Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina De Los Reyes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a small border town in a single parent household. My journey began when we moved to San Antonio. I was fifteen years old, just in time to start high school. In high school is where I learned about name brands. Trying to fit in, I remember asking my mom to buy me a pair of Guess jeans…. once she saw the price she told me, “estas loca”, translation, “you’re crazy” basically letting me know we couldn’t afford it. That’s when I realized we were poor and I had to work hard for what I wanted.
I always knew I wanted to go into a field where I could help people, specifically the youth. After graduating high school, I considered majoring in social work. I attended the University of Texas in San Antonio where I received my BA in Sociology. Soon after I began an alternative certification program while working on my master’s in education while teaching 5th grade. I then realized that what I enjoyed the most was when students wanted to talk to me about their problems. So I went back to school to receive my second masters in school counseling. I enjoyed being a counselor but being given so many administrative duties, I decided to take the extra hours needed to become a principal. Another factor was I needed to make more money since I bought my mom a house and was financially supporting her.
At this point, I was determined to become a principal and start a doctoral program. So I moved to Dallas knowing there was a need for bilingual administrators. Within a year I was accepted to the doctoral program at the University of North Texas and was promoted to assistant principal and a few years later to principal. Fast forward fifteenth plus years and I’m now living in Houston.
This is my sixteenth year in education and I have had the honor of working as a teacher, school counselor and administrator. Having served in these different leadership roles has prepared me to be an innovative and effective leader. I have a true passion for making a difference in students’ lives. I am passionate about enhancing and exposing my students to as much as possible to help them be successful. I want them to know that their dreams can come true if they apply themselves and make the effort.
I believe it is important to provide an environment that motivates students to excel academically, socially and emotionally in a climate of mutual respect. A learning community that promotes independence, builds confidence and strength in children that allows students to celebrate diversities and share commonalities.
As a servant leader, I put students first, as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of all my management actions. My role as a leader is to inspire excellence in the educational experience with enthusiasm. I am excited to work for a school that shares my core values, “Academic Excellence with a Heart!” and honored to be the new principal at Redd School.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I definitely had some challenges along the way. I was working full time as a 5th grade teacher and going to school full time to earn my masters. My first year teaching I was assigned a mentor, the problem was she didn’t mentor me and I was on my own. I think I learned more from my students my first year than anyone else could teach me. I always joke that I went through mid-life crisis at 24 years old. That’s the year I bought my mom a house and it was only my second year teaching. Well with all of our other expenses, a teacher salary alone wasn’t going to cut it. So I also tutored and worked the afterschool program.
When I finished my counseling degree, I took a job as a school counselor at a junior high. That was a very challenging year because of the commute and extra administrative duties assigned to me. I definitely wore many hats, I was the counselor, test coordinator, LPAC chairperson, and Gifted and Talented coordinator. All of which consisted of lots of paperwork and a principal that just kept saying all these extra duties would look good on my resume. On top of my full-time job, I had a part time job in the evenings doing group counseling with families that were mandated through court. So I was working about 14 hour days not including the commute.
Moving to Dallas was difficult because it was my first time leaving home, as well as preparing financially. I had to take out an equity loan to pay off my car and credit card debts in order to afford living in Dallas because now I would have a mortgage and rent. Needless to say, I was living paycheck to paycheck.
My biggest challenge has been adjusting to the district culture, whether it was Dallas ISD, Houston ISD, or Fort Bend ISD. Every district comes with their own systems and procedures….and of course politics.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Since it was established in 1969, the Redd School has proudly created a challenging, interdisciplinary curriculum that is complemented by a nurturing educational environment. Our school nurtures creativity, cultivates a love of learning and places value on academic excellence, good character, and team spirit. In essence, we aim at inspiring deep inquiry and true passion in lifelong learning.
Redd School is dedicated to challenging, engaging and nurturing all students. We offer a unique learning environment in which every aspect of the school has been specifically designed for individual learners. In our competitive society, it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. Therefore, we offer various clubs afterschool and engaging electives for all students K-8th grades on Friday, ranging from robotics to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
As Principal of Redd School, my job is to guide our staff as a servant leader and assure success for all through the 5 C’s: Collaboration, Communication, Consistency, Commitment and Caring. My passion is in making a difference by focusing on the whole child and helping students fulfill their potential by making learning fun.
At the core of the Redd School experience remains the remarkable connections made between students and faculty. Class sizes are limited, which allows our teachers to know your student exceptionally well. We embrace the diverse range of unique cultural, religious, and life experiences of our families.
I encourage you to visit our campus so that you can experience the energy, warmth and spirit of our community. As you walk through our classrooms you will understand why those of us who spend our days here have such an affection and passion for this excellent educational institution.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small border town south of San Antonio, Eagle Pass. I was a tomboy and I blame this on my older brother. We used to play with his Hot Wheels or wrap a towel around our neck and pretend to be superman.
When I wasn’t playing inside, I was usually outside playing games with the kids from our apartments, such as Red Rover and Hide and Seek. Another favorite game was playing kickball.
I was fearless and I was always taking on dares. From riding a bike downhill to racing with the boys. My mom reminds me of climbing a tree to get my upstairs neighbor attention to come out and play, I guess I was too lazy to climb the stairs and ring the doorbell.
I was always active and enjoyed sports and the outdoors.
Pricing:
- Tuition: Kindergarten – $6,450 – $645/10 payments
- Tuition: Grades 1-5 – $6,650 – $665/10 payments
- Tuition: Grades 6-8 – $6,850 – $685/10 payments
Contact Info:
- Address: 4820 Strack Road,
Houston, TX 77069 - Website: www.reddschool.com
- Phone: 281-440-1106
- Email: kdelosreyes@reddschool.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ReddSchool/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/ReddSchool1
Image Credit:
Rumila Talbot and Lollie Garay
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