San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Principal Lourdes Medina
Lourdes Medina said ever since she was a kid, she loved reading, writing, and teaching others. Playing school with the neighborhood kids was something Medina did often while growing up in a border town. “I would take out my big, blackboard that my Daddy bought me and my chalk, and we would put it up in the living room, and I would say, ‘OK, we’re going to play school, and then we’ll play whatever you want,” she said. “I just loved being a teacher.”
Medina’s love of English led her to pursue a degree in communications. At one point, she thought about becoming a journalist. Medina listened to her mother, who advised her to get a teaching certificate, just in case. While student teaching, Medina realized that a career in education was something she wanted to pursue. She taught for 14 years at middle schools and four years at the high school level before deciding to be a principal. She has been in administration since 2006 and came to Stinson Middle School during the 2014-2015 school year. The campus at 13200 Skyhawk Drive is in the Northside Independent School District. Katherine Stinson Middle School is one of two dual language campuses in the district. Medina said that while she loved being a teacher, she believes she can have a greater impact as a principal. “I feel that I’m still a teacher, but I’m a teacher to not just students but to the adults on my campus.”
Stinson’s Academic Dean, Rick Lane, said via email that Medina is laser-focused on student success and the well-being of the whole child. “Her commitment to these concepts allows her to make consistent decisions for her staff, parents, and students,” said Lane. “We often ask, ‘What would Lou say?’” when we are making decisions without her because we know she will always say and do the right thing and be guided by what is best for all parties involved in the situation.” Medina was named ESC Region 20 TASSP 202021 Middle School Principal of the Year which is awarded to an outstanding principal associated with the organization. She was also named
ESC Region 20 W.O.R.L.D. Languages 2018 Principal of the Year which recognizes the efforts of outstanding administrators overseeing the implementation of bilingual, English as a Second Language, and/or Languages Other Than English programs on their campuses.
Last year, when the pandemic hit and schools had to switch to online instruction, Medina advised her staff to alter their teaching methods. “I told my teachers that we’re not going to teach every single thing that we would have in a 45-minute class period,” she said. When it comes to students and social media, Medina said it’s important to set really clear expectations. At Stinson, they have what’s called Stinson Behaviors that addresses things such as how students should move through the hallways and cellphone use. Medina allows students to use their phones before and after school, during lunch, and at the teacher’s discretion. “I think as long as kids know there’s a balance… as long as you give them clear expectations on anything, they’re going to be good.”