In her second year helming San Jacinto Elementary School, Fallon McLane has won Elementary Principal of the Year honors from Ector County ISD.
This is McLane’s 11th year with the district and she was assistant principal at SJ under Erin Bueno previously. She also has worked in Galena Park ISD and Fort Worth ISD.
Shocked is the word she used to describe what she thought when she realized she won.
“I joke a lot, but I was completely honored. I’m just one of those principals, keep my head down, come to work. My world is San Jacinto, so I don’t know if I’m doing great or if I’m not. I don’t compare myself to other people. … When I get here to San Jacinto with the kids, that’s all I’m worried about. Are they learning? Are they safe? Are they being taken care of; all that good stuff. I was completely shocked. I’m honored and blessed, so that was an awesome experience,” McLane said.
Eighty-three percent of San Jacinto’s students are considered economically disadvantaged.
“When you say that they’re economically disadvantaged, they may come with a lot of baggage — emotional baggage,” McLane said.
The students have to know that they’re wanted and there is a lot of structure at the campus because she noted that kids feel safe when they know what’s coming.
“They know the routines; the procedures. We’re not shifting things around, so that whole feeling of something being constant it just feels secure. That’s what we need to give them because sometimes the home life may not reflect that. It may be I’m moving from place to place, or I have a parent that’s in and out of the home, or I have to be raised by my grandma; or the next week, I have to be raised by my aunt, my uncle; things like that,” McLane said.
She added that they make a lot of effort to make sure the school is a safe environment for students.
“In order to teach them, we have to unpack all of that emotional mental baggage that they bring in, so that structure is the first thing that we put in place,” McLane said.
Eight years ago, San Jacinto was at the bottom of the district, she said.
“I honor (former principals) Ms. (Erin) Bueno and Ms. (Pam) Walker for starting this work. That was really important for me to continue the work that those staff members at that time had started,” McLane said.
She added that she wanted to build on the existing systems. The campus uses techniques from the Ron Clark Academy. Ron Clark was named Disney American Teacher of the Year in 2000, formed the Ron Clark Academy, is a bestselling author and motivational speaker, among other things.
Asked about how she thinks they’ll do in the accountability ratings this year, McLane said she doesn’t know because the standards haven’t been solidified. She noted that it was a tough year for many students and teachers, but students did their best and rose to the occasion.
“I know we had an A rating last year. I am hoping and praying that we maintain that, but at this point right now, all I can truly say is that I am proud of what the teachers have done this year and I’m proud of the effort that the students gave,” McLane said.
This is her second year as principal at San Jacinto and she said the students are the best part. She keeps her office doors open most of the time so the students can come in and ask questions and she can say hi to them, check in with them and tell them she’s happy to see them.
“I want to see them and I want to call them by their name. It’s of big importance to me to make sure I know every student’s name and I actually got a card from one of the students. He said I love when Miss McLane says my name because she knows me. That breaks me down,” McLane said.
She added that she tries to advocate for students because sometimes they don’t have a voice.
“And sometimes their parents don’t have the language to navigate through the educational system and so just being an advocate for the kids, but then also supporting teachers. It’s a tricky balance. But first and foremost this job, man I love kids I’ll have to say,” McLane said.
She said winning the award makes her want to work harder.
“I think that’s just one of the things about being recognized and getting that recognition. … It kind of pushes you. For me, it was what else can I do? What else can I accomplish … I’m not going to get the title again, but it just pushes me,” McLane said.
She expressed thanks to those who recognize the work that’s being done at San Jacinto.
“I don’t solely accept it for myself because, like I told my staff, I say y’all make me look good. … So for me it motivates me to continue to be a champion for them — for teachers and the staff. I’m not seeking another title. I feel good about being recognized and I want to keep pushing them,” McLane said.
McLane earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Texas at Austin. She was certified in early childhood through fourth grade at first, but later got her early childhood through sixth grade certification.
She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from University of Texas Permian Basin.
“That lit the fire for me to start thinking about administration. Before, I worked in the district as a curriculum facilitator and an instructional coach. That was my passion. That is where I not only fell in love with just the planning and delivery of instruction, I fell in love with the work of teachers; how to look at what they do and give them intentional feedback so that they can maximize their instruction and increase student outcomes. That’s where I fell in love with just making sure teachers were supported,” McLane said.
”I think that helped me with my next step as an assistant principal. It wasn’t about just the paperwork. It was about, still, instruction. I am now in a position where I can make change for teachers, and so how am I going to use that position to be effective? I think going through our curriculum and instruction department, it really helped me to be a better administrator,” she added.
She’s not focused on it right now, but she may go on for another advanced degree.
“That’s definitely something that I see further down the line,” McLane said.
San Jacinto has a staff of 45 and 405 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
She added that the campus size is manageable, especially without an assistant principal.
“I will say this year, my counselor (Laurie Vargas), stepped up in some amazing ways and filled in those gaps when I just couldn’t do it,” McLane said.
Bueno, now an executive director of leadership for ECISD, said McLane is an exceptional leader who inspires others with her vision, empowers her team through effective communication, and consistently delivers outstanding results.
“She puts in countless hours to ensure the students at San Jacinto receive the best education possible. Although San Jacinto serves one of the highest economically disadvantaged population, it is also one of the highest performing campuses in the district. She makes this work look easy, but I personally know it is one of the hardest jobs to do. Ms. McLane moves with a purpose and executes with intention!” Bueno added.
