Meet Conference Scholar
Cheryle Gonzales
Biography
Cheryle Gonzales is the principal of Harry McKillop Elementary School in Melissa, Tex.
^ Return to top
In Her Own Words: A Leadership Reflection
What has led to your development as a leader?
Throughout my career in education and in life, I have been afforded wonderful opportunities that have made me the leader I am today. I have had intelligent, caring, and dynamic mentors to support, guide, disagree with, and listen to me. However, the most important and memorable leadership role that has led to my development was a teacher in my science classroom, learning with and from—can you believe it?—junior high students.
This is where I learned that you must be real. You must be a strong communicator. You must believe in the power and strength of others. I learned that being a masterful teacher meant being a leader who empowered others to realize their strengths, find their passion, and never give up until they have achieved their goals.
I have since worked in three districts through my 27 years in education, each giving me experiences to help me more deeply understand who I am as a leader. As a teacher, assistant principal, district coordinator, and now a principal, I have grown as a leader as I have matured through life. I am not the educational leader I was 27 years ago. My development as a leader has taken on many different hues through the diverse experiences, successes, failures, and challenges I have faced in education.
^ Return to top
What leadership article has inspired you?
^ Return to top
Scholars Quick Links
^ Return to top