Nora Gonzalez is excited about the new year and her new position as principal of Buddy West Elementary.
“… I’m hoping it’s a positive year without COVID. …,” Gonzalez said. “… I’m just hoping that we have a normal year; as normal as possible.”
West is supposed to have 24 teachers and has three specialized units.
Gonzalez was the assistant principal at Goliad Elementary for the past two years, as well as a bilingual and lead teacher at ECISD since 2009.
The role models and mentors in her life inspired her to reach for the principalship.
“… I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl and I knew I wanted to be a bilingual teacher because I remember helping my mom fill out the applications because she didn’t understand the English language, and I thought when I grow up I’m going to be a bilingual teacher. And now principal, I think, I always had leadership skills. I was lead teacher on my grade level for many years. I felt that it came naturally, helping people, helping them grow; helping them figure out something that they needed help on; helping them understand data. I always took the initiative to help people.”
Blackshear Elementary School Principal Valerie Rivera said this quote describes Gonzalez: “A leader is one who knows the WAY, goes the way and shows the way.”
“Nora is a visionary leader. She knows it’s going to be a challenge to execute her vision for the students, teachers and community. But she is very persistent and will continue to motivate and empower others to meet the goal of success,” Rivera said in an email.
A first-generation college student, Gonzalez earned a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from University of Texas Permian Basin and a master’s in bilingual education, reading and leadership.
“I want to be in this principal role for a very long time. When I was interviewed for the position here at Buddy West, the hiring committee asked me where do you see yourself in three, four years, and I said I see myself here at Buddy West growing with the teachers and helping the students grow along with this,” Gonzalez said.
Before COVID, the campus had about 700 students. In early August, it was at about 350 students in grades kindergarten through fifth.
Gonzalez and her husband, Jorge Holguin, have five children, including 16-year-old twin boys, and two grandchildren.
Her children attended west side schools, so she feels this side of town is her community.
One of her main goals as principal is to support teachers and to improve the campus rating and bring it up to an A.
The state’s accountability ratings range from A through F.
“I know that’s going to take a lot of work, but it’s possible. Anything’s possible,” Gonzalez said.
She is the first educator in her family.
