walked into my class every day when it came to reading, writing, philosophy, and a passion for learning, but I couldn't make a difference where it mattered the most---equity, social justice, fairness, responsibility, second chances, and the belief that education was a means to improve our society. I looked on-line and enrolled in a Master's degree program to become an administrator.

Some of my teachers have asked me if I have ever regretted my decision to become a principal.  Although I miss the classroom very much, I have never once thought I made the wrong decision. Being a principal has been the hardest, but the most rewarding career path. I wasn't joking that the hardest part of being a principal is keeping everyone happy.  I have so many people that I have to appease, motivate, encourage, and support, and they all have different demands.  It isn't easy to keep 1000 students, 2000 parents, 40,000 community members, 100 teachers/staff members, 3 bosses, and 7 school board members happy--in fact, it is next to impossible.  Yes, I work at it every day, with a smile on my face and love in my heart.  I may not be able to do everything, but what I can do, makes a difference every day.  :o)

Insanity

• Yesterday, my secretary came to tell me that 2 bombs exploded in Boston at the Boston marathon--reasons unknown! 
• It was only a short time ago that a gunman went into an elementary school to shoot and kill innocent children and teachers.
• Last week, I heard on the news that the Texas legislators were looking at a bill that would pay for teachers to be trained to carry conceal weapons at school.
• The North Korean leader is sending death and nuclear bomb threats to the United States.

With all the insanity that is happening in our world, it makes me wonder where have all the good people gone? I know we are still here, and I know we are the majority.

• Yesterday, at the Boston marathon bombing, I saw hundreds of people running to those hurt and rendered aid.  This morning, hundreds of Boston residents were opening their homes and their hearts to tourists who couldn't go back to their hotel rooms.
• The response by the world to the Sandy Hook shooting was amazing.  This tragedy has inspired debates about gun control and serious consideration for gun control legislation. People all over the world have embraced the small community and offered prayers and support to both the victims and the survivors.
• The Texas legislature may be considering having teachers carry controlled weapons to school, but I have talked to thousands of teachers that agree it is not the answer to securing our schools and protecting our youth.  Even if the Texas legislators have completely lost their mind, our dedicated and caring educators have not.
• One leader out of hundreds is threatening violence against the USA---we forget about the hundreds of leaders that value and support our country and will do whatever in their power to help protect this great country.

Evil exists in this world, but as long as good people with good intentions continue to be the majority, then evil can not win. As we have to watch the horrors unfold in the media, let's not forget that there is still goodness, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and love that will always triumph over evil.

Spring Break?

I can not believe that we are already at spring break---where has time gone?  As I look at my blog, I realize that I haven't posted anything since December---it seems like December was just yesterday.  I remember when I was a kid, I thought--"I can't wait to grow up---I can't wait to be on my own---I can't wait to have my own family---I wish time would move faster!"  Now that I am grown, on my own, and have my own family, I am begging time to slow down---it is just moving so quickly.
STAAR testing will be upon us very soon.  EOCs will follow, and then this year will be over!  I hope you have the opportunity to spend some much needed time with your student.  I hope that every minute that you have with them next week moves at a snail's pace.  One day soon, they will be gone--on their own, with their own family.  Treasure every moment--time goes by too quickly.
Enjoy your spring break!

Yes, My Dear Ones, there is a Santa!

My 8 year old step daughter told me the other day that her mom informed her that there was "no Santa Clause and that parents put the gifts for children under the tree."  I was sad when she told me this because, she is our youngest child, and I had hoped that she would hang onto the magic of Christmas for a few more years. Although, my step-daughter is correct that her dad and I are the ones who buys and wraps her gifts, she is very much mistaken that there is no Santa.  I was reminded today that Santa will be very much alive in our world this Christmas after two major tragedies in the last 2 weeks. 
Last Friday, I watched the news in shock and horror as the story of Sandy Creek elementary in Newtown, Connecticut unfolded.  Not once in my worst nightmare could I have imagined someone coming in off the streets and killing innocent 6 and 7 year old children. As I stayed glued to the news coverage all weekend, I heard people questioning how something like this could happen. There was so much focus on the horror and the tragedy of the event that we forgot to look at the love and support that our country and the world sent to this small town.
Early this morning, 3 apartment buildings were burned, and 7 of my families, 15 of my feeder elementary school's families, and 17 of my feeder high school's families all lost everything---most of them were still in their pjs when they learned they lost everything.  As the news of this tragedy spread throughout our community, countless numbers of people brought clothing, food, toiletries and money to our campuses for those that lost everything.  My own teachers were coming to the office and taking their own coats off their backs to donate to our families or going home to get blankets and food. Many people donated money so that these families could replace Christmas gifts---they were adament that our children would not wake up Christmas morning without a present.  My students at school were organizing and showing support in any way possible. As I witnessed the generosity of my community, I stopped to remember that although Santa may not be a "real person," his spirit and his magic exist in the giving and generous nature of all people. The spirit of Santa is alive and well as long as goodness and love exist in this world. As long as we continue to believe in Santa, then there will always be one.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and may the holiday spirit fill you with love and hope. I love my wonderful Deerpark community.

Merry Christmas

On behalf of the Deerpark faculty and staff, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  School will be closed December 21-January 7th. May your holiday be spent with those you love, and you enjoy all the season has to offer.  Have a wonderful break, and we will see you in January!

The Texas Middle School Association's Schools to Watch committee will be here on December 5th.  We are very excited to show off our wonderful campus.  The day they are visiting is an excursion day.  Starting excursions this year has been a challenge, but the student love them.  It is a day filled with creativity and wonder.  I see so much joy on the faces of our students, and they ask me quite often why every day can't be an excursion day.  I hope that this particular day goes well.  Our students are so amazing, and my teachers are truly phenomenal---they deserve this recognition.  :o)