As teachers return to schools this week, four new principals are signing on to work. 

While they were at a retreat Friday, InMaricopa sat down with each principal to ask three questions meant to gauge their education philosophy as they enter the new role. 

Here are their answers, some of which have been very lightly edited for readability.

Principal Karen Vieira, Pima Butte Elementary School

This former reading specialist and curriculum coordinator has roots in both Chicago and Arizona.

A year from now, how will you gauge your own success?
I actually gave this question a lot of thought. How do you gauge success as a whole, anyway? For me, it’s going to be my staff: excited, united, returning and looking forward to what’s to come, like that, ‘What’s next?’ I want them to always have that kind of energy. Pima Butte has a reputation for being a stellar campus, excellent educators. I want to continue that legacy. And I’ll know I’m there if my teachers are returning and just excited about what’s next.

What’s the best way to inspire a student to do hard things?
Listen. Hear them. Be present and model for them that positive encouragement. Let them know that you got them, and that everything they do, small or huge, that they’re all important. Every single thing they do makes a difference in who they are and how they’re going to move forward.

What’s the best book you’ve read or movie you’ve watched this summer?
I’ve probably read about 15 books so far this year. I’m a crazy reader. Professionally, I was recommended Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Jen Robinson at Maricopa Elementary School. It’s just this approach to teaching math that looks at it differently and allows every child to access it. As a reading person and reading specialist, math was always a struggle for me, and as I’m going through this book, I’m thinking, ‘Where was this when I was a kid?’ It’s engaging. It’s a wonderful process. I’ve already mentioned it to some of my staff. We’re going to do a book study on it and hopefully implement it right away.
A movie? I took my daughter to see Wicked live before watching the movie. She’s a Broadway hound since I took her to Hamilton in New York City. I’m a huge musical fan, classic film buff and definitely sci-fi/fantasy. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, those kinds of things.

Principal Kevin Sotomayor, Maricopa High School

This Texas native brings nearly 30 years in education: seven as a teacher, 22 as an administrator.

A year from now, how will you gauge your own success?
I always measure my success by the success of those that I serve. Plain and simple. Are my students showing up? Are they happy? Do they have the support they need? Are they graduating, going to the next steps: college, military, career, whatever success means to them? For my staff: are they successful? Do they have what they need? What’s the culture like on campus? Are they utilizing me as support, as a thought partner?

My first principal told me: ‘Hire great people, give them everything they need to be successful, then get out of their way.’ I’ve taken that for over 20 years. My success is seeing my students and staff thrive, some move on to district leadership, some stay because they love it. I take pride in that. Like a coaching tree, I want to keep adding branches.

What’s the best way to inspire a student to do hard things?
It starts with relationships. Kids need to see me, that I’m available. It’s never ‘not right now.’ Their perspective is their reality. Listen. Support them. And be vulnerable. I joined guitar club. I don’t know how to play, but I want kids to see me struggle and persevere, ask for help. So when something is hard, they remember that I did it too. One of my proudest moments was running into a former student at Safeway, he said, ‘You always told me I could do it. You believed in me. I didn’t get that from my parents.’ And now he’s in college. That’s why I do this.

What’s the best book you’ve read or movie you’ve watched this summer? 
Movie: The Penguin Lessons, an indie film, true story, a little sad but inspiring.

Book: I reread The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. He’s my favorite author. I learn something new every time I read it. It inspired me to plan the actual Camino de Santiago pilgrimage that the book is about. It’s about starting something new and reframing your mindset. Perfect timing for starting this new principalship.

Planning Principal Elizabeth Allison, Sorrento K–8 school

Allison is overseeing the planning of one of two new K-8 schools in Sorrento. We asked for a hint about what she wants to name it. She wouldn’t say. She’s got a lot to plan before its scheduled opening in exactly one year’s time. 

A year from now, how will you gauge your own success?
This looks a little different for me, because I won’t have students, staff or a physical building yet. So, I’ll measure success through having a fully equipped facility ready for Maricopa’s growth, being fully staffed, having robust programs ready to implement, developed professional development, and strong parent and community involvement from the start.

What’s the best way to inspire a student to do hard things?
I strongly believe kids work for those they trust and respect. So, it’s about building safety and trust, modeling behaviors, and teaching perseverance, grit and drive. I focus on encouraging perseverance over perfection. It’s about helping them feel encouraged when they don’t feel that themselves — helping them build courage and confidence when things are hard.

What’s the best book you’ve read or movie you’ve watched this summer?
Books: The Awesome Human Project by Nataly Kogan. It’s about self-reflection, self-awareness, and taking care of yourself so you can be a better leader. Also, Culturize by Jimmy Casas, which I just read a second time. It’s about growing leadership and developing strong school culture. Even though there’s no building or staff yet, I’m using this to think through culture now: Hiring the right people, setting expectations.

Movie: Honestly, I haven’t had time to watch any movies this summer. 

Principal Christine Dickinson, Butterfield Elementary School

A longtime Maricopa educator, this former technology director steps into the principal role at BES.

A year from now, how will you gauge your own success?
I want to see the same faces coming back from the year before. I want staff to be proud to be part of the Butterfield family, to show up daily ready to lead with the mindset that they’re the teacher every child deserves. So — staff retention, families returning and kids excited to come to school every day — that’s what I’ll look for.

What’s the best way to inspire a student to do hard things?
Students, like adults, want recognition. The key is to figure out how they want to receive it. Celebrate small wins. Sometimes it’s just a child remembering to bring their lunchbox. It’s finding those moments to say, ‘Thank you for remembering.’ That positive feedback builds relationships. When students feel heard and seen, they feel inspired.

What’s the best book you’ve read or movie you’ve watched this summer?
Book: Strengths-Based Leadership. MUSD Superintendent Dr. Lopeman introduced it to us five years ago. I’ve been reflecting on where my strengths are as a professional and how I can encourage others based on their strengths.

Movie: Wicked. My 11-year-old son is obsessed with it. We’ve seen the movie several times and also saw the live performance. The play tells the whole story, where the movie is just the first half. We also watched the Peacock sing-along version.