Preparing students for their futures

Killough principal Pamela Flores announced as 2018 Communities in Schools Educator of the Year

Killough+principal+Pam+Flores%2C+her+husband+Raul+Flores+and+her+parents+Charles+and+Mary+Pfiester+celebrate+Pamelas+2018+Communities+in+Schools+Educator+of+the+Year+award.%0ACourtesy+of+Greg+Weghorst.

Killough principal Pam Flores, her husband Raul Flores and her parents Charles and Mary Pfiester celebrate Pamela’s 2018 Communities in Schools Educator of the Year award. Courtesy of Greg Weghorst.

After being a principal for six years at DeLay Middle School and five at Killough, Pamela Flores was announced as the 2018 Communities in Schools Educator of the Year following a nomination by CIS site coordinator Ally Barnett. Flores feels honored to have received this award from an organization committed to helping students.

“It’s hard to put how honored I am into words,” Flores said. “It’s one of the most cherished awards I have ever received. I get to work with so many great educators around the Dallas Metroplex and I am fortunate to represent them all. Educators believe in service to kids and this award embodies that purpose.”

With her love for kids and guiding students, Flores became a principal and wanted to set high expectations to help her students reach any goals they desired. Flores trusts that both her students and staff know she’s always there to help shape them into outstanding people because she loves and supports them wholeheartedly.

“The main reason I became a principal was to have the ability to help not only students but to also help teachers be the best they can be,” Flores said. “At Killough, we respect kids, hold them to high standards and want them to be prepared for their futures in every way possible.”

Assistant principal Joel Leader admires Flores’ willingness to help her students despite how busy her schedule might be. Leader describes Flores as a loving, caring and compassionate principal because of the time she dedicates to getting to know her students and staff.

“The love she shows for students is the same love she shows for teachers,” Leader said. “She is always thinking of ways to better serve both students and teachers. Teachers at Killough respect Mrs. Flores and work hard because she works hard. She definitely sets the tone for the entire building.”

Out of all of the principals Barnett has worked with, Flores stands out because she goes the extra mile for her students. Flores quickly became a role model to Barnett after she became Barnett’s boss four years ago.

“She is the best educator I’ve worked with because she puts her students first,” Barnett said. “She is a really hard worker [with] so many years of experience behind her and she brings that experience into her work.”

Barnett nominated Flores because she notices how Flores works diligently behind the scenes.

“She’s supported the Communities in Schools so much for so many years that I think it was time for her to be recognized for her support,” Barnett said. “She does everything she can to make sure you guys have the best high school experience possible. She does a great job supporting her staff [and] she sacrifices a lot to help us be the school we are.”

Knowing this award was high recognition because Leader believes multiple great educators work with Communities in Schools, he felt proud after finding out Flores won Educator of the Year.

“Mrs. Flores has taught me to never lose sight of what’s really important about the work we do,” Leader said. “So often we as educators get bogged down with all of the many tasks we must complete that we forget why we do what we do—to positively impact students’ lives.”