Mr. Michael Houston’s last name may be the largest city in Texas, but our new principal hasn’t always lived here. He grew up in a small town, in what he describes as a “rural area” in Alabama.

“Originally, I’m from Alabama, so I’ve been here in Texas for about fourteen years now,” Houston said.

After completing his undergraduate degree at Tuskegee University in Alabama, Mr. Houston moved to the lone star state. His college girlfriend pursued a job with Nasa, so naturally, Mr. Houston went with her.

“My girlfriend, at the time, got a job with NASA right after college, so I followed her out here to start Grad school,” Houston said.

It seemed to all work out, considering they are now married with kids. He started working as an apartment manager, but then decided he wanted to teach. He began teaching in 2006, but since then, he has shifted to being an administrator.

“I’ve been a head principal now for six years,” Houston said.

Houston was hesitant originally on ever becoming an administrator. He considers himself to not be a very traditional teacher, and he worried he wouldn’t have time with other teachers and students.

“I felt like the administration was the dark side,” Houston said. “It was an ‘us vs. them’ attitude in my mind.”

However, he has been excited to come to Springs. After undergoing a long hiring process, which involved a timed write, a ten-minute presentation, a fifteen-question interview with a nine-person panel and a one-on-one with Dr. Smith, our superintendent, he’s ready to take on the role.

“Clear Springs is a high achieving school,” Houston said. “Changing things, to me, isn’t a necessity.”

Houston hopes for students and staff to get to know who he is as a person. He strives to be transparent and promote a healthier, safer school culture.

“I’m very passionate about the culture—knowing kids and knowing families. That’s what I want to bring on the campus,” Houston said. “Your first line of safety is making sure you feel safe around each other.”

While currently only two weeks into school, the students have noticed the changes and Mr. Houston’s attempts to uplift the school culture.

“I feel like he’s very into school activities. I always see him in the halls,” Bethany Richner, senior vice-president, said. “We [the class officers] talked to him about planning monthly meetings to better the school, and he seemed really into it.”

With the new principal eager to positively influence the school’s culture, it should certainly be an exciting year full of fresh changes!