When I was teaching, I never thought I wanted to be a principal. After several years in the classroom, I decided that I would like to get my administrative certification and that is when I went back to school. I absolutely loved the 20 years that I spent at Gilbert El! I have liked every position I have held in education, but being an elementary principal is the best job in the world!!!
I never had any aspirations to be a superintendent, but I did get my superintendent's certification when I was working on my principal one. My wonderful aunt Teresa was living in Douglas alone in the house she was born in and where I was raised.
Our family was a bit worried about her being alone as she was 88. In June of 2010, I found out that the superintendent position in Douglas had been reopened when the District did not find anyone in the first search. So after talking to my family, I decided to apply for it so that I could live with her. My thought at the time was if I get it great, but if I don't, I have a job that I love. Well I got it! I remember packing up my office in one week in July and moving down here. It was very quick and I didn't have time to even process it all.
Our family was a bit worried about her being alone as she was 88. In June of 2010, I found out that the superintendent position in Douglas had been reopened when the District did not find anyone in the first search. So after talking to my family, I decided to apply for it so that I could live with her. My thought at the time was if I get it great, but if I don't, I have a job that I love. Well I got it! I remember packing up my office in one week in July and moving down here. It was very quick and I didn't have time to even process it all.
I started here July 26, 2010. School started very quickly after that I so I was thrown in the proverbial "frying pan" very quickly.
Douglas was a great place to grow up in and I wanted to be able to give back to this community that played a major role in who I am today. And being able to be with Teresa has been a blessing in so many ways.
These past five years are probably the worst that someone could be a superintendent because of the funding cuts that have hit Arizona. There is not a level playing field in this state and I continue to be amazed at the work that the educators here in Douglas do on a daily basis under sometimes difficult circumstances.
What a five years it has been!!! Retiring and leaving Douglas is very bittersweet. I have made some incredible friends here. Last week I met with all of the District Office employees individually to say good-bye. There were many tears. I am going to miss so many of these wonderful people.
It has been a blessing on many levels and I know that the District is in a better place than when I came five years ago. It has been quite an experience at so many levels and I will always be so glad that I have been able to be here for these past five years and give back to this community that I love very much!!!!
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