I started my teaching career in 1984 when I began teaching 3- and 4-year-olds at a private daycare in Westlake Hills in Austin. The excitement of laying the foundation for learning is what I hold dear in my heart about children and their education. Thirty years later, I can honestly say, teaching children is the most rewarding way for me to give back to my community. My journey in public education began in 1990 at Zavala Elementary in East Austin. At Zavala, I learned the value of building parent and community advocacy and the true meaning of staff collaboration. While at Zavala Elementary, my desire to make an impact on every child I met became my passion. I became thirsty to not only develop the 22 children in my classroom and their parents but entire communities. I decided in 1991, that the only true way to make a difference for all children was to become an administrator. Over the last 22 years, I have dedicated my life to serving children and the communities they live in; making sure that each child knows they are important to me, that we place the right teacher in every classroom, that the teachers know they are valued, that children see school as a fun and safe place to be and that we have a partnership with each family, is what matters most to me as your principal.

My husband and I have lived in Dripping Springs since 1990. We recently celebrated 30 years of marriage. We have two children. Elizabeth, age 27, and lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her husband, James. Marissa, age 24, attends Texas A&M in Corpus Christi and is working on a Masters in English. Spending time with my husband and the girls is what brings me joy away from school.

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!