Rosenberg Principal Recognized For Outstanding Leadership

ROSENBERG, TX — A.W. Jackson Elementary School Principal Deana Gonzalez is one of 11 school principals in the U.S. who will received the Terrel H. Bell Award For Outstanding School Leadership during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.

The announcement was made Tuesday in a press release from U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

“We know strong school leadership is a driving force behind ensuring students and teachers succeed,” DeVos said. “I’m pleased to recognize these talented Bell Award winners who are helping to lead needed transformations at the most local level. Through their leadership, vision and effort, countless students – regardless of their family income, race or language proficiency – are able to excel.”

Gonzalez, who became the principal at the Lamar Consolidated ISD campus in 2013, is credited with being the driving force in creating growth and cultivating excellence. Over her tenure, Gonzalez has shifted the paradigm of teaching and learning at Jackson by building a culture of high expectations, cultivating quality relationships, creating structured instructional systems, and working together as a team. The goals that seemed impossible to reach five years ago are now a victorious reality at Jackson Elementary.

Part of this rigorous journey involved fostering a strong bond with parents to encourage involvement in school and student activities, and other school functions. She also reached out to local churches, businesses, and non-profit organizations in the community. The community provided resources, such as individualized tutors and mentors for students, school and office supplies, lunches, gifts, random acts of kindness or service, and words of affirmation to the entire student and staff population.

Along the way, Gonzalez and the Rosenberg community face challenges related to natural disasters. They faced the high waters from the Memorial Day Floods in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which left the community devastated and dozens of students and their families suddenly without shelter.

Undeterred, Gonzalez and her team drove through the streets of her neighborhood to knock on doors and encouraged families to take advantage of the resources available to bring their children back to Jackson.

The area and the families slowly recovered from the devastation, and the families of Jackson Elementary were encouraged by the spirit of hope that conveyed love to those who lost so much.

Under the leadership of Principal Deana Gonzalez, Jackson’s Motto “Every Child, Every Day, Whatever it Takes” reigns true. For every challenge, Principal Gonzalez finds a solution. For every task that seems impossible, she devises a plan to make it possible. The staff draws strength from her willingness to overcome barriers and continuously make Jackson a place of hope and inspiration for everyone who walks through its doors.

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