TEPSA Election - Lori Gallegos

Candidate for TEPSA Member At-Large

Lori Gallegos
Northside ISD
Region 20

Present Position

Director of Leadership Development, Northside ISD, Region 20, Grades PK-12

Formal Education

Trinity University, M.Ed. in Education Administration: 2000
University of Texas at San Antonio, M.A. in Education Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction: 1995
Texas Lutheran University, B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies: Specialization in Reading Education; Early Childhood Endorsement: 1992
University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia, International Student Exchange Program: Spring, 1991

Educational Leadership

Mentored 6 NISD Principals – 2007-2018
Presentations:
- “Journey to Dual Language: Deciding Which Road to Travel” NABE, TABE, & La Cosecha Dual Language Conference, Albuquerque
- “Developing Instructional Leadership through Principal Networks” Secondary School Summit HSTW/MMGW State Conference
- “Judgment and Problem Analysis: Decision Making and Problem Solving” Region 20 Cohort of Leadership Associates (Principal Alternative Certification)
- “The Learning Tree Program at Villarreal Elem” National Afterschool Association Conference
- Keynote Speaker at the UTSA Student Teacher Induction Ceremony

TEPSA Leadership/Involvement/Awards

National Distinguished Principal Texas State Finalist, 2017
Region 20 TEPSAN of the Year, 2022
TEPSA Standing Committee Member: Programs and Services Committee, 2023-2024
TEPSA Standing Committee Member: Nominating Committee & Advocacy Committee, 2022-2023
TEPSA Region 20 Past President 2022-2023
TEPSA Region 20 President 2021-2022
TEPSA Region 20 President Elect 2020-2021
TEPSA Region 20 2nd Vice President 2019-2020
TEPSA Region 20 Treasurer 2018-2019
TEPSA Summer Conference Session Reviewer, 2021 & 2022
TEPSA State Summer Conference Presenter, 2011
TEPSA Member 2000-Present

School Honors/Accomplishments

Kuentz Elementary named a Franklin Covey “Leader in Me” campus ultimately receiving Lighthouse School designation in 2019
Kuentz Elementary named the PepsiCo Recycle Rally National Champions in 2011 and in the Top 10 in the nation for 10 years, resulting in over $100,000 cash awards for the campus
Kuentz Elementary Student Council named a TEPSA Honor Council for 5 consecutive years
Kuentz Elementary Earned TEA Distinction Designation: Top 25 Percent: Comparative Closing the Gaps, 2019
Kuentz Elementary won over 10 awards from the city of Helotes for Best in Show (Parade Float and Walking Group) and First Place in non-profit category (Parade Float and Walking Group) at the Cornyval Parade and the Helotes Christmas Lights Parade between 2009-2019

Community Involvement

Northside ISD Council of PTA’s Principal of the Year Award 2011
School Community Relationships with local organizations including the Helotes Police and Fire Departments, the Helotes Cornyval Association, The Helotes Community Band, the South Texas Blood Bank
Campus Host of a daily COVID Food Distribution Site 2020-2021
Recycling Team Volunteer at the San Antonio Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade (2011-2019)
Volunteer at the Northside ISD/San Antonio Food Bank Distribution
Faith Formation Teacher, Zion Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX
Zion Theatre Group Volunteer, San Antonio, TX

Other Professional Networks

NAESP
Member of the TEPSA Advocacy Committee visiting legislators at the state capitol, 2023
Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (TXASCD) and Alamo Area (AAASCD)
N2 Learning Texas Principals Institute – Cohort 7
N2 Learning Executive Leaders Institute – Cohort 4
National School Leaders Network Group Facilitator 2009-2011
Book Study Co-Facilitator, Trinity University, 2011-2019
TEA Teacher Preparation Program Advisory Committee with the University of Texas at San Antonio, 2012-2013

Personal Information

My husband Matt and I have been married for 25 years. We have two amazing children, both products of our local public schools. Our son (18) is enrolled in the engineering program at Texas A&M University in College Station. Our daughter (14) is a freshman in our home district of Northside ISD where she is active in pep squad and musical theatre. We are a family who loves music and spends much of our time at concerts, musical theatre performances, and supporting the Texas Aggies! My greatest joy comes from time spent with family, and helping others discover how to lead through their strengths.

Platform Statement

TEPSA has been a part of my journey for 23 years, helping me become the leader I am today. As a principal and now at central office, I have relied on TEPSA for advocacy and networking. Although the ‘S’ in TEPSA represents supervisors, I also see the ‘S’ as support. Today’s principals are leading in a time like never before. We have come far in our post-Covid recovery, but know we will never go back to the type of leadership we once knew. We need a strong network that understands this new normal and can help leaders adapt to changing times. For this reason, I want to serve principals and TEPSA with a focus on support. Leadership involves all of us working together to advocate for the needs of our students and support the monumental work of principals. As a member of the executive board, I will help supervisors and other central office staff understand the real issues facing our leaders each day including safety, students’ mental health, lack of funding, and teacher shortages. As an advocate, I will share this message among districts and legislators to help them understand that our Texas Principals are truly superheroes. Despite challenges, they make the work look easy. No matter the struggle, they come to school each day with the grit and grace needed to lead schools, but they need help. It would be an honor to serve our Texas leaders because just like our students need strong principals, our principals need strong leaders advocating for their needs and supporting their work.