Turek bids farewell to Shiner Elementary

Shiner Elementary School Principal Michelle Turek has officially turned in her resignation, and will be moving to Wimberly to become an Assistant Superintendent. 
Her last day will be at the end of this month. “I start officially in Wimberly on July 1st, so it is important that I help transition the new leadership,” Turek said. “As soon as that is established in the next few weeks, I can hand over the keys and ensure a smooth transition and head on over to Wimberly.”
Turek said this is a bittersweet moment for her. She hopes students will remember that she loved them and cared for them. “This was always about their success, that’s what I hope I will be remembered for,” Turek said.
“I’ve left districts before, but this feels like I’m leaving my family because Shiner is so special and so wonderful. I felt every emotion when deciding to leave. You just don’t leave Shiner for anything; it has to be a very special position for me to consider leaving.”
Turek said the opportunity for this new position presented itself in a way that was “meant to be.” 
“I worked my entire life to change lives, and I’ve been a principal a long time,” Turek said. “I reached out for this position and got some more information and the rest is history. It was a quick process. It’s not one I was seeking out, but it fell into my lap and sometimes you have to believe in those things and take the opportunity when they present themselves in the right way.
It would take so much to leave Shiner; Shiner is wonderful, and my home and family are here. It was a very difficult decision, but for this type of position I felt like this was something that would allow me to spread my wings a little bit and try something different.”
Turek will be responsible for supporting the district superintendent and having leadership on different campuses. She will also help out with district level testing. 
She said her experience as a Shiner Elementary School Principal will help her with her new position. “Wimberly is a similar environment to Shiner,” Turek said. 
“Shiner has prepared me so much in my leadership journey. I’ve been trusted to lead incredible teachers and work side by side with even better kids. 
That has put forth that trajectory for me to be successful. I don’t know where I’d be right now if it weren’t for Shiner.”
Some accomplishments that Turek has achieved in her tenure according to her is helping SISD become a “Capturing Kids Hearts” recognized district, having teachers and staff that have improved in all areas, and having a culture of trust between all students and staff. 
She also has personally received “Educator of the Year” for Shiner.
Turek said she is going to miss the personal connections she made with students and staff. “It’s very emotional,” Turek said. 
“Not everywhere can you stand at the front door and see every child from Pre-K to 12th grade. In the mornings, it was really important that we as principals were visible. 
That’s something you don’t get everywhere else. With kids, to be able to stand at the front door and sense how their moods were, wave at their parents and establish that ‘I see you, I love you, and I’m glad that you’re here.’ That was really special and that will be hard to reproduce.”
“Also, working with top-tier world class teachers is special. You don’t get that everywhere. There are teachers at SISD who genuinely care about their kids and their kids’ families. 
It’s hard to recreate that and that’s something that I’ll never take for granted. These teachers are incredible. 
They’re a very resilient and incredible staff and, no matter what comes their way, they meet those challenges head-on. 
They have proven themselves time and time again to be the very best and I look forward to watching their continued success as Shiner Elementary teachers. They are world class and very hard to duplicate. Shiner is so special because of the people inside the building who love their students.”
Turek’s leadership philosophy was to always do what was best for the students at SISD. “That mentality will carry me through, whether I’m serving in a 2-A district like Shiner or a 4-A district like Wimberly,” Turek said. 
“As long we’re always focusing on what’s best for our students, that will always be my guiding light as a leader. Always making sure I’m doing what’s best for our kids, no matter what.”
Turek is excited to embark on this new journey and trying something new. 
“I’m taking a chance, and if our students can do the same thing, then that’s an incredible example and I hope that they can learn from that,” Turek said.
SISD has not announced a new principal for the elementary school yet. Turek said she has one major advice for the next principal. 
“My advice would be to look and observe and see the greatness that is taking place,” Turek said. 
“Sit in that feeling and trust that feeling and the students and staff will feel safe in that new leadership.” 
Turek said she hopes to be a part of the culture of Shiner for as much as possible, but also she understands that a new leader will bring new ideas. 
“I want to ensure that the new leader has that ability, but I’m always here because my heart is still a part of Shiner in some way shape or form,” Turek said.