Today we’d like to introduce you to Margarita Tovar.
Margarita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story begins in Mexico as my parents immigrated from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in hopes of providing a better future for my sister Veronica and I. Growing up, we went through the challenges that families in poverty experience and the ramifications of being seen as immigrants in a foreign country.
I always had a passion for literacy, which was fostered through my mother’s love for learning. She often took me to the Spring Branch Ring Library, where she would learn English in the library computers and I would sit for hours enjoying stories of girls who lived in a world very unfamiliar to mine.
In high school, I made the decision that I would be the first in my family to graduate from college and earn a career in teaching. I started as a Teaching Assistant at the age of 17 and that’s where my love for children expanded. I knew my future would be serving students who had childhoods similar to mine. I continued teaching in schools with vulnerable populations.
After ten years in education, I was selected to be the principal at Dogan Elementary at the age of 28 becoming one of the youngest principals in the district. While my age may be seen as a limitation, the experiences I have gone through have made the resilient and focused on my passion. I have overcome poverty, domestic violence and even the death of my husband. However, challenges only equip me to keep fighting for equity and opportunity for all children.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As I mentioned previously, my life has been full of obstacles that have made the road to success much more challenging than most people my age. I was constantly bullied in school as a student, from being called fat because my mother was a lunch lady and classmates said she would feed me extra to being called out for my Spanish accent. I can relate to the struggles my students go through and work tirelessly to prevent them by building a positive learning environment for our Dogan kids.
School Principal – Dogan Elementary School – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Dogan Elementary, aka Dogan Nation, is located in the heart of Houston’s Historic Fifth Ward. We are a school that is culturally responsive to the needs of all scholars ensuring high academic success for all students Pre-K – 5th Grade.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is the desire for continuous growth. I strongly believe that a high work ethic, a refined purpose and a super thick skin will make all your goals come true. It’s not simply enough to wish for something, you must put in the work! I see my purpose in this life as greater than me. Maya Angelou says, “I come as 1 but I stand as 10,000”. We are more than just ourselves, we are a representation of the aspirations our ancestors had for themselves and our future… make their sacrifices worth it!
Contact Info:
- Twitter: @MaggyTovar1
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