By Giselle Torres
Marfa High School Journalism Class
After a year without a principal, Marfa ISD was finally fortunate to get a principal at the beginning of this year. By now, most of you have met Dr. Dominguez, our new principal. She has already made a huge impact on the school year and Marfa students and teachers. This year has already seen lots of change and most Marfa students don’t know Dr. Dominguez very well yet, since this is her first month of her first year here at Marfa. So, Itzel and Zoey and I decided to interview her and get her points of view so that readers of this newsletter can be filled in!
“How did you end up here in Marfa?” we asked.
“Well, actually it was because I met your superintendent, Coach Alferez, while I was doing my superintendent certification. We just finished classes in July, through Region 18 in Midland, and he approached me and told me that Marfa ISD was looking for a principal. I didn’t know you guys had been without a principal for a year. That makes it even more challenging for me and made it more appealing to me. It made me feel like, ‘Let’s do it.’ I know there is a lot of work to be done but I know that we can get it done together.”
She continued, “So I decided to come out here to Marfa. I had never been out here in Marfa, I wanted to come see. This wasn’t the only position offer I got. I was also offered in Midland, which, I had already been there before as a secondary counselor, I also have worked at Pecos as an assistant principal, I had thought about going back home to El Paso, because I miss my kids, but I came and visited and I met Mr. Natividad, he gave me a tour of the campus and around town, and I was like, ‘Yes! I could do this!’ I fell in love with this school and the community. At the interview, there were a lot of people, and they asked me a lot of questions, but now I know why, because they expected someone who knows what they’re doing because you guys had been without a principal for a year. And, yes, this is how I ended up here and I am loving it!”
We continued the interview by asking what Dr. Dominguez’s expectations for this school year are, and she said, “My expectations are accountability, for everyone from the top down, I am a ‘go getter.’ That’s why when I heard that there was no principal here I was like, ‘Let’s do this,’ because I love coaching teachers. I am not out to get anyone. It is more of, like, how can I better you so you can be better for our kids, for growth. It’s not just about the STAAR but also about being the best that you can be, so that is why I have high expectations for everyone.”
She continued that her expectations include, “Transparency for you, the students, as well as parents and community. I think communications should be improved, and we have been working on it. I want to have fun, but good fun, with discipline.”
“What are you checking for when walking into classes and seeing students in the mornings?” We were asking about her daily policy of going into core classes during the first periods of the day. Dr. Dominguez replied, “Well, I am checking for a lot of things, first of all, I am picking up on the climate, I greet the students. I like to say, ‘Good morning! Good morning!’ Not everyone says it back, but it’s okay, I get it, not everybody is a morning person.”
She continued by talking about what else she looks for, saying, “I like to notice the little things like dress code, if the date is written on the board, and the ‘We will/I will.’ I trained the teachers on the Fundamental Five [a lesson plan template that MISD educators are expected to follow this year that includes We Will/I will statements written on the board each day] so that you guys are learning and being held accountable, because if we don’t follow through and monitor, it won’t get done. So, I like to keep up with those things as well as greeting you and wishing y’all a good day.”
We asked the next question, about behavior, saying, “You have emphasized discipline a lot, and behaviors, while talking to us. What needed to be changed?” “Yes, when I first came in I talked with Coach Alferez and we looked over the discipline matrix, and [went] over the handbook –– making changes. We talked about blankets being a big issue, torn jeans and too much skin showing, like crop tops and spaghetti straps, most of these things were already in the handbook, like the no torn jeans and dress code. As well as students being around in the hallways too much for too long, so all of these things were brought up. But! These rules were not being as enforced as they should have been. So, again, I am just making sure it is there and is being communicated to you students as well as parents. Same thing, going back to the transition between classes, I would like all the teachers to be out in hallways making sure kids are getting to class and following rules as well as to make sure there is no bullying happening. I have already had to go talk to some of the classes and talk about respecting each other, and I am really enforcing these things, because some students need more structure and there has to be consistency.”
We ended the interview by asking Dr. Dominguez how she feels about Marfa students so far compared to others at different schools. “I am loving it. A lot of people would tell me like, ‘What are you going to do with Marfa?’ and I’m always like, ‘What do you mean? I want to make growth!’ Changes are coming, and changes are here! I don’t want to be looked at as bad, I love that you all are very respectful with, ‘Yes ma’am, no ma’am,’ because that is not found everywhere; I am impressed with you all and I really like it, so far I am really loving being here!”
So, there you have it. The new principal in her own words! We had a good time interviewing Dr. Dominguez and getting to hear her points of view on our students and teachers and overall school, hearing about how she made it to Marfa and how Marfa ISD’s advocates on the school board and hiring committee really were interested in her and made her want it. As you read, Dr. Dominguez has told us how she is loving it so far, and we got to hear her side of the story in coming to a new school, making new changes and good impacts on students.