Good afternoon Dolores Community,
There are very few annual events that give rise to feelings that going back to school does. For myself, each of the past 18 back-to-schools stir up feelings of excitement, apprehension, hope, insecurity, and inspiration, to name a few. These feelings come and go and seemingly occupy my thoughts simultaneously, but the emotion this year that seems to dominate is exhilaration. This opportunity is a professional challenge that I am ready to take on enthusiastically. I do my best each day to be grateful for the opportunity to lead our students and staff and build relationships with our community.
I enter the job with 18 years of experience in rural, urban and suburban locales in both Texas and Colorado, including time in each of the elementary, middle and high school settings. These diverse experiences have allowed me to observe the social, behavioral, and academic transitions from kindergarten through high school senior year. I have had the opportunity these last 2 years to serve Dolores as the elementary school principal, and as a high school teacher and athletic director. Previously, I have served as an assistant principal, an instructional coach, an online school director, a middle school and high school teacher, adjunct faculty at a university, and an athletics coach both at the high school and collegiate levels.
In the coming weeks I look forward to speaking with parents, students, staff, and community members to hear ideas, share concerns, and find ways to strengthen our partnerships. My door is always open but there are upcoming events next week where I will be available: August 7th from 4-6 is our Freshman Orientation and Open House is August 8th from 12-6. Let’s get our students exhilarated about the school year. Go Bears!
Sincerely,
Matt Walker