📺WATCH📺: Randi Maldonado tells us how she feels about coming to Arp, America.
"Joining your district is a privilege, and I can’t wait to begin this journey," said new Arp Junior High School Principal Randi Maldonado.
A Jacksonville native and alum, Mrs. Maldonado comes to Arp, America with two decades of experience in public school education.
Building strong relationships has been part of her foundation ever since she began teaching at her alma mater in 2005.
"That's one of the biggest things that I am going to bring with me so that we can all work together as a family, and come up with ways to help our school and our kids be as successful as they can be," Maldonado explained.
She also believes relationships are a great way to reach junior high age students.
"As much as some junior high kids may not admit it, relationships are very important for them," said Maldonado. Getting in there, getting to know the kids, building those positive relationships with them, that's going to help them."
Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles and grade levels, all at Jacksonville ISD. After teaching biology for a semester at Jacksonville High School, Maldonado moved to JISD's East Side Elementary where she taught for five years.
She then transitioned to Jacksonville Middle School for the next four years where she taught newcomers, algebra, and pre-algebra before becoming the school counselor at East Side for the following 4 years.
For the past six years, she's served as an assistant principal at JISD's Fred Douglass and Joe Wright Elementary Schools.
"Each experience has shaped me, taught me, and deepened my passion for education and leadership. Most of all, I’ve been blessed by the people I’ve met and the students I’ve served," Maldonado stated.
Along with the importance of relationships, Maldonado's administrative philosophy focuses on doing what’s best for students and staff.
"Leading with a balance of high expectations, hard work, and heart," she said. But that's not all. "Of course, taking time to celebrate the good things — and when we can, having fun!"
Maldonado graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1998, and later earned her degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
She and her husband still reside in Jacksonville. They have four children, and one grandchild.
"I have heard so many amazing things about Arp ISD's staff and students. I'm excited to be an Arp Tiger," she exclaimed.