Santa Cruz Catholic School principal Susan Ellen Flanagan, cheerfully professes a simple philosophy: “All children can learn and be successful.” (photo by Jim Cullen)
By Jennifer Eckhardt
Special to the Hays Free Press
Buda’s Santa Cruz Catholic School is excited to announce the arrival of its new principal, Susan Ellen Flanagan. Flanagan brings experience that is broad and deep, garnered from her 36-year career in both public and private education arenas.
She began her teaching career at St. Veronica Catholic School in Howell, N.J., then moved on to Dallas and Galveston-area schools. Prior to coming to Santa Cruz, Flanagan served six years as principal of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Texas City.
The principal’s academic training includes a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Science in Education as a reading specialist. She obtained her Mid-Management Certification, later adding a Gifted and Talented Endorsement to her professional credentials.
Even a short visit with Flanagan makes it clear that she is devoted to the children and their success. “More than anything, I love being able to make a difference in the lives of my students,” she says.
Her list of accomplishments at Our Lady of Fatima was impressive. Academically, she was able to strengthen the curriculum, add new staff and teaching positions, and create an Accelerated Math program. While adding 7th and 8th grades, she instituted new programs that included athletics, National Junior Honor Society and Student Council. She also faced great challenges when Hurricane Ike necessitated renovation of two wings of her school.
Flanagan served the larger academic community in leadership positions such as Regional Coordinator for the Galveston-Houston Region E Principals and worked as Mentor Principal for the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.
Santa Cruz, now in its fifth year after a 2007 opening, will serve grades Pre-K-6th, with future plans for 7th-8th. The school opened with 15 students, but this year is poised to serve more than 160 students. “We are still a new school, with great potential for growth,” Flanagan says, adding she is looking forward to “adding new grades and expanding class offerings at every level.” Stating that she is “excited” to work with the Santa Cruz staff, Flanagan says she is “thrilled to be a part of a great group of teachers, staff, parents and parishioners – all dedicated to the success of the school and students it serves.”
As for her philosophy of education, Flanagan says hers is simple – “All children can learn and be successful. We intend to give our students every opportunity to be successful.”
