Wayne Johnson is interim Port Aransas High School principal Wow! What a ride this has been for me to have been able to spend such quality time with the students and staff at Port Aransas High School. I only hope that the students and staff can reflect back on the time that we have spent together and feel that there has been some meaningful connection and growth from this experience.

I would like to take time to speak about the quality students who attend the high school and the instructional programs that are offered to the students. It was a real pleasure to get to know the students and realize what a good group they are.

I found that the students are extremely courteous and will make every effort to follow the rules. I am proud to say that manners are still a part of these young people’s day-to-day persona. This is not to say that we do not have a bump or two in the road, but as a general rule their overall intent is to please.

It is amazing the number of students who participate in numerous activities. We have students who represented our school in athletic endeavors, as well as participated on the UIL academic region championship team. It is remarkable to see the number of students who are participating in dual-credit college courses and who are also taking upper level advance placement classes. The diversity of the course offerings in the high school is incredible considering the size of the school and the number of students it serves. I find it refreshing to see that the students of our high school are so willing to meet the challenges of today’s society, both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities.

The community needs to be extremely proud of the quality of students that our schools are producing.

When I brag on the students and their accomplishments, I must in turn brag on the caring and compassionate staff that helps the students reach their goals. I applaud the level of instruction and dedication that the staff provides on a daily basis to meet the needs of all students.

In most schools, staff members are only required to have one preparation, at the most two assignments, but in our school they often have multiple assignments and do so without hesitation. These staff members spend countless hours above and beyond the regular school day to see that the needs of the students are met. I marvel at the quality and dedication of the staff considering the amount of testing that the state requires along with all of the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. Even under such mandates, the staff continues to perform at an exemplary level.

With all of this said, they still find time to attend AP training and various workshops to enhance their instructional skills to better serve the students of our district.

Thanks, staff! You are the best, and it is a real pleasure to have been able to be a small part of your world.

Last but not least, we need to thank a community who understands and realizes that it takes a whole community to educate children today. Your dedication and contributions to the Education Foundation make funds available to the staff, who can then provide those things that are impossible for the district to provide because of budgetary restraints caused by the state funding formula. It is obvious the community understands the value of students receiving a quality education and is willing to support those goals. This speaks volumes about the community.

Thanks, community, for your support and caring.

In closing, sometimes we tend to take these things for granted, but it is the way it is because good people have a plan and are willing to work that plan - people, who believe that failure is not an option for today’s youth.