Meet the Administration
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MEET PRINCIPAL Melinda Gardner
MEET ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MAUREEN JAMAIL
I began my career in education working in the Denton Independent School District, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, serving homebound students in middle and high school. I then moved to the elementary level first as a reading interventionist then a third-grade teacher. My family made the move back to the Austin area and I was fortunate to get the opportunity to teach fifth grade at Walnut Springs Elementary School. The following year, Rooster Springs opened and I taught fifth grade for two years there before returning to Walnut Springs as the gifted and talented specialist. I spent the next five years at Walnut, teaching GT, fourth grade, and fifth grade before making the jump across 290 to the middle school. I taught sixth-grade World Cultures for two years, and this will be my second year back at Walnut Springs. I have truly enjoyed every minute of my years in education, mostly because it is such a humbling experience to be a part of the growth and learning that happens in our wonderful schools each day. I believe that every child has his or her own special qualities and gifts, and can excel each and every day. It is my job as an educator to maximize student potential and facilitate that learning while building children up. I take the privilege and responsibility very seriously and to heart.
This is my 13th year in Dripping Springs ISD. I have been married to my husband, Troy, for 24 years, and we have two sons. Parker is 20 and will be a junior at Texas A&M studying Industrial Engineering with an emphasis on Sustainable Energy and the Environment. Connor is 19 and will be a freshman at UMASS Lowell studying Health Science Exercise Physiology while playing Lacrosse for the River Hawks. We are involved in our church as well as a variety of other local activities. I love it when my students, past or present, see me out and about and say hello, so don't be shy!